Tag: Conferences

Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection West Coast – January 24-26 San Francisco, CA

The premiere anti-counterfeiting and brand protection event goes West!

Despite tremendous efforts, our economies continue to suffer from a sharp increase in trade in fake and pirated goods, aided by the Internet which has made it easier for buyers and sellers of counterfeit goods to come together and also to distribute pirated music, movies and software. In order to ensure these traffickers of illegal goods don’t win this war, governments, law enforcement and brands must continue to engage with one another and to work toward a common goal.

To facilitate this, IQPC and Legal IQ are proud to invite you to take part in our next meeting, Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection West Coast taking place January 24 – 26, 2011, at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA. CLE Credits Are Available.  For More Information and to Register:  http://ow.ly/3tpSp

 

 

Law2020™- What Will It Take for Law Firms to Thrive?

The Business of Law guest blogger at the National Law Review this week is Meredith L. Williams of Baker Donelson. Meredith examines three areas:  Law firm Technology, Firm Characteristics and the Skill set Lawyers and makes educated predictions on how successful will look.  

Law2020™ is the brainchild of Bryan Cave’s Strategic Technology Partner John Alber and the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA).  I have had the privilege of working with John and the ILTA organization over the past 4 years as a part of the conferencing planning committee.  This year I am serving as a Conference Vice-President for the upcoming international conference being held in Nashville, TN from August 21st – 25th, 2011.

The concept of Law2020™ is based upon an anticipation of the legal industry encountering the same market dynamics that have challenged the newspaper industry since 2000-2010.  The online environment changed newspapers’ production, employment and consumption.  The ACC Value Challenge has placed law firms under a microscope like that the newspaper industry is under, thus requiring the legal industry to make strategic changes to meet the new needs of clients.  Will law firms see a similar shift due to the economy and the changing client landscape?  What can law firms learn from the newspaper industry and those papers that survived?   The real question for forward-thinking law firms is not what will it take for law firms to survive in the year 2020, but what will it take to thrive?

We will look at this concept from 3 perspectives:

1.       What technologies will successful law firms need in 2020?

2.       What will be the characteristics of successful law firms in 2020?

3.       What will be the skill set of successful lawyers and staff in 2020?

What technologies will law firms need in 2020?

Technology will continue to play a large role, as it does today, in the advancement of law firms in the year 2020.  The key trends of technology will center on legal project management, alternative fee arrangements, transparency, and mobility.

The majority of law firms are starting to look at legal project management and alternative fee arrangement  tools.  Although these are new concepts for law firms, the thought process behind both is not new.  Lawyers are already using use many tools to help manage their files.  However, the idea of pre-planning is new;  taking a step back and visualizing the entire case or deal and mapping out the various steps and risks to reach an end result, as well as the cost of each step.  Tasking, budgeting and knowledge management tools will continue to grow exponentially over the next 10 years as a result of client desire for more understanding and control.  Intranets, budget tools, tasking applications, and other project management tools will be in high demand.

A lesson learned through the WikiLeaks scandal is that transparency of information is now expected, not just desired. The same can be said of law firm clients.  Clients crave both an advocate and a partner.  They want to understand everything that a lawyer is doing for them, they want the lawyer to fix problems, and they want the lawyer to help manage risk. Tools such as extranets provide the client with a full view of all case and deal materials; these are now being  used by many law firms in the U.S.  Over the next 10 years, clients will have access to risk management tools via these legal service platforms.  Clients will be able to use online legal services provided by law firms to run their businesses and comply with new regulations and laws.

The number one trend law firms must deal with is mobility.  The IPad, IPhone, Blackberry and other mobile device growth over the past few years is an indication of what individuals will be expecting in the coming years.  All people, including clients, want to access their applications and information when, where, and how they want.  As mentioned earlier, extranets and information sharing will increase over the next decade.  In addition, video capabilities and cloud computing will be prominent technologies for all law firms.  Law firms are expanding; however, there is a desire to cut expenses but keep the personal interaction.  Video via conferencing, web cams, etc. can make this happen.  Law firms are also looking to the Cloud as an opportunity to cut slim expenses and create complete mobile enviroments.  Whether a firm chooses to place all critical application in the Cloud or only a few,  Cloud use will continue to grow in the legal industry.

What will be the characteristics of law firms in 2020?

As technology changes over the next 10 years, so will the characteristics of law firms.  Much of this will be a result of the changing landscape of clients. Additonally, management will shift to accommodate a new generation with different expectations.  Other new resources include the virtual law firm, outsourcing, partnership track changes, increased risk sharing with clients and possible investments by non-lawyers.

