Schedule and Faculty

Sunday, August 1

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

 OPENING EVENT

"Great Food, Great Music, and More" at Grandma’s Sports Garden

Live music and great food in a family-friendly setting. A private performance has been scheduled just for our group.

sponsored by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

(If you register online for the conference, please CALL us at 651-227-8266 or 800-759-8840 to make your reservations for this Opening Event.)

Monday, August 2

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE DECC

8:30 – 8:40 a.m.

CONFERENCE INTRODUCTION

8:40 – 9:25 a.m.

 OPENING ADDRESS

"Building the Service-Centered Firm: 11 Ways to Identify Your Best Clients and Serve Them Well"

Back by popular demand! Matthew Homann, St. Louis, Missouri, LexThink founder and practicing attorney, is back with another great kick-off address.

– Matthew Homann

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION A

 

1. Succession Planning for Owners of Closely-Held Businesses

How to successfully transfer a business (whether a corporation, LLC or partnership) from one generation to the next or from the present owner to key employees or other third parties. Practical, tax and estate planning considerations – plus issues concerning indemnifications, payout formulas, non-competes and more.

– J. Patrick Plunkett

 

2. 10 Tips for Preparing Your Case for Trial

A session designed to make trial preparation easier and to give you the best possible chance to win at trial. Includes tips regarding organization, jury instructions, witnesses, exhibits and more.

– Joseph J. Roby, Jr.

 

3. "Now What? Concrete Steps to Build Your Service-Centered Firm" – An Interactive Workshop

– Matthew Homann

 

4. Business Planning I

Creating a business plan for your firm whether you are just starting out on a shoestring, or whether you have an established practice.

– Paul M. Floyd

 

5. Paper Reduction and Electronic File Management Workshop for Lawyers

Technology has fundamentally changed the way lawyers draft documents, gather and manage case information, conduct research, communicate and render services. In spite of these changes, many of us still manage paper today the same way lawyers managed paper 25 years ago. It’s time to upgrade that approach. This seminar covers everything you need to make your office digital, get your paper under control, and take full advantage of Adobe Acrobat and PDFs. Going digital means collecting all documents you’ve created and received, plus all related email messages and attachments in an electronic system, organized by client and matter. It sounds complicated and expensive, but you’ll see that the tools you need are off-the-shelf, easy to use and inexpensive. We’ll explain and demonstrate how scanners can be used in the law office to reduce paper, lower operating costs and significantly improve efficiency. We will also discuss document organization and storage techniques that will allow you to locate any document (sent or received) in seconds.

– Barron Henley

 

6. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

How to Find and Use Open Source and Free Legal Practice Software

What is the best of the best?

– Samuel J. Glover

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

11:00 – 12:00 p.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION B

 

7. Drafting and Negotiating Contracts

Back by Popular Demand!

Learn effective drafting and negotiating strategies, how to find and deal with hidden traps in any contract involving limitation of damages and liability, cancellation, change orders and more.

– J. Patrick Plunkett

 

8. Solutions to 7 Tough Family Law Problems

Three experienced Minnesota family lawyers share their approaches for resolving seven difficult family law issues, including: disputes over parenting time, responding to non-payment of child support and maintenance, dealing with changes in income when there isn’t enough to go around, the effect of re-marriage on maintenance, valuation and division of retirement accounts, dealing with the relocation of the custodial parent, unreported income, and more.

– Cheryl M. Prince, Barbara J. Runchey & Jason C. Kohlmeyer

 

9. How Do You Get Clients? What Lawyers Need to Know About Advertising and Marketing

Tips on marketing your practice in your community. How do you set yourself apart from others?

– Blois Olson

 

10. How to Handle Your Toughest Clients

Join experienced practitioners as they provide insight while reacting to great vignettes demonstrating some all-too-real client challenges.

