7:45 – 8:30 a.m.

CHECK-IN, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING

8:30 – 8:40 a.m.

Presidential Welcome

– Robert F. Enger, MSBA President 2012-13 (invited)

8:40 – 9:25 a.m.

PLENARY SESSION

"Rise of the Machines" – Automation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Legal Practice

We have entered a crucial period in the evolution of the legal market. Lawyers’ longstanding monopoly over legal services is dissolving; more clients are using lawyer substitutes; more disputes are being resolved without the use of attorneys; and "lawyer-like technology" is providing consumers with an astounding array of choices. Small firms can and must be on the forefront in responding successfully to these dramatic changes. Jordan Furlong tells us how.

– Jordan Furlong; Edge International; Ottawa, Ontario

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION A

 

1. Some Principles and Common Sense Tips for Drafting Any Contract

– Mark E. Utz

 

2. Elder Law Issues: What Next for Elder Law?

All signs indicate that the elderly will become a much larger share of the Minnesota population. Traditional estate planning often has focused on avoidance of estate taxes. For many decades past, Elder Law has faced the primary challenge of paying for long term care while protecting as much wealth as possible for younger family members, but this goal has become much more difficult. If the focus of Elder Law becomes less concerned with protecting assets, what other services will the elderly need from Elder Law attorneys? This workshop will concentrate on these other legal needs and the practice opportunities these needs will present to attorneys who have worked or want to work with the elderly.

– Julian J. Zweber

 

3. Dealing With Difficult Opposing Counsel

A panel of experienced practitioners share insights into this challenging aspect of your practice.

– Rebekah Bailey, Kevin D. Hofman & Barbara J. Runchey
– Roy S. Ginsburg, moderator

 

4. Value Billing, Flat Fees, Alternative Billing Arrangements – How It Really Works

– Eric T. Cooperstein & Samuel J. Glover

 

5. Content Marketing for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers: Why, Whether and How to Use Blogs, Social Media and Other Self-Publishing Platforms to Promote Your Practice

– Jordan Furlong

 

6. TECH LAB (all Tech Labs sponsored by WESTLAW)

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

A small investment of time could make a dramatic difference in your practice. See how productivity tools help you better organize, analyze, store, communicate, and collaborate on all the law, information, and documents that a typical case generates. Westlaw Tools bring the same high levels of efficiency, productivity, and excellence to your work that WestlawNext brings to your legal research.

– Presenter from West,a Thomson Reuters business

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION B

 

7. How to Draft a Sale of Goods Contract

– Mark E. Utz

 

8. Collateral Consequences to Criminal Convictions

What every practitioner should know about the ramifications of criminal convictions as they relate to immigration, travel to Canada, guns, professional licensing, and much more.

– Frederic K. Bruno, Carolyn Agin Schmidt & Bruce R. Williams

 

9. Time Management Tips for the Busy Lawyer

Learn from experience. Solid suggestions about what has worked and what hasn’t.

– Michael J. Ford, Jason C. Kohlmeyer & Susan D. Minsberg
– Roy S. Ginsburg, moderator

 

10. Malpractice Traps for the Small Firm Practitioner – Forewarned is Forearmed!

– Timothy J. Gephart & Richard J. Thomas

 

11. "Tablet Wars": How to Choose the Best Device for Your Practice

– Nerino J. Petro & Todd C. Scott

 

12. TECH LAB

Creating an Effective Internet Presence

How can I attract better qualified clients to my firm in this economy? What can I do to improve my online marketing? Does it make a difference who builds my Web site? This workshop will cover important and timely information on marketing your law firm in a challenging economy and competitive marketplace. It is designed for lawyers that already have a Web site and would like to learn more about enhancing the performance of their site to make it stand out from the competition and drive more clients to their firm. This workshop will present need-to-know information that can help you grow your practice in the most challenging of times.

– Ryan J. Tauer

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH & NETWORKING – Families Welcome!
Lunch provided to all registrants and their families.

