Author: Law Firm Newswire

Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 – At its Conference & Expo in Toronto this week, the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) inducted its board of directors for 2014-15. Leading the association and serving as President for 2014-15 is Paula Barnes of Burr & Forman in Nashville, Tennessee and Paul Farnsworth of Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP in Rochester, New York continuing his service as Past President of the Board.

The Board includes the following individuals:

President:
Paula K. Barnes
Burr & Forman, LLP
Nashville, TN

President-Elect:
Teresa Walker
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP
Nashville, TN

Past President:
Paul Farnsworth
Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP
Rochester, NY

Region 1 Director:
Karen Glowacki
Sherin and Lodgen LLP
Boston, MA

Region 2 Director:
Gary Swisher, CLM
Clark Partington Hart Larry Bond & Stackhouse
Pensacola, FL

Region 3 Director:
Cheryl A. Nelson, CLM, PHR
Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi, LLP
Minneapolis, MN

Region 4 Director:
Greg Madden
Rhodes Hieronymus Jones Tucker & Gable
Tulsa, OK

Region 5 Director:
April Campbell, JD
Perkins Coie LLP
Seattle, WA

Region 6 Director:
Linda E. Quindt, CLM
Marks Finch Thornton & Baird, LLP
San Diego, CA

At-Large Director:
Mark Bridgeman, CLM
U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of Illinois
Chicago, IL

At-Large Director:
Katie Bryant, CLM
Udall Shumway, PLC
Mesa, AZ

At-Large Director:
Laura J. Broomell, CLM
Greene Espel P.L.L.P.
Minneapolis, MN

About the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
ALA is focused on the delivery of cutting-edge management and leadership products and services to the global legal community. It identifies and provides solutions to the most critical strategic and operational challenges its members and customers face today, and prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. For more information on ALA, visit http://alanet.org

Contact
Sander Rosen
Marketing Manager
Association of Legal Administrators
Phone: 847-267-1252

For more information on ALA, visit http://www.alanet.org

Association of Legal Administrators
75 Tri-State International, Suite 222
Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4435

Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 – The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) presented The “Outstanding Association Volunteer Award” to five ALA members for his/her exceptional and continued service at ALA’s 2014 Annual Conference & Exposition in Toronto.

2014 Outstanding Association Award recipients include:

1. Roslyn Hazzard, Human Resources Director of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Indiana Chapter) Hazzard has served in both regional and national leadership roles since 1993, including Regional Officer and Region 3 Director. She also participated on the 2010 Conference Committee and most recently on the IDEA AWARDS Committee.

2. Charly Doe, CLM, Executive Director of TraskBritt, PC in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Greater-Phoenix-Valley of the Sun & Utah Chapters) Doe first served in multiple volunteer roles in ALA’s Greater-Phoenix-Valley of the Sun Chapter but relocated to Utah in 2005. Since then, she has assumed chair positions on both ALA’s Certification Committee and Intellectual Property Retreat Planning Committee.

3. Steven M. Morris, CLM, Office Administrator of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP in San Francisco, California. (Orange County & Golden Gate Chapters) Since 1995, Morris has served in leadership roles for two California Chapters including Regional Officer, Region 5 Director and a recent appointment to ALA’s new Professional Development Advisory Committee.

4. Carol Anne Nitsche, CLM, former Principal Administrator of Karr Tuttle Campbell in Seattle, Washington. (Puget Sound Chapter) Nitsche has been a member of ALA since 1996, having recently retired in 2014. During her career, she wrote and spoke on several legal topics and served as Regional Officer, Region 5 Director and as a trustee for the Foundation of ALA.

5. Clara Onderdonk, Office Manager of Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP in Rochester, New York. (Rochester Chapter) Onderdonk has been active in the Rochester Chapter since 2000. Noteworthy accomplishments include chairing ALA’s Regional Nominating Committee, serving on the Annual Conference Committee and being named to the Region 1 Leadership Team.

About the Association of Legal Administrators
ALA is the largest international association providing support, high-quality education and services to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. With nearly 10,000 members in 30 countries, ALA represents legal administrators who are leaders and industry experts on legal management issues such as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice management. For more information on the Association, visit About ALA.