– Michael J. Ford, Kent A. Gernander, Richard L. Pemberton & Todd C. Scott

 

11. PDFing – A Lawyer’s Guide to Adobe Acrobat

You have probably noticed that PDF files are everywhere and have become the file format of choice when trading documents with other lawyers and clients. Many courts now require that all pleadings be filed as PDFs; and most governmental forms are available exclusively in PDF format. We’ll cover the basics and legal-specific features of Acrobat, such as metadata removal, redaction, PDF packages, routing PDFs for comments/feedback, and more. Learn how to apply document security, scan to PDF, and archive your e-mail. You’ll also discover new ways to combine files to create trial notebooks, document binders and deal books. If you already own Acrobat, this seminar will unlock its potential for you. If you’re thinking about buying Acrobat, this seminar will explain all that it does so you can make an informed decision.

– Barron Henley

 

12. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

Productivity Tools and Services That Can Help Firms Increase Efficiency and Profitability

– Ben Bruno

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH FOR REGISTRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
With Optional Solo / Small Firm List-Serve Roundtable Discussions and "Speed Networking"

 

 OPTIONAL EVENT FOR YOUR FAMILY

Tour the Great Lakes Aquarium at a special group rate. Depart immediately following lunch at 1:00 p.m. for a 1:15 p.m. tour.

(If you register online for the conference, please CALL us at 651-227-8266 or 800-759-8840 to let us know if your family will be going to the Great Lakes Aquarium. Payment is required at the event.)

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.

 PLENARY SESSION

"The Entrepreneurial Lawyer – Lessons for Lawyers from the World’s Best Business Builders"

– Matthew Homann

1:55 – 2:55 p.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION C

 

13. Uncommon Defenses of Common Criminals

Strategies you need to know.

– Carolyn Agin Schmidt & Frederic K. Bruno

 

14. The Year in Review – What’s New and What Matters?

Sixty minutes of interesting things you ought to know about cases, legislation, rulings and judicial appointments.

– Kent A. Gernander

 

15. Using Social Media in Your Practice

Important principles for effective participation.

– Carolyn Elefant, Samuel J. Glover & Lisa Solomon

 

16. "The Creative Solo – 5 Techniques to Hone Your Creative Talents and Build a Better Practice"

– Matthew Homann

 

17. Remote Access Technology

Back by Popular Demand!

How to communicate from your home, cabin, car; integrating PDAs and cells with land-line/computer systems.

– Todd C. Scott & Clint W. Lechner

 

18. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

Word 2007 – Top Tips and Techniques for Drafting Complex Legal Documents

Tired of wrestling with Microsoft Word to get documents looking the way you want? Save enormous amounts of time and energy by tapping the full potential of Word. This seminar is designed specifically for lawyers and law firm staff to provide practical solutions and time saving tips for everyday legal drafting issues. We’ll give you tips for everything from how to fix Word’s default settings (they are awful) to automatic paragraph numbering. Bring your computer and follow along with the instructor!

– Barron Henley

3:10 – 4:10 p.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION D

 

19. Basic Mortgage Foreclosure Practice

A guide to mortgage foreclosure including foreclosure by advertisement and action; discussing issues of notice, reinstatement, redemption, sheriff’s sales, bidding and much more. Focusing on creditor remedies but also discussing some debtor rights.

– Paul A. Loraas

 

20. Ethics and Advertising – A Conversation

1.0 ethics credit applied for

Join the discussion as experts engage in a lively conversation concerning the intersection of ethical requirements and lawyer advertising.

– Eric T. Cooperstein, Blois Olson & Roy S. Ginsburg

 

21. Business Planning II

Business plans, practice strategies and more.

– Paul M. Floyd

 

22. Case Management Software – How to Select and Implement Without Drama

Many lawyers decide to investigate case management software and are quickly overwhelmed by the number of choices and features offered. In this seminar, we’ll discuss the details of how to painlessly obtain the benefits of case management software in your firm. Topics include: who are the major players and what they cost; features to look for; tasks that should be part of any demonstration you receive; deciding which one is right for your firm; how these programs can and should be customized for your firm; whether you should do it yourself; establishing a schedule; training; and ongoing maintenance.

– Barron Henley

 

23. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

How to Do Legal Research Using the Minnesota CLE Online Library

It’s efficient, comprehensive, and free!