Virtual law firms and lawyer mobility will increase.  Brick and mortar buildings will not go away, but we will see an increase of lawyers choosing to work for a firm while at home or in a different location.  In addition, legal process outsourcing will appear in law firms over the coming years.  Many firms are venturing into this field with document review and other e-discovery tasks.  Clients are pushing to keep expenses low and no longer want to pay large costs for firms to do document review tasks, when these can be outsourced for half the cost.

As noted in the alternative fee arrangements and transparency discussion, clients are looking for a partner to help bear some of the risk with their representation.  Many clients will not pay the typical billable hour.  They want to hire firms that are willing to share this risk and allow for different methods of payment.  Some want flat fees with exceptions or bonuses based upon the efforts of the law firms.  With these new methods of revenue for a law firm, the traditional path to partnership, currently based primarily on billable hour requirements, will change.  How law firms react to this will determine whether they retain their lawyer resources.

One law firm characteristic available in other countries is the ability to have law firm investment by non-lawyers.  Allowing non-lawyers to invest in the firm creates more loyalty to the law firm and the work the non-lawyer is doing for the firm and clients.  It is something US firms will consider as the economic shift continues to reshape law firms as we know it.

What will be the skill set of lawyers and staff in 2020?

We have now taken a look at what technologies will be used by law firms in 2020 and what a law firm will look like.  The bigger question is what skills will be required by lawyers and staff in 2020?  Efficiency of the law practice, a streamline business model, relationship building and marketing via social media and the capability to work via a new legal service platform will dominate the skills of lawyers in 10 years.

As discussed above, the economy and client expectations will drive many changes in the legal industry, including the skill sets needed to practice and support the practice. To be specific, lawyers will begin to hone their practices to increase efficiency.  This will be mainly a result of the increase in LPM and AFAs.  By breaking down different areas of law into steps and risks, lawyers will better understand each step and will find ways to deliver a better quality work product at a lower cost.

In addition, law firms will begin to consider streamlining certain tasks through administrative staffs to create better business processes.  For example, layering secretaries with 5-6 attorneys and then creating an additional level of executive assistants to provide project management and client communication is something new that law firms will consider.  This will allow new alternative paths for legal staff.

Lawyers also need to learn to market and build relationships via social media. This is the biggest change we have seen over the past few years, and the usage is drastically increasing.  This new form of communication and collaboration needs to be harnessed for a lawyers to reach certain clients with younger and innovative leadership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the legal profession will see changes over the next decade.  How a firm adapts to the changes in the practice of law and client needs will determine whether that firm will survive.  For additional information regarding Law2020™, please visit the International Legal Technology Association Peer to Peer Magazine on the concept.

©2010 Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

The 15th Annual ABA National Institute on the Gaming Law Minefield Feb 24-25 LasVegas

The 2011 Gaming Law Minefield program is specifically designed to provide in-depth coverage and discussion of the cutting-edge legal, regulatory, and ethical issues confronting both commercial and Native American gaming. Attorneys, compliance officers, Native American leaders, regulators, and legislators will all provide invaluable insights into current trends, opportunities and obstacles in the gaming industry. The program’s subject matter includes new gaming technology, increased IRS CTR and SAR compliance audit activity, Internet gaming, Native American gaming, breaking hot topics in the gaming industry, latest developments in dealing with problem gamblers, and a two-hour CLE-certified ethics program.

The Gaming Law Minefield program constitutes one of the most comprehensive, state-of-the-law gaming programs available. Program attendees have consistently rated the program as a valuable educational experience that provides participants with the opportunity to meet and talk with a wide variety of gaming law experts and leading state and Native American regulators.

Early Bird Registration ends January 24th. For More Information:  Click Here:

Inside Counsel Transformative Leadership Awards – Entry Deadline: October 29, 2010

Inside Counsel is inviting you to help them shine the spotlight on law firms and law departments that have achieved demonstrable results related to increasing opportunities for the empowerment of women in law by submitting a nomination for the 2011 Transformative Leadership Awards.  The Awards honor women general counsel and law firm partners who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in corporate law. 

If your firm or legal department has made momentous progress in elevating women to leadership positions, developed significant paths of advancement for women, or has a considerable number of women on key executive, compensation or equity partnership committees, then click here to nominate them for an award.

InsideCounsel magazine’s Editor-In-Chief, Cathleen Flahardy, in conjunction with Allstate Insurance Company’s SVP, General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer, Michele Coleman Mayes, will again co-chair the National Awards Committee to select the 2011 winners.

In 2011, seven total awards are will be presented: three awards for in-house counsel, three awards for law firms and one shared award for both law firm and in-house counsel.

 

Sixth Annual General Counsel Institute Presented by NAWL Nov. 4th & 5th New York, NY

The National Law Review would like to spread the word about an upcoming event presented by NAWL (The National Association of Women Lawyers) .November 4-5, 2010 • Westin New York at Times Square

NAWL’s  Sixth Annual General Counsel Institute, is targeted to women general counsel and senior in-house counsel who want to build top-tier professional and management skills to improvetheir interaction with C-suite executives and the functioning of their legal departments.   The Institute provides a unique opportunity for women corporate counsel, in a supportive and interactive environment, to learn from leading experts and experienced legal colleaguesabout the pressure points and measurements of success for general counsel.