Contact
Gwen Biasi, CAE
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 847.267.1377

For more information on ALA, visit http://www.alanet.org

Association of Legal Administrators
75 Tri-State International, Suite 222
Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4435

Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 – The Association of Legal Administrators’ (ALA) IDEA Awards program recognizes new practices that deliver great value and transformational impact to the legal community through innovative achievement. Awards are presented to ALA chapters, committees, regions, individuals, firms, or organizations (including business partners) that create unique and innovative programs, services, and events. Recipients of the inaugural IDEA Awards include:

ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference Planning Team: “Transgender Insights & Perspectives”
The team convened a panel of transgendered legal professionals to address conference attendees in October 2013. Through a candid and honest dialogue, this project helped raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by members of the transgender community.

ALA Indiana Chapter: “L.I.F.E. Beyond Shortridge”
Life is all about looking ahead to new opportunities. But members of the Indiana Chapter did more than look – they took action. The L.I.F.E. (Leaders in Firms Emerging) project partnered with an inner-city school (Shortridge) to help its students discover new careers in law.

ALA Greater Los Angeles Chapter: “Professional Legal Management Global Summit – Brazil and Beyond”
ALA members spoke before a Brazilian national conference on the United States’ legal management best practices. This single event is shaping the future of Brazil’s judicial process while broadening ALA’s global reach.

ALA New York City Chapter: “Foot in the Door”
The Business Partner Advisory Council of the New York City Chapter had a problem: How could it get a foot in the door with members? The creative solution involved chocolate and incentives that hit the sweet spot with everyone!

Farella Braun + Martel LLP: “Growing the Community – Growing Diversity in the Legal Profession”
By developing two groundbreaking programs, The Diversity Pipeline Internship Program and The Law and Justice Credit Recovery Program, this law firm is helping more students graduate, go to college and explore new career options.

Complete details regarding ALA’s IDEA Awards program can be found at www.alanet.org/awards.

About the Association of Legal Administrators
ALA is the largest international association providing support, high-quality education and services to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. With nearly 10,000 members in 30 countries, ALA represents legal administrators who are leaders and industry experts on legal management issues such as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice management. For more information on the Association, visit About ALA.

Contact
Gwen Biasi, CAE
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 847.267.1377

For more information on ALA, visit http://www.alanet.org

Association of Legal Administrators
75 Tri-State International, Suite 222
Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4435

Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) May 23, 2014 – The Association of Legal Administrators’ (ALA) IDEA Awards program recognizes new practices that deliver great value and transformational impact to the legal community through innovative achievement. Awards are presented to ALA chapters, committees, regions, individuals, firms, or organizations (including business partners) that create unique and innovative programs, services, and events. Recipients of the inaugural IDEA Awards include:

ALA Regions 1 & 3 Conference Planning Team: “Transgender Insights & Perspectives”
The team convened a panel of transgendered legal professionals to address conference attendees in October 2013. Through a candid and honest dialogue, this project helped raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by members of the transgender community.

ALA Indiana Chapter: “L.I.F.E. Beyond Shortridge”
Life is all about looking ahead to new opportunities. But members of the Indiana Chapter did more than look – they took action. The L.I.F.E. (Leaders in Firms Emerging) project partnered with an inner-city school (Shortridge) to help its students discover new careers in law.

ALA Greater Los Angeles Chapter: “Professional Legal Management Global Summit – Brazil and Beyond”
ALA members spoke before a Brazilian national conference on the United States’ legal management best practices. This single event is shaping the future of Brazil’s judicial process while broadening ALA’s global reach.

ALA New York City Chapter: “Foot in the Door”
The Business Partner Advisory Council of the New York City Chapter had a problem: How could it get a foot in the door with members? The creative solution involved chocolate and incentives that hit the sweet spot with everyone!

Farella Braun + Martel LLP: “Growing the Community – Growing Diversity in the Legal Profession”
By developing two groundbreaking programs, The Diversity Pipeline Internship Program and The Law and Justice Credit Recovery Program, this law firm is helping more students graduate, go to college and explore new career options.

Complete details regarding ALA’s IDEA Awards program can be found at www.alanet.org/awards.