– Holly Garland Langworthy

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

 PLENARY SESSION

The Pulse of the Profession – Results of the 2010 Solo/Small Firm Practice Survey

The latest economic data – more important than ever in these trying economic times.

– Michael J. Ford, LaVern A. Pritchard & Todd C. Scott

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

 MONDAY EVENING EVENT

A Grand Reception Including Great Food, Prizes and Family Fun!

Complete your first day with a reception for all right here at the DECC. We’ve got fun planned for everyone – of every age! There will be prize drawings for an iPad, an iPod and an iPhone! Plus, we’ll have balloons, face painting, and much more!

(If you register online for the conference, please CALL us at 651-227-8266 or 800-759-8840 to make your reservations for the Grand Reception.)

Tuesday, August 3

7:45 – 8:45 a.m.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

With moderated roundtable discussions
Join a roundtable discussion for answers to your pressing questions or simply to continue your networking opportunities over breakfast. "Home-based practice," "Picking a New Associate," "Flat Fees," "Your Firm Website," and more.

8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

 PLENARY SESSION

One, Two, Free: Infinite Challenges and Endless Opportunities When Price Approaches Zero

You may have noticed a trend towards free these days.  From social media applications (like Facebook and LinkedIn) to free netbooks when you sign up for data plans, seems that everyone is giving something away. And as more products and services can be had for free, consumers come to expect free services – even from lawyers. This session will discuss these trends towards free, identify examples of lawyers who are giving away products and services for free and help find ways that you can apply free to attract new clients and retain existing ones – and even streamline your practice in the process.

– Carolyn Elefant

9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR BREAK

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION E

 

24. Early Neutral Evaluation in Family Law Cases

How it’s working in Minnesota: The view from the bench and the view from the practice.

– Judge Tanja K. Manrique, Judge Sally L. Tarnowski & Thomas W. Tuft

 

25. Honing your Bankruptcy Practice Skills

How to have the best initial meeting with your next bankruptcy client. Save great amounts of time and headaches with the "Woodke System."

– Robert A. Woodke

 

26. "SOLOS ONLY"

Running a Successful Practice: What I Did Right and What I Did Wrong

Recently retired solo practitioner Jack Setterlund reflects on the challenges, opportunities and rewards of solo practice and shares advice on staffing, managing client expectations, advertising, firing bad clients, organizing files for maximum efficiency, mentoring others, and finding time for vacations.

– Jack E. Setterlund

 

27. Malpractice and Ethics for the Small Firm Practitioner (UR@RISK)

Repeated at #39
1.0 ethics credit applied for

Learn about the most common mistakes that even good lawyers make and how you can avoid them. Find out how an understanding of the rules of ethics and applying them in your everyday practice can help avoid everyday errors and claims.

– Timothy J. Gephart & Steven L. Reyelts

 

28. Powerful Writing Techniques That Persuade Both Judges and Clients

Learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques copywriters have relied on for years. Topics include: your greatest challenge in writing; how to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down; the role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger readers’ emotions; how to deal with objections to your position; closing the deal; conclusions and calls to action, and more.

– Lisa Solomon

 

29. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

Social Media Demonstration

How it works and how you can use it in your practice.

– Peter H. Berge, Samuel J. Glover, Todd C. Scott & Joshua M. King

11:25 – 11:55 a.m.

 PLENARY SESSION

"A View from the Bench" – A Small Firm Practice Revisited

The importance of solo and small firms to legal practice in Minnesota.

– Associate Justice G. Barry Anderson (invited); Minnesota Supreme Court

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH FOR REGISTRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

With Optional Solo/Small Firm List-serve Roundtable Discussion: "Getting Paid" – the use of credit cards, PayPal, etc., systems such as QuickBooks for Accounting

 

 OPTIONAL EVENT FOR YOUR FAMILY

OMNIMAX Theater Showing of "Dinosaurs Alive!" at special discounted prices. Depart immediately following lunch at 12:45 p.m. for a 1:00 p.m. showing.

(If you register online for the conference, please CALL us at 651-227-8266 or 800-759-8840 to let us know if your family will be going to the OMNIMAX. Payment is required at the event.)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION F

 

30. The Federal Estate Tax Mess

What didn’t happen and what you need to tell your clients now. How to draft in a time of uncertainty.

