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Live Event

(POSTPONED) Take Charge! Solo and Small Firm Conference


CLE Hours: 12 including 12 General, 1 Ethics, 1 Professionalism, 0 Trial Practice

Categories:
Ethics |  Professionalism
Location:
State Bar of Georgia - Atlanta, Georgia

Dates
Schedule at a glance

Description

 

  • Speakers, session times and credit hours are subject to change.
  • Ethics | Professionalism | Trial Practice

 

  • Presiding:
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis, Program Chair; Director, State Bar of Georgia Law Practice Management Program, Atlanta, GA

  • Thursday,
    September 26, 2024


  • 8:00–10:00
  • Conference & Exhibit Hall Setup

  • 9:00–10:00
  • Coffee & Conference Registration
  • Location: Auditorium Foyer
  • Conference Bags Sponsored by LawPay | MyCase

  • 10:00–10:10
  • Welcome and Institute Kickoff
  • Location: Conference A
  • Damon E. Elmore, Executive Director, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis

  • 10:10–11:10
  • PLENARY
  • AI DOOMSDAY
  • Location: Conference A
  • Matthew “Matt” Wetherington, Founding Attorney, Wetherington Law Firm, PC, Atlanta, GA

  • 11:15–12:25
  • Lunch and Exhibit Hall Crawl

  • Complimentary Headshots (Exhibit Hours)
  • Location: Rear Auditorium
  • Provided by Zator Media

  • Complimentary Bar Profile Updates (Exhibit Hours)
  • Location: Rear Auditorium
  • Provided by RELIAGUIDE

  • Complimentary Makeup Bar (Exhibit Hours)
  • Location: Rear Auditorium
  • Provided by Beauty II Behold

  • 12:30–1:30
  • PLENARY
  • INNOVATING YOUR WORK-LIFE BLEND: WELLNESS CONSIDERATIONS & PRACTICAL STRATEGIES
  • Location: Conference A
  • Moderator:
  • Michelle Urbani Wallace, Counsel and Founding Owner, Advantage Law Firm, Atlanta, GA
  • Panelists:
  • Dr. Joanne Peeler Ph.D., Past President, Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA
  • Jeremy Patrick Burnette, Partner, Ackerman LLP, Atlanta, GA


  • 1:35–2:35
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CLIENTS
  • Location: Room 1
  • Debora “Debi” Phillips, COO, Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein, Atlanta, GA

  • MANAGING GROWTH AND ABUNDANCE: BUILD MORE THAN YOUR OWN JOB, BUILD A LAW FIRM BUSINESS
  • Location: Room 5
  • Travis Townsend, Jr., Co-Founding Partner, Townsend & Lockett, LLC, Atlanta, GA

  • A LAWYER’S PLAYBOOK: THE LEGAL EVOLUTION OF ATHLETE NIL RIGHTS
  • Location: Room 3
  • Ellakisha O’Kelley, Principal Attorney, Scire De Jure Legal Firm, LLC, Riverdale, GA

  • TRANSITIONING INTO FLAT FEE BILLING
  • Location: Conference A
  • T. Jayden Doyé, CPA, Prestige Accounting & Consulting, Atlanta, GA

  • SMARTBAR
  • HOW TO DO E-DISCOVERY IN A DIGITAL-BASED WORLD: THE BASICS OF HOW TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, REVIEW, AND PRODUCE ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Brett Burney, Vice President / eDiscovery Consulting, Nextpoint Law Group, Phoenix, AZ

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • GET OVER YOURSELF! IT’S TIME TO DELEGATE
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Raquel Gomes, Founder & CEO, Stafi, Miami, FL
  • Valentina Grosso, Vice President, Stafi, Miami, FL

  • 2:40–3:15
  • Exhibit Hall Break
  • Location: Auditorium Foyer
  • Sponsored by Woven Legal LLC


  • 3:20–4:20
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • IOLTA TRUST ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
  • Location: Room 5
  • T. Jayden Doyé, CPA, Prestige Accounting & Consulting, Atlanta, GA

  • CYBERSECURITY FOR LAWYERS: RISK MANAGING YOUR PRACTICE AND ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS
  • Location: Conference A
  • Wilson Joseph, CEO, Level3MD, LLC, Dacula, GA