About the Association of Legal Administrators
ALA is the largest international association providing support, high-quality education and services to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. With nearly 10,000 members in 30 countries, ALA represents legal administrators who are leaders and industry experts on legal management issues such as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice management. For more information on the Association, visit About ALA.

Contact
Gwen Biasi, CAE
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 847.267.1377

For more information on ALA, visit http://www.alanet.org

Association of Legal Administrators
75 Tri-State International, Suite 222
Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4435

New York, NY (Law Firm Newswire) May 20, 2014 – Today, Cushman & Wakefield launched its second annual National Legal Sector Benchmark Survey in partnership with ALM Legal Intelligence, a leading provider of detailed business information and competitive intelligence about the legal industry to top U.S. and international law firms and their clients, including The Am Law 100 and 200.

The survey focuses on the key drivers influencing real estate decisions at law firms across the United States and explores topics which ultimately affect the business, financial and operational success of every competitive firm in the profession.

Administered by Cushman & Wakefield’s Legal Sector Advisory Group (LSAG), and drawing on input received from a broad range of experts and executives in the legal sector, the survey targets law firms across the United States with 75 questions aimed at delving into the challenges and opportunities they face.

"Understanding the changing needs of our legal sector clients and those of the competitive landscape are critical to the design of our strategic plans. This survey provides unmatched data,” said Jim Underhill, CEO of the Americas for Cushman & Wakefield. “Collecting and leveraging this knowledge helps us transform our clients’ real estate into a competitive asset supporting their growth and success"

Sherry Cushman, Executive Managing Director and Head of LSAG, added, “The results we collected in 2013 have been shared with over 500 legal professionals, representing over 250 law firms in 26 cities, informing them of the trends and developments in real estate within the legal sector. Both large and small firms have benefitted from and used this assembled knowledge to improve their standing in a very competitive marketplace.”

In response to the success of the inaugural survey, Cushman & Wakefield partnered with ALM Legal Intelligence this year to prepare and distribute the survey. ALM Legal Intelligence is a leading provider of detailed business information and competitive intelligence about the legal industry to top U.S. and international law firms and their clients, including The Am Law 100 and 200.

During the next 90 days, LSAG professionals will work to confidentially gather completed surveys from the legal community, including Global Real Estate Directors, Chairmen, Executive Directors, Managing and Real Estate Partners, and Senior Administrators throughout the United States. Cushman & Wakefield will analyze the data and produce a detailed, statistics-based report—one that includes future industry projections on how law firms can capitalize on real estate to leverage their position in the marketplace.

Information submitted by individual firms will be collected in a blind fashion and is therefore completely anonymous. The collective data, however, is extremely valuable to participating firms as it offers a comprehensive perspective of how a firm stacks up against its peers in relation to real estate expenses, location and efficiencies. This is important from a competitive standpoint because it provides insight into how similar-sized firms use real estate as a vehicle to decrease overhead, improve overall operations and increase profits.

Cushman & Wakefield will compile the confidential survey results after the survey closes on August 31, analyze the data, and produce a detailed, statistics-based report for survey participants that will include future industry projections. In 2013, 286 law firms responded to the LSAG survey, including, 26 percent designated as Am Law 200 firms (signifying the largest 200 U.S. law firms based on revenue). Firms from every region of the United States responded.

Law firms interested in participating in the 2014 National Legal Sector Benchmark Survey should contact Sherry Cushman (sherry.cushman@cushwake.com; 202-471-3595) to request a hard-copy survey or an online link.

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) April 24, 2014 - In 2014's March/April Issue, BLF helps legal professionals tone and strengthen their marketing approach with new services, tools and tactics.

In this issue's feature, “The Strength of Google Plus,” James Ambroff-Tahan draws focus to the surprising power of the once-struggling social network. Integration with the world's most popular search engine links your profile to other powerful web forces, including YouTube, while its Circles allow you to target your key demographics precisely. Your Google Plus content, keywords and hashtags can attract more potential clients in their own right — and they can also boost the rankings users find through traditional Google searches.

A new forum has emerged for crowd-sourced discussion of complex legal topics. Mootus revolves around fact and citation, and it may become an invaluable resource to attorneys across the nation. In “Mootus: A New Forum for Legal Argument Online,” Brendan Conley explains why.