– Leigh D. Mathison & Mark T. Signorelli

 

31. Serving and Keeping Your Business Clients

A perspective from an out state business lawyer.

– Dennis O’Toole

 

32. "SOLOS ONLY"

Solo Practice Systems for Success

Many solos work entirely on their own, which means that they’re responsible for everything, from mastering substantive legal issues to sending out invoices and marketing their practices. All told, non-legal tasks can account for as a much as forty percent of a solo’s work week, which means less time for family or billable matters. Moreover, shouldering the burden of a practice can make it difficult for solos to plan a vacation or worse, make it impossible for another lawyer to take over in the event of an emergency. That’s why solos need systems, even if they work entirely on their own. Many tasks, such as calendaring or invoicing can be automated, while others, such as regular marketing can be accomplished through planning and partly, carried out online. This session will focus on free and low-cost tools that solos can integrate into their practices. Of course, some solos are so busy that even systems won’t save enough time – and thus, this program will also help diagnose whether you’ve reached a point where you may need to consider part-time support for your practice.

– Carolyn Elefant

 

33. Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Heed Me

Retire with revenue, relevance, and relaxation. You already know how much money you think you will need for retirement. Now, find out how you may be able to obtain some value for your practice, as well as discover ways to keep you active and challenged during retirement.

– Roy S. Ginsburg

 

34. Alternative Billing, or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Lawyering

According to Sam Glover, the hourly billing paradigm does not deserve its preeminence in law practice. Alternatives such as fixed – or flat – fees, memberships, hybrid fees, value billing, and unbundled services have many advantages for attorneys and clients. Attorneys can focus on solving clients’ problems without watching the clock, and clients get certainty and – sometimes – better results. But as with any fee structure, alternative fees come with practical and ethical concerns. Hear why and how you should implement alternative billing.

– Samuel J. Glover

 

35. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

Productivity Tools and Services That Can Help Firms Increase Efficiency and Profitability

– Ben Bruno

2:10 – 3:10 p.m.

 BREAKOUT SESSION G

 

36. Understanding Trusts and Using Them Effectively

Considerations when drafting; funding methods; handling different types of assets. What clients need to know about revocable trusts. Choosing the right trust at the right time.

– Leigh D. Mathison & Mark T. Signorelli

 

37. 7 Difficult Employment Law Issues Facing the Small Business Today

Key issues to understand when counseling your business client including potential wage and hour problems, employee leave issues, social medial usage issues, discipline and discharge and more!

– Elizabeth A. Storaasli

 

38. "SOLOS ONLY"

Associates? I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Associates!

Why and how to work with contract lawyers. Outsourcing is the wave of the future, but it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work oversees, and it’s not just for big firms. Solo and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work. Topics include benefits of outsourcing, how to find a contract attorney, what a good contract attorney brings to the table, ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship, co-counsel arrangements that work and more.

– Lisa Solomon & Susan D. Minsberg

 

39. Malpractice and Ethics for the Small Firm Practitioner (UR@RISK)

Repeat of #27
1.0 ethics credit applied for

– Timothy J. Gephart & Steven L. Reyelts

 

40. WEST TECHNOLOGY LAB

Probate Strategies for the 21st Century – Automating Your Probate Practice Using Minnesota CLEPro

A hands-on opportunity to test for yourself how accurate, efficient, and easy-to-use the Minnesota CLEPro Probate Document Assembly System and Probate Forms really are.

– Holly Garland Langworthy

3:20 – 3:50 p.m.

 PLENARY SESSION

Our Finest Hour: How Solos Will Lead Our Profession Back to the Future

Futurists like Richard Susskind predict that the 21st Century will be the end of lawyers; that technology will routinize much of the work that solo and small firm lawyers do, ultimately rendering them obsolete. But in reality, technology, judiciously employed, can free lawyers up to practice law the way we dreamed of back in law school. This closing talk will remind solo and small firm lawyers of the role that we play as agents of change in the legal profession.

– Carolyn Elefant

3:50 p.m.

CONFERENCE ADJOURNS