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See the "Schedule & Faculty" tab below for course titles, dates, and times
The Modern Practice series is designed for lawyers who want to improve how their firms operate – without needing to become tech experts. Each program focuses on practical tools and strategies that can make the day-to-day management of a law office more efficient, more responsive to clients, and easier to manage. You'll learn how to use emerging technologies like AI to handle routine tasks, free up time, and improve your service. We’ll also explore straightforward ways to manage scheduling online, communicate more effectively with your team, and build a stronger online presence. This is a practical series for lawyers who want to spend less time managing their practice and more time practicing law.
Times listed are Central Time.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: Practical AI Solutions for Your Small Law Firm
Join Jess Birken and Todd Scott of Minnesota Lawyers Mutual for a fun session on AI tools you can actually use right now in your small firm. No coding or prompt engineering degree required! Practical, useful, user-friendly tools to help you work smarter, not harder, without needing to know how the inside of a server works. Expect to learn things like:
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Todd C. Scott; Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: Making Practice Easier and More Efficient with Online Scheduling
You can transform your practice with the power of technology – today! Discover how automating appointments and consultations can save you time, boost revenue, prevent client complaints and help you earn rave reviews on Google. Join Jess Birken and Eric Cooperstein to learn more about the life-changing magic of online scheduling and how to implement this tool into your practice.
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Eric T. Cooperstein; Law Office of Eric T. Cooperstein, PLLC
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: How to Optimize Your Website with SEO Basics – No Tech Skills Required!
Join Jess Birken and legal marketing expert Conrad Saam for a fast-paced session on SEO essentials every solo and small firm lawyer needs to know. Practical, no-fluff tips to get your website found by the right clients without needing to become a tech expert. Expect to learn things like:
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Conrad Saam; Mockingbird Marketing
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: Make Your Life Easier and Start Delegating Your Emails
No matter your practice area, a big part of lawyering is email – and your emails need to be dealt with in a timely and complete manner. If your inbox is overrun, you run the risk of missing deadlines, losing clients, neglecting connections, and much more. So, what’s the solution? For us and many others like us, it’s delegation! Jess Birken and Meghan Heitkamp will share how they handed over the keys to their inbox. They’ll cover topics like overcoming the fear of delegation, “paying the tuition” for your new assistant, and understanding the path forward for consistent success.
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Meghan Heitkamp; Birken Law Office PLLC
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: How to Claim and Maximize Your Google My Business Listing
Google puts your business on its map. Love it or hate it, your firm is on Google Maps and, not only that, it is often the first online interaction clients have with your firm. How do you get control of this thing!? Jess Birken and Gyi Tsakalakis will lead you on a step-by-step walk through of how to claim your Google My Business listing. And, once you've claimed it – how do you keep it up and maybe even leverage it to make it work for you!
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Gyi Tsakalakis; AttorneySync
Friday, August 8, 2025
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Modern Practice: Using Social Media Effectively and Without Wasting Time
Social media is a powerful marketing tool! If only we knew how to use it well. Used poorly, it's a waste of time or fodder for an ethics complaint. Use it well and it can dramatically increase your business. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok (!?) – there's an ever-growing list of options. Many people don't engage because they're scared to start, don't know what to post or believe that "nobody is out there" or "I don't have anything to say." This session takes a look at practical social media dos and don'ts; and the art of controlling your online presence; developing an authentic brand online; and how to pull it all together to make it look easy.
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Todd C. Scott; Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Modern Practice: Why Using Slack Can Enhance Team Communication and How to Ensure That It Does
Slack and other internal chat tools are a great way to level up your team communication. Or they can be a great way to get distracted, inundated with random chatter, and generally lose your mind! In this session, we’ll talk through how to get out of email chatter hell and increase your team’s connectedness while setting good boundaries and not letting distraction win the day. We’ll also show and tell ways to use slack as a hub for law firm automation. This session is great for every lawyer from solo practice to mid-sized firms.
– Jess Birken; Birken Law Office PLLC
– Justie Nicol; Colorado Lawyer Team
$365
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
This package provides 8.0 total CLE credits. Credits should be reported individually for each webcast attended, not the package as a whole.
Minnesota CLE has applied to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for the standard, ethics, elimination of bias, and mental health/substance use CLE credits as listed below. Application has been made to the Minnesota State Bar Association for any "specialist" credits and to the Supreme Court ADR Program for any continuing education in ADR credits.
Click titles for credit status and individual event codes.
Modern Practice: Practical AI Solutions for Your Small Law Firm
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: Making Practice Easier and More Efficient with Online Scheduling
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: How to Optimize Your Website with SEO Basics – No Tech Skills Required!
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: How to Leverage a Call Answering Service to Improve Your Firm
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: Make Your Life Easier and Start Delegating Your Emails
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: How to Claim and Maximize Your Google My Business Listing
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: Using Social Media Effectively and Without Wasting Time
1.0 standard CLE credit
Modern Practice: Why Using Slack Can Enhance Team Communication and How to Ensure That It Does
1.0 standard CLE credit