 

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

Creating a New Paradigm for Lawyer Relationships

We hear a great deal about changes occurring in the practice of law but very little about the people behind the practice. If lawyers want to survive the transformation of the practice, they would be better off doing it together.

– Eric T. Cooperstein; Law Office of Eric T. Cooperstein, PLLC; Minneapolis

1:45 – 2:00 p.m.

BREAK

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION C

 

13. How to Draft Marital Termination Agreements

– Cheryl M. Prince & Barbara J. Runchey

 

14. Medical Assistance Planning in a Time of Change

Planning to take advantage of medical assistance benefits for long term care needs at home or in a nursing home has come to resemble the movements of a glacier. Big changes in the medical assistance programs have occurred infrequently. We now might be in a period of dramatic change in these programs. This workshop will discuss the most recent laws, rules and guidelines that apply to the medical assistance programs, and whether sheltering of assets will still be a possibility with advance planning.

– Julian J. Zweber

 

15. Developing a Comprehensive Marketing Plan for Your Firm

– Samuel J. Glover

 

16. Beyond the Billable Hour

From competing on cost to pricing the client experience we discuss practical, innovative real-world ways to rationally price legal services.

– Jordan Furlong

 

17. Cloud Computing – Don’t Fog Up!

What exactly is it, and how can you use it in your practice?

– Nerino J. Petro & Todd C. Scott

 

18. TECH LAB

How a Practice Management System Can Help You Practice Ethically and Competently

1.0 ethics credit applied for

In this talk we describe how a case management system can be used to reduce incidences of malpractice and ethical misconduct. We outline the key elements of functionality typically provided by a case management system, including: calendaring, to-dos/diarizing, conflict screening, document management, time tracking and billing, and trust accounting. When leveraged properly, the above-mentioned case management functions can greatly reduce the risk of malpractice and ethical misconduct.

– Jack Newton

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.

BREAK

3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION D

 

19. The Maritalized Revocable Trust – When to Use It and How to Draft It

– Jacob J. Baker & Richard R. Burns

 

20. Advanced Family Law Practice: Five Tough Problems and Some Solutions

– Ann B. Barker & Jason C. Kohlmeyer

 

21. Survey "LIVE" 2012

Hear the latest Small Firm Survey results and participate in our instant survey using the audience response system.

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

 

22. 21st Century Ethics Problems

1.0 ethics credit applied for

New ABA ethics opinions raise questions about how attorneys use email to communicate with clients, what can be done with documents found on someone else’s computer, and when lawyers can draft proposals for the client to discuss with the opposing party. Watch video vignettes, vote on hypothetical questions, and see how these new opinions may impact your practice.

– Eric T. Cooperstein

 

23. Strategic Business Development in the Digital Age

Lawyers understand their firm needs a website, a logo and even a blog. Some also understand the benefit of posting video, mobile optimization, answering questions on Avvo and having a business page on Facebook. But not many lawyers know where to focus their business development efforts and how to strategically piece together each initiative so that they support the firm’s overall brand and key messages. Learn how to develop strategic business development plan that will reach your target audience and drive more clients to your firm.

– Mark Britton

 

24. TECH LAB

How to Create Your Own Website

Can you run a word processor? You can run your own website. WordPress is an amazing tool that allows you to build a professional website within an hour. This session will show you how.

– Peter H. Berge

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Join us for the "Un"-Reception

Un-Conferences are all the rage…so we’ve created the Un-Reception. It’s a perfect opportunity to combine a refreshment and a recap of the day with your peers and national faculty. In this "organized un-reception" you’ll choose your expert, your topics and your beverage (beer, wine or soda) – fun and learning to the hilt. Barron, Robert, Nerino and Eric are ready, willing and able to continue discussing the topics you care about most.

Hosted by AVVO and Clio

The perfect ending to a perfect first day.