  • HOW TO NAVIGATE AND INVESTIGATE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
  • Location: Room 3
  • Pamela Grimes, Of Counsel, Wilson Elser, Atlanta, GA

  • STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT IN 2024 AND BEYOND
  • Location: Room 1
  • Meagan McGuire, Senior Advisor, Student Loan Planner, Durham, NC

  • WEBSITE MAKEOVER: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR ATTORNEYS TO SHINE ONLINE
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Sonia Lakhany, Managing Trademark Attorney, Lakhany Law, PC; Founder, 4L Education, Inc, Atlanta, GA

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • OUT OF THE BOX WAYS TO RESOLVE FAMILY LAW DISPUTES
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Randall “Randy” Kessler, Founding Partner, Kessler & Solomiany LLC, Atlanta, GA

  • 4:25–5:25
  • PLENARY
  • 60 TIPS, GADGETS, SITES IN 60 MINUTES
  • Location: Conference A
  • Moderator:
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis
  • Panelists:
  • Sheila Baldwin, Member Benefits Coordinator, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
  • Brett Burney, Vice President/eDiscovery Consulting, Nextpoint Law Group, Atlanta, GA
  • Regina Edwards, Owner & Managing Attorney, Edwards Family Law, Lawrenceville, GA
  • Dr. Felix Hernandez, CIO, All American Technology Solutions Group; Keynote Speaker, Author and Trainer, Felix Hern Speaks, Atlanta, GA
  • Sonia Lakhany, Managing Trademark Attorney, Lakhany Law, PC; Founder, 4L Education, Inc, Atlanta, GA
  • Matthew “Matt” Wetherington

  • 5:25
  • Recess

  • 5:30–6:30
  • Networking Open Bar Reception
  • Location: Auditorium Foyer
  • Presented by Chef Louie
  • Sponsored by Clio

  • Friday,
    September 27, 2024


  • 7:00–8:00
  • Conference Registration with Coffee & Breakfast

  • 7:50–8:00
  • Greetings from the State Bar
  • Julia D. Neighbors, ICLE Director, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta, GA

  • 8:00–9:00
    PLENARY
    PROFESSIONALISM AND SUCCESSION PLANNING PANEL provides professionalism credit
    Location: Conference A
    Moderator:
    Karlise Y. Grier, Executive Director, Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, Atlanta, GA
    Panelists:
    Stanley E. Foster, Senior Partner, Hollowell Foster & Herring PC, Atlanta, GA
    James "Jim" D. Hogan, Jr., Attorney at Law, Hogan & Stoye Law Group, Marietta, GA

  • 9:00–9:25
  • Exhibit Hall Break
  • Location: Auditorium Foyer
  • Sponsored by Zagoria Law Firm


  • 9:25–10:25
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • SMARTBAR
    CREATE AN EFFECTIVE 5-PART MARKETING STRATEGY FOR YOUR LAW FIRM
    Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
    April Roberts, Co-Founder, NOMOS Marketing, Mount Pleasant, SC
    Tyler Roberts, Co-Founder, NOMOS Marketing, Mount Pleasant, SC

  • RUNNING AN ESTATE PLANNING PRACTICE
    Location: Room 1
    Thua G. Barlay, Partner, Lueder Larkin & Hunter LLC, Atlanta, GA

  • SUPERSIZED RETIREMENT PLANS FOR SMALL AND SOLO LAW FIRMS
  • Location: Room 5
  • Shannon Gentry Lanier, Vice President / Investments, Gracestone / Synovus Securities, Inc, Augusta, GA

  • BANKRUPTCY BASICS FOR THE NON-BANKRUPTCY LAWYER
  • Location: Room 3
  • Shayna Steinfeld, President and CEO, Steinfeld & Steinfeld PC, Atlanta, GA

  • PROTECT YOUR DATA FROM THE DARK WEB
  • Location: Conference A
  • Dr. Felix Hernandez, CIO, All American Technology Solutions Group / Felix Hern Speaks, Atlanta, GA

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • SAVE YOUR SANITY: DOCUMENT AND WORKFLOW AUTOMATION FOR ATTORNEYS
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Jordan Turk, Attorney & Legal Technology Advisor, Smokeball, Inc, Austin, TX

