The Solo and Small Firm Section of The Bar Association of San Francisco will host its Second Annual Conference, offering three hours of MCLE on Thursday, February 8. Check out these four reasons why solo and small firms should attend:
1. Networking
You will meet and connect with solo and small firm attorneys both in and outside your areas of practice. This is a great way to get mentorship if you are a new solo attorney or just looking to expand your practice. Make sure to attend the pre-conference workshops and hang out for the networking reception at the end of the day. There is no better way to connect with other attorneys than over coffee and breakfast or over a drink. Also, don’t forget to bring lots of business cards! You will develop meaningful connections and you will want to ensure that people remember who you are.
2. Business and Client Skills
You will have the opportunity to learn business skills beyond just legal knowledge. Enjoy an MCLE luncheon while getting tips from the keynote speaker, Judi Cohen, founder of Warrior One. Warrior One offers mindfulness training for the legal mind. Cohen will discuss how to minimize the negative impact and optimize the positive aspects of practicing law. The keynote offers one hour in Competency Issues credit. Learn how to manage challenging interactions with clients and strategies to level the playing field against larger firms. For litigators, you get to learn cost-effective solutions to manage courtroom trials, outsourced staffing, jury selection, and legal technology in the courtroom.
Being a solo or small firm can be challenging at times, but these panels will give you some resources and skills to address these challenges.
3. Leveling Up Your Practice
Attend this conference and you will get the opportunity to learn about hiring your first associate and what to consider when looking for a business partner. You will learn about partner and attorney compensation, as well as corporate formation options for your law firm. Speakers will provide an overview of how to manage your practice from new client acquisition to human resource issues that come with growing a business.
This is a great opportunity to hear from attorneys who are where you want to be and learn from mistakes they have made along the way.
4. Other Opportunities
You will make connections that could lead to client referrals, mentorships, and other opportunities like writing and speaking engagements. You never know where the connections you make today will take you. Make sure to exchange business cards with other attendees because you may very well run into them again.
If you are interested in getting more involved with the Solo and Small Firm Section, don’t forgot to check out the monthly brown bag lunches at BASF on the first Tuesday of every month or contact one of the co-chairs for writing and speaking opportunities.
About the author
Jason Yee is an immigration and business attorney with the Law Office of Jason K. Yee. He helps both individuals and businesses with solving their legal needs.