2012 YLD Executive Committee Election - Voting Opens Soon!

The candidates for the 2012 YLD Executive Committee are (choose 7):
Courtenay R. Dunn, Phelan Hallinan & Schmieg, LLP
Daniel J. Gillin, Landman Corsi Ballaine & Ford P.C.
Maria E. Harris, Martin Banks
Todd B. Jacobs, McCann, Schaible & Wall, LLC
Benjamin F. Johns, Chimicles & Tikellis LLP
Andrew J. Kornblau, Landman Corsi Ballaine & Ford P.C.
Erin Lamb, Law Clerk to the Honorable Annette M. Rizzo
Kaitlin E. Picco, Ballard Spahr LLP
Jeffrey N. Rosenthal, Blank Rome LLP
Ballot positions were drawn at the Nov. 9th YLD Networking happy hour. For more information about the candidates and to read their personal statements click here.

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YLD Now Accepting Nominations for Peretta, Perry Awards; Deadline Dec. 21

The F. Sean Peretta Service Award is presented annually to an individual who has devoted substantial time to an innovative or non-traditional program that serves the community. Peretta was a private practitioner who died suddenly at age 31 who was a very involved community activist and a mentor to kids in his home neighborhood. He was viewed as a role model for African-American Youth.

The Craig M. Perry Service Award is presented annually to a young lawyer - 37 years old or younger or within the first three years of practice - who has devoted substantial time and energy to community-oriented activities, including, but not limited to, pro bono and charity work. Perry was a member of the YLD Executive Committee who suffered an untimely death. He was very involved in community service and active in student-related and other YLD programs.

Nominations should include the individual's name, address and a brief statement describing his or her qualifications. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Dec. 21. All nominations should be submitted to Dawn Petit at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or email to dpetit@philabar.org.

Top 5 HR/Employment Issues for Small Businesses, Dec. 12

Join us to learn:
- Top 5 HR/Employment issues, including FLSA/Wage and Hour issues and addressing/preventing exposure to workplace litigation
- Tips for small business attorneys to help identify these issues and advice on how to counsel their clients, including knowing which government regulations apply to their clients (and keeping up to date on the regulations), knowing how to classify employees (e.g., exempt or non-exempt, independent contractor or employee), and helping clients prevent or address exposure to workplace litigation (e.g., discrimination and harassment claims)
- Questions & Answers

Date: Monday, December 12, 2011

Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Philadelphia Bar Association
1101 Market Street
11th Floor Conference Center
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Registration Info: Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 am, CLE begins at 9:00 am.

Click here to register for CLE credit.

How Will YOU Make 2012 a Different Kind of Year?

By Kimberly Alford Rice

About this time every year, I receive a flurry of calls and emails from clients and contacts who are indecisive and unclear about what they can do to make the new year successful for their practice. I hear a variety of comments along the lines of “I’ve tried this marketing tactic and that marketing tactic and it just doesn’t work…” Sound familiar?

So, how will you make 2012 a different kind of year? Better?

While lawyers may know “what” they need to do to promote themselves and their services, I have found over many years that 1. they don’t always understand the “how” to promote themselves and their services; 2. more times than not, they approach “marketing” like quail hunting – in a scattershot manner; and 3. for whatever reason, time management issues usually, they are unable/unwilling to consistently follow through.

To get started on strong footing and to make 2012 a different kind of year for you and your practice, allow me to challenge your marketing mindset.

Times Have Changed
Whether or not you are part of a large law firm or are a sole practitioner, ultimately, it is up to you to create what you want for your practice. Sure, you may have an army-size marketing department and other support services, but you cannot rely solely upon passive marketing tactics such as firm newsletters, brochure-ware, your website bio, etc. to assist you to develop your own book of business.
Below are 2 ideas to incorporate into your 2012 marketing plan:

Your Network Needs You
When you report to superiors, getting out of your office for extended periods of time can be challenging, but if you present to your supervising attorney a quarterly plan for how you intend to grow your network to build a client base, he/she should be pleased that you are taking the initiative to become self-sustaining. First, research 2012 event calendars for organizations in which you are involved (or in which you want to be involved) and diary them on your calendar, creating an Alert in Outlook. Honor these commitments. My mantra “Go where your (wanna be) clients go…industry groups, business development groups, arts groups, etc. Ask a trusted colleague to “check” your networking skills. Are you being effective?

Calling All Authors
To assist in developing a reputation as an expert in your area of practice, it has never been easier to be published - - in print and online publications, blogs, op-ed columns, etc. Carefully select a venue in which you know your prospects reads, and pitch an article topic to the editor. It really is that simple. It’s not necessary to deliver a Pulitzer Prize-winning thesis, just a 1,000-word article that is cogent to your audience. Don’t “know” your audience…that’s another conversation.

To proactively build and sustain a healthy practice over the course of your career, you must develop sound strategies which reach specific audiences in a meaningful way over a sustained period of time. There are many economical ways to do that but they do not include any one-shot wonders like supporting your nephew’s Little League with a one-time advertisement placement, rarely updating your website bio, or even attending a scattershot array of networking events without appropriately following up in a timely manner.

No Myth
Marketing legal services is evolving, with many new ways to attract and retain clients. Some marketing strategies have lost their magic while others are emerging as winners.
One marketing truth won’t change. Clients will continue to purchase legal services from trustworthy and competent people who can demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they can produce the results they promise. Demonstrate that to the market and you’ll have clients lined up to work with you.

Kimberly Alford Rice is principal of KLA Marketing Associates, a business development advisory firm focusing on legal services. As a law marketing authority, Kimberly helps law firms and lawyers develop practical business development and marketing strategies which lead directly to new clients and increased revenues. Additionally, Kimberly provides career management services to lawyers in transition. She may be reached at 609-458-0415 or via email at kimberly@klamarketing.net.

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Time Mastery for Lawyers CLE, Dec. 9

Taught by nationally known and respected instructor Frank Sanitate, this program will give you practical, useable tips for organizing and managing your time, eliminating time stress and creating a balance between your work life and personal life.

Philadelphia – Fri., Dec. 9, 2011
The CLE Conference Center
Wanamaker Bldg., 10th Floor, Ste. 1010, Philadelphia, PA

9:00 am – 4:15 pm; check-in begins at 8:30 am

5 CLE credits (2 ethics, 3 substantive)

Register now or learn more.

You can also register by contacting PBI Customer Service at (800) 932-4637.

Criminal Justice Section Holiday Reception and Awards Ceremony Dec. 7

Costs:
$45.00 – Public Interest and Government Attorney Members
$45.00 – Law Student Members
$55.00 – Members
$65.00 – Non-Members

Includes the presentation of the Justice Thurgood Marshall Award to Co-Recipients Marsha L. Levick, Juvenile Law Center and Robert G. Schwartz, Juvenile Law Center

The event includes an open bar and and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Click here to register. $10 increase at the door.