  • 10:30–11:30
  • PLENARY
  • REGULATING AI AND LEGAL TECH INNOVATIONS PANEL provides ethics credit
  • Location: Conference A
  • Moderator:
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis, Director, Law Practice Management Program, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
  • Panelists:
  • Kimberly Y. Bennett, Founding Attorney, Fidu, Atlanta, GA
  • Yuri Eliezer, Managing Partner and Intellectual Property Practice Group Chair, Founders Legal Bekiares Eliezer LLP, Atlanta, GA
  • Paula Frederick, General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
  • Sara Muender, Business Coach, Lawyerist Lab, Atlanta, GA


  • 11:35–12:35
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR SMALL FIRMS
  • Location: Room 5
  • Karen Neal Strobel, Click IT Computers Marietta, Marietta, GA

  • IP LAW UPDATE
  • Location: Room 3
  • N. Andrew Crain, Partner, Thomas Horstemeyer, LLP, Atlanta, GA

  • OPTIMIZING LAW FIRM OPERATIONS WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
  • Location: Conference A
  • Cynthia Thomas, Owner, PLMC & Associates, Newbury Park, CA

  • TURN $100 INTO $280 (OR MORE!) WITH REMOTE ASSOCIATES
  • Location: Room 1
  • Kristin Tyler, Co-Founder, LAWCLERK, Las Vegas, NV

  • SMARTBAR
  • DESIGN (OR REFINE) YOUR FLAT FEES IN ONE HOUR
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Kimberly Bennett, Founding Attorney, Fidu, Atlanta, GA

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • FINDING THE RIGHT CLIENTS: COST-EFFECTIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR LAW FIRMS
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Edward “Eddie” Dzialo, Copywriter, Spotlight Branding, Mooresville, NC
  • Casie Stark, Business Development Manager, Spotlight Branding, Charlotte, NC

  • 12:40–1:20
  • Exhibitors’ Farewell Lunch & Bingo Raffle Prizes
  • Location: Auditorium & Auditorium Foyer


  • 1:20–2:20
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • LEGAL MALPRACTICE, ETHICS, AND RISK MANAGEMENT
  • Location: Room 1
  • Douglas V. Chandler, Board Certified Legal Malpractice Attorney, Chandler LLC, Alpharetta, GA
  • Benjamin “Ben” Parks, Senior Underwriter, Attorneys Insurance Mutual, Newnan, GA

  • LAW FIRM PERSONNEL: PRACTICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
  • Location: Room 5
  • Jamala McFadden, Managing Partner, The Employment Law Solution, Atlanta, GA

  • IMMIGRATION ISSUE SPOTTING AND THE PRACTICE OF LAW
  • Location: Room 3
  • Dara Berger Morris, Partner, Acker Berger Immigration Law LLC, Atlanta, GA

  • SMARTBAR
  • HOW TO MASTER DELEGATION
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Meg Garavaglia, Owner, Woven Legal, Roswell, GA

  • MOBILE ETHICS: HOW TO ENSURE YOUR MOBILE PRACTICE IS SECURE AND PROTECTED
  • Location: Conference A
  • Brett Burney, Vice President/eDiscovery Consulting, Nextpoint Law Group, Phoenix, AZ

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • MEET YOUR NEW MARKETING ASSISTANT-AI
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Katherine “Kate” Bell, Affinity Partnerships Manager, Clio, Atlanta, GA


  • 2:25–3:25
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • MODERN OPTIONS FOR STAFFING SOLO/SMALL FIRMS
  • Location: Room 5
  • Traci A. Weiss, Owner, Weiss Family Law, Atlanta, GA

  • ELEVATING YOUR PRACTICE: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS FOR NEW ESTATE PLANNING PRACTITIONERS
  • Location: Room 3
  • Tamika Johnson, CEO, T.M. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, Lilburn, GA

  • FINANCIAL WELLNESS IN SOLO AND SMALL LAW FIRMS: NAVIGATING BELIEFS, CHOICES, AND TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
  • Location: Room 1
  • R. Javoyne Hicks, Secretary, State Bar of Georgia Attorney Wellness Committee; Founder & CEO, Magnifying Synergy, LLC, Atlanta, GA