“The New Paradigm of Classic Content Marketing” digs into marketing tactics, both old and new, that use information and assistance to attract clients. Diane Dean Epps guides law firm representatives through the “Five Ws” of this valuable technique (Who, What, Why, When, Where and How, if you recall your elementary school grammar lessons).

Deadline-related mistakes are the number one cause of legal malpractice claims. In “Taking the Law Into Your Own Handheld,” Kerrie Spenser examines the perks and practicalities of Deadlines on Demand, a new calendar and deadline management program that can help your firm stay on track.

Brendan Conley encourages readers to start “Looking Beyond Powerpoint,” exploring powerful, accessible (and, in some cases, free) presentation options that keep your jury engaged and your firm at the top of its form.

Parents and teachers already know that they can encourage a child's diligence and enthusiasm for a task by turning it into a game. You can find examples of “gamification” in military, pilot and medical training, too. Now, the tactic has made its way to the corporate world. In “Gamification: Using Games to Educate and Motivate,” Ryan Conley explains how and why it may benefit your firm.

Justin Torres breaks down “What's Next in Tech,” reporting from the showcases at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. From Ultra High Definition screens to improvements in wireless connectivity, these developments can help you polish and streamline the most important parts of your work.

When a website goes against Google's policies, the search engine reacts. Marketing teams often fear a Manual Action from the company, which can actively damage search engine rankings until violations are reconciled. But in this issue's Obiter Dicta, BLF founder Jason Bland explains how an unfortunate circumstance can turn into an opportunity to scrub away outdated tactics that were only useful or permissible in years past.

To learn more about how to build a Bigger Law Firm, visit https://www.biggerlawfirm.com

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• Google Limits Search Results Per Domain for More Diversity – How Does This Affect Law Firms?
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San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) March 28, 2014 - Custom Legal Marketing's new Legal Marketing Lab digs in to their vast library of stats to see how many visits it takes to convert a lead.

To find out how many times a visitor visited a law firm’s website before contacting them, the Adviatech company that works with midsized to large law firms, Custom Legal Marketing, examined 70,000 leads from various practice areas in multiple cities across the U. S.

The leads examined were only those that filled out online contact forms and were considered to be unique visitors. A visitor could make additional visits, but they were not counted (for this report) until they had left the website for at least half an hour before returning.

The results showed that a little over 82 percent of online visitors used a form to make contact with a law firm the first time they landed on their website. Just about 10 percent decided to wait until their second visit before making any inquiries. This and other statistical information is available in more complete detail, by subscribing to the Custom Legal Marketing Lab podcast on iTunes.

The study also shows that 3 percent of website contact leads decided to contact a law firm after their third visit, while 1.3 percent felt that four to five visits were best before making any decisions. About 1 percent opted to continue researching and return six to eight times before filling out a contact form and 1.7 percent visited between nine and 100 times before filling out a form.

Analytics like this are vital to a law firm’s marketing strategy to assist them in understanding how their firm gets leads, where they come from, how often they visit and how long it takes to fill out an online contact form. With the main focus being contact-to-client conversion, and anticipating long-term sustainable results, it is important to know how a website is performing and analyze what other contact methods may increase leads, such as click-to-call capabilities for mobile users.

Read the full report at the Legal Marketing Lab at http://www.customlegalmarketing.com/lab/how-many-visits-does-it-take-to-convert-a-visitor/.

Learn more at http://www.customlegalmarketing.com/.

Custom Legal Marketing
An Adviatech company
1111 Kearny St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 1.415.449.1985
Toll Free: 1.800.789.6451

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EVENT IN MAY WILL ATTRACT 1,200 ATTENDEES, 200 EXHIBITORS AND OFFER STELLAR EDUCATION, SPEAKERS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Lincolnshire, IL (Law Firm Newswire) March 26, 2014 - The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) will present its “2014 Annual Conference & Exposition, An Education & Networking Mosaic” May 19-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The event promises to deliver top-shelf educational and networking opportunities to approximately 1,200 legal management professionals from more than a dozen countries.