Who should attend?

Senior corporate counsel of public, private, large and small companies, non-profits, government, and educational institutions.

Registration is limited to in-house counsel. Scholarships are available; see “Upcoming Events” at www.nawl.org for a full conference schedule and more details.

Questions about the program?

Contact: Jonathan Becks, Program Coordinator, NAWL: 312.988.6186, becksj@nawl.org

Picking the Perfect Jury:What Should Be Done About the Problem of Race-Based Exemptions ABA Teleconference & Live Audio Webcast – October 21st

The National Law Review would like to make you aware of an upcoming ABA Teleconference and Live Webcast which has been approved for Elimination of Bias Credits in applicable jurisdications as well as CLE credit — Picking the Perfect Jury:What Should Be Done About the Problem of Race-Based Exemptions: 

Program Description

As recently reported in the New York Times, “Today, the practice of excluding blacks and other minorities from Southern juries remains widespread” and, according to the Equal Justice Initiative and defense lawyers, is “largely unchecked.” There is a continuing indifference to prosecutors’ race-based exclusions of prospective jurors.  Prosecutors have learned how to claim that their exclusions are race-neutral, even where they do not exclude white jurors whose answers during jury selection are indistinguishable from those of jurors of color whom the same prosecutors do exclude.

At this program, the renowned Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson, will discuss his organization’s June 2010 report on this subject (a report which was the basis for the Times story and other media reports) and will join with other expert panelists and discussing the report’s implications and what those who attend this program can do to rectify this situation.  There will be special focus on Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

CLE Credit

1.0 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states/1.2 hours of CLE credit in 50-minute states have been requested in states accrediting ABA teleconferences and live audio webcasts.*

NY-licensed attorneys: This non-transitional CLE program has been approved for experienced NY-licensed attorneys in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Board for 1.0 total NY CLE credits.

Elimination of bias credit has been requested in states with elimination of bias requirements.

The following states accept ABA teleconferences for CLE credit:
AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

*States currently not accrediting ABA teleconferences: DE, IN, PA, KS, OH

Teleconference / Live Audio Cast Hours: 

4:30 PM-5:30 PM Eastern

3:30 PM-4:30 PM Central

2:30 PM-3:30 PM Mountain

1:30 PM-2:30 PM Pacific

To Register or for More Information: 

Register by Phone:  800.285.2221 / Monday – Friday 
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Event Code: cet0rbe   http://bit.ly/dkP9EQ

National Forum on Clinical Integration Washington DC Nov. 16th-17th

The National Law Review is a  media sponsor of the National Forum on Clinical Integration  Monday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Hilton Washington Embassy Row, Washington, DC   

Use Discount Code “NLR” and receive a $200 discount off your registration.

Health Care Reform is now a reality. You’ve heard the basics – now it’s time to learn the practical answers and solutions for developing long-term sustainability of commercial and PPACA integrated models

There is no time to waste – You must have strategies for forming, structuring, and implementing Accountable Care Organizations and other integrated models to stay competitive in the evolving health care market

Come to one forum that will help you understand how ACOs and other integrated models can be reconciled with existing delivery structures

The National Forum on Clinical Integration is your premiere guide to navigating the complexities of structuring and implementing Accounting Care Organizations and other integrated health care models in the wake of landmark Health Care Reform legislation.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) expressly creates specific measures to curb, transform, and reduce spending while increasing quality of care through the introduction of ACO pilot programs that will have a tremendous impact on the legal and compliant structure, organization, and implementation of integrated care and health care delivery systems.

CLE credit has been approved in NY and CA  accreditation will be sought in those jurisdictions requested by the registrants which have continuing education requirements.

Register now – Space is Limited and Seats Are Already Filling Up Fast
www.AmericanConference.com/ACOForum   Also remember to use Discount Code “NLR” and receive a $200 discount off your registration.

Fast Track Mastership of Legal Social Media- One Day Seminar / Webinar Oct. 21st Washington DC

The National Law Review would like to make you aware of a one day seminar / webinar presented by MyLegal.com designed to help lawyers gain a fast track mastership of legal social media. 

“I don’t think it’s too late to embrace social networking, it just rather disappoints me that other professions use these technologies, and lawyers for some reason are always rather late to the party. I have little doubt that within five years, social media, social networking systems, will play a central role in the daily lives of lawyers.”  Richard Susskind, September 2010.