Tuesday, August 7

8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & NETWORKING

8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

PLENARY SESSION

Sites That Simplify Tasks and Save Money

For two decades, through his books, columns and blog posts, lawyer and writer Robert Ambrogi has focused on helping lawyers track the best and most practical resources on the Web. In this fast-paced program, he will survey the latest and most cutting-edge sites of interest to lawyers. The focus will be on sites that meet two criteria. First, they are free or very low cost. Second, they help lawyers do their jobs better or make their lives easier. Just for good measure and a bit of levity, the program may include a couple oddball sites as well.

– Robert J. Ambrogi; Law Office of Robert J. Ambrogi; Rockport, Massachusetts

9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

NETWORKING & EXHIBITOR TIME

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION E

 

25. Your Boss Did What? Employment Law 101 and the ABC’s of Finding a Good Case

– Rebekah Bailey & David E. Schlesinger

 

26. How to Choose the Right Business Entity for Your Client’s Business

– Paul M. Floyd

 

27. My 10 Best Litigation Tips for Solo and Small Firm Attorneys

– Phillip Gainsley

 

28. Winning New Clients Through Content Marketing

– Blois Olson

 

29. Ethics and Social Media

How do established rules of ethics and professional responsibility apply in the new world of social media? In this breakout session, lawyer and legal technology expert Robert Ambrogi will lead a discussion on ethics and social media. Discussion will explore the unique ethical danger areas of social media, ways to avoid trouble online, and whether these new media require new ethical rules.

– Robert J. Ambrogi

 

30. Scanners – the Secret Productivity Weapon for Lawyers

– Barron K. Henley

11:25 – 11:55 a.m.

PLENARY SESSION

My 7 Best Tech Tips for Saving Time and Money in a Small Firm Practice

– Barron K. Henley; Affinity Consulting Group; Columbus, Ohio

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH & NETWORKING – Families Welcome!
Lunch provided to all registrants and their families

 

OPTIONAL EVENT FOR YOUR FAMILY

Tour the Great Lakes Ore Boat S.S. WILLIAM A. IRVIN 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 S.S. WILLIAM A. IRVIN. Payment is required at the event.)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION F

 

31. Appellate Practice for the Non-Specialist – What You Really Need to Know

– Lisa Lodin Peralta

 

32. Dual Representations and Multiple Parties in Non-Traditional Families – Ethical Challenges

1.0 ethics credit applied for

– Patrick R. Burns & Ann C. Viitala

 

33. Seven Tips for Those Practicing Solo – How to Practice More Efficiently and With Less Stress

– Phillip Gainsley

 

34. Managing Law Firm PR – Tips From the Expert

– Blois Olson

 

35. A Business Planning Check-up for Your Practice

– Paul M. Floyd

 

36. Using Microsoft Word More Effectively in Your Practice

2-hour session

– Barron K. Henley

2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

BREAK

2:10 – 3:10 p.m.

BREAKOUT SESSION G

 

37. An Introduction to Social Security Disability Law Practice

– Lionel H. Peabody

 

38. Important Tips When Buying or Selling Lakeshore Property

– Charles H. Andresen

 

39. Mental Health and Addiction Issues in Older Adults 

1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for

– Joan M. Bibelhausen

 

40. How to Effectively Promote and Grow Your Practice

Susan will present ideas and guide an interactive session in which participants will share their best strategies. You will leave with renewed energy and fresh ideas for growing your practice.

– Susan D. Minsberg

 

41. A Complete Guide to Practicing Remotely

– Nerino J. Petro & Todd C. Scott

3:10 – 3:20 p.m.

BREAK

3:20 – 3:50 p.m.

PLENARY SESSION

Tech and the Future of Your Practice

Who is in control of our future, us or technology? Is technology evolving to respond to our needs or are we being forced to adapt our practices to changes in technology? Lawyer and legal technology expert Robert Ambrogi will consider the intersection of technology and practice and offer some predictions about where the profession is headed.

– Robert J. Ambrogi; Law Office of Robert J. Ambrogi; Rockport, Massachusetts

3:50 p.m.

CONFERENCE ADJOURNS