“ALA is the undisputed leader for the business of law, focused on the delivery of cutting-edge management and leadership products and services to the global legal community,” says Mark Bridgeman, CLM, Chairman of ALA’s 2014 Annual Conference Committee. “This year’s conference is built around that vision, and attendees should be prepared to walk away with the information, skills and connections they need to prepare their organizations for the future of the legal industry.

What’s in store for Conference attendees? Among the highlights:

• 90+ education sessions, the most ever at an ALA Annual Conference, with most qualifying for CLE and CPE credit and 48 that qualify for HRCI recertification credit, among other credits available.
• The Managing Partner Track, with sessions designed to meet the unique education needs of law firm managing partners.
• The Legal Office of the Future: Innovation Lab, an interactive experience presented by ALA in partnership with Gensler.
• 200 exhibits in the Legal Marketplace featuring cutting-edge products and services for law firms and legal departments
• An inspirational keynote address by Captain Mark Kelly with his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords
• The Grand Finale Event featuring an exclusive, live concert by rock band REO Speedwagon

“This year’s Conference clearly positions ALA as the undisputed leader in the business of law,” says ALA Executive Director Oliver Yandle, “and showcases the knowledge, technologies and trends legal professionals must embrace to drive success.”

For more information and to register for the Conference, which is open to ALA member and non-member legal professionals, visit www.alanet.org/conf.

Media passes: Credentialed media may contact ALA Director of Marketing Gwen Biasi at 847.267.1377 or gbiasi@alanet.org.

For more information on ALA, visit http://www.alanet.org

Association of Legal Administrators
75 Tri-State International, Suite 222
Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4435

Participants are paid to review branding material and provide feedback on proposed designs.

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) March 18, 2014 - When law firms rebrand, create new marketing literature or design a new website, they want to know what their target market thinks. Anyone who has hired a lawyer in the United States after 2004 can now receive compensation for participation in a Custom Legal Marketing focus group.

To qualify, a focus group participant must have retained a lawyer within the last 10 years. Both the focus group member and the retained attorney must have been (and be) located in the United States. Proof of the attorney-client relationship must be presented.

Participants are paid to review branding material and provide feedback on proposed designs. Compensation varies between projects but averages $35/hr.

Focus group members are generally paired with law firms in similar practice areas to those of the attorney(s) they have retained. Personal information is only shared with Custom Legal Marketing's parent company, Adviatech Corp. Only comments are shared with clients.

With marketing literature, it isn't what the partners or the design agency thinks that matters most. Future clients come first. Custom Legal Marketing helps midsized and large law firms market their practices by providing detail-oriented marketing plans.

Learn more at http://www.customlegalmarketing.com/focus-group/.

Custom Legal Marketing
An Adviatech company
222 Columbus Ave. #412
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 1.415.449.1985
Toll Free: 1.800.789.6451

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The post Have You Hired a Lawyer? Get Paid for Feedback by Joining a Custom Legal Marketing Focus Group first appeared on Law Firm Newswire.

Participants are paid to review branding material and provide feedback on proposed designs.

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) March 18, 2014 - When law firms rebrand, create new marketing literature or design a new website, they want to know what their target market thinks. Anyone who has hired a lawyer in the United States after 2004 can now receive compensation for participation in a Custom Legal Marketing focus group.

To qualify, a focus group participant must have retained a lawyer within the last 10 years. Both the focus group member and the retained attorney must have been (and be) located in the United States. Proof of the attorney-client relationship must be presented.

Participants are paid to review branding material and provide feedback on proposed designs. Compensation varies between projects but averages $35/hr.

Focus group members are generally paired with law firms in similar practice areas to those of the attorney(s) they have retained. Personal information is only shared with Custom Legal Marketing's parent company, Adviatech Corp. Only comments are shared with clients.

With marketing literature, it isn't what the partners or the design agency thinks that matters most. Future clients come first. Custom Legal Marketing helps midsized and large law firms market their practices by providing detail-oriented marketing plans.

Learn more at http://www.customlegalmarketing.com/focus-group/.

Custom Legal Marketing
An Adviatech company
222 Columbus Ave. #412
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 1.415.449.1985
Toll Free: 1.800.789.6451

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