The conference will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010, at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The conference will sell out at 300 on-site participants, so we will be introducing to the legal community a new technology called SMASH.  This technology aggregates the video stream of the sessions, along with the tweets, blogs and photos related to the conference, in one convenient landing page, allowing off-site attendees to experience the conference in a unique and interactive way.

By following the conference Twitter conversation directly from the SMASH page, off-site attendees can join in the live conversation while simultaneously seeing the speaker and checking out the live conference photos.  These are interactions and connections that might not otherwise have been made. 

After the conference, registered users will have access to the video of the sessions, along with the speaker presentations.  The sessions will also be available via iTunes, allowing registered users to listen and learn while on the way to work, running errands or housework (ugh)!  Multi-tasking is King!  After listening to the sessions, users can continue the conversation and commentary online.

Conference speakers / topics scheduled to be included are:

Matthew Asbell, Esq., Certified Legal Social Media Strategist will speak on the use and protection of trademarks in social media marketing.

Nicole Black, Esq., founder of lawtechTalk.com and co-author of “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier” will speak on social media for lawyers.

Larry Bodine, Esq., legal marketing expert and author of the Lawmarketing Blog will speak on business development with LinkedIn.

Steve Crandall, J.D., expert in digital media and business applications of social networks will speak on social media and the law.

Adrian Dayton, Esq., author of “Social Media for Lawyers: Twitter Edition” and the “Legal Marketing: Social Media Edition” blog will speak on starting to bringing in business with social media

Carolyn Elefant, Esq., creator of MyShingle.com, the longest running blog on solo and small firm practice, and co-author of “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier” will speak on social media for lawyers.

Sharon Nelson, Esq., author of the electronic evidence blog “Ride the Lightning” and co-host of the ABA podcast series “The Digital Edge:  Lawyers and Technology” will speak on on social media: ethical, compliance, E-discovery and liability implications.

Conrad Saam, runs marketing for Avvo, where he oversees the firm’s SEM, SEO, social media, online marketing, email and web analytics initiatives will speak on getting the most out of Avvo.

John Simek, co-author of “The Electronic Evidence and Discovery Handbook: Forms, Checklists and Guidelines” and “Information Security for Lawyers and Law Firms” will speak on on social media: ethical, compliance, E-discovery and liability implications.

For more information, conference schedules and registration forms, please visit:  http://mylegalmedia.com or call 253-405-7910.

ABA's Fourth Annual National Institute on Criminal Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights November 5th San Francisco, CA

The National Law Review is proud to support the ABA’s Fourth Annual National Institute on Criminal Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights November 5th at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA. 

This comprehensive, one-day program will provide in-depth information concerning the complex issues that arise in connection with criminal enforcement of intellectual property rights (primarily involving trade secrets, copyright, and trademarks). The program consists of five panels whose members are key government insiders; policy makers; Assistant U.S. Attorneys; defense counsel; trade group leaders; and rights holders. Panel topics focus on current issues, trends, legal strategies, private industry case development and criminal referral, parallel proceedings and ethical issues in intellectual property enforcement.

This program brings together defense attorneys, prosecutors, members of law enforcement, policy makers, and business leaders to discuss hot topics and legal trends in the rapidly evolving field of intellectual property enforcement.

Mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) accreditation has been requested from all states which require continuing legal education. 5.75 hours of CLE credit have been requested from those states recognizing a 60-minute credit hour and 6.90 hours of CLE credit have been requested from those states recognizing a 50-minute credit hour.

For more information & to register – click here:

ABA 13th Annual National Institute of Banking Law Basics Oct 27 -29 Boston, MA

The National Law Review is proud to support the American Bar Association Business Law Section, the ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education, and the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law of Boston University School of Law‘s two-and-one-half day primer on banking law. If you need the basics, you can’t afford to miss this program. Attendance is limited. 

Attend this program and learn what you need to know about:

·         Who regulates whom, why and how

·         The structure and intent of bank regulation

·         The impact of Gramm-Leach-Bliley and Dodd-Frank

·         The role of capital

·         Prudential limitations

·         Permitted investments and activities of banks, bank holding companies and financial holding companies

·         Insurance, securities and capital market activities of banks and bank affiliates

·         Geographic expansion and mergers and acquisitions

·         Supervision and enforcement

·         Failing banks and actions against affiliated persons

This fundamental banking law course was developed to provide practitioners with an understanding of the basic laws and regulations governing banks and bank holding companies. This course is a comprehensive introduction to banking law regulation for attorneys, consultants, and bank professionals who intend to work in the field. It is also a refresher course for experienced banking law practitioners whose practice has not provided an opportunity for the broad exposure that this course offers. This course includes a two-hour segment on ethical considerations in the representation of banking organizations.

Date: October 27 — 29 2010
Location: Boston University School of Management
Fl 4 – Executive Leadership Ctr
595 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215-1704
USA
Requested CLE Credit: 18.50

For More Information and to Register: Click Here.