  • EARLY AND OFTEN: BETTER CLIENT COMMUNICATION THROUGH AUTOMATION
  • Location: Conference A
  • Regina Edwards, Owner and Managing Attorney, Edwards Family Law, Lawrenceville, GA

  • SMARTBAR
  • SIGN RIGHT HERE: A SURVEY OF PROVISIONS FOR YOUR ATTORNEY CLIENT AGREEMENTS FROM “MUST HAVES” TO “OPTIONAL” CLAUSES”
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Claude Ducloux, National Speaker on Legal Ethics, Litigation, and Law Office Management; Attorney at Law, LawPay & MyCase, Austin, TX

  • EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
  • AI IN LEGAL: LEVERAGING AI FOR DOCUMENT REVIEW, CREATION, AND MANAGEMENT
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Aaron Fritz, Legal Technology Consultant, Inertia Legal, Gainesville, GA


  • 3:30–4:30
  • TRACKS
  • (Please choose one)

  • INTRODUCTION TO VLEX FASTCASE: YOUR FREE LEGAL RESEARCH BENEFIT
  • Location: Room 5
  • Thomas “T.J.” Diggins, vLex Fastcase, Atlanta, GA

  • BUILDING A THRIVING VIRTUAL LAW PRACTICE
  • Location: Conference A
  • Sonia Lakhany, Managing Trademark Attorney, Lakhany Law, PC.; Founder, 4L Education, Inc.

  • BUILDING BRANDED LEADERSHIP: HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BUSINESS WHILE BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC BRAND
  • Location: Room 3
  • Olamide Imoukhuede, Founding Attorney, OMI Legal LLC, Atlanta, GA and New York, NY

  • PRODUCTIZING LEGAL SERVICES: CREATE AND SELL DIGITAL CONTENT, SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES, WORKSHOPS
  • Location: Presidents Boardroom
  • Sara Muender, Lab Coach, Laweryist, Largo, FL

  • SMARTBAR
  • REPLACE THE B-U-S-Y WITH AI (AND AUTOMATION)
  • Location: YLD Presidents Boardroom
  • Katherine “Kate” Bell, Affinity Partnerships Manager, Clio, Atlanta, GA

  • 4:30 – 4:35
  • Conference Wrap Up
  • Location: Auditorium Foyer
  • Program Staff, State Bar of Georgia, Law Practice Management

  • 4:35
  • ADJOURN

 

Version 9

 

Handouts

Lodging Reservations

GLENN HOTEL

 

 

Lodging Reservations

The Cut-Off Date to book your reservation online was 9/4/2024. 

 

Book Your Reservation Directly

Glenn Hotel: (404) 521-2250

 

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Solo & Small Firm Conference!

Sponsors

Clio Logo

Platinum Sponsor

Clio, the most connected legal technology, is transforming the legal experience for all through cloud-based and client-centered solutions that integrate with 250+ apps. Firms of all sizes and practice areas use Clio to manage firm operations, improve client experiences, streamline billing and payments, and automate legal documents—saving lawyers time.

LawPay and MyCase Logos

Friends Sponsor

MyCase and LawPay offer legal professionals the tools they need to succeed. MyCase provides a comprehensive case management system, while LawPay simplifies online payments. Together, these solutions cover all aspects of legal practice, including lead management, billing, and invoicing. With MyCase and LawPay, law firms can focus on their clients and core business activities, knowing they have the best tools for the job.

Interested in being a Sponsor or Exhibitor?
Click here for more information.

 

Exhibitors

Clear Numbers Bookkeeping Logo

Company Profile

We offer bookkeeping services for attorneys through an online process that removes the burden of maintaining your own accounts, at a fraction of the cost of an in-house bookkeeper or a traditional firm.

Clio Logo

Company Profile

Clio, the most connected legal technology, is transforming the legal experience for all through cloud-based and client-centered solutions that integrate with 250+ apps. Firms of all sizes and practice areas use Clio to manage firm operations, improve client experiences, streamline billing and payments, and automate legal documents—saving lawyers time.

LAWCLERK Logo

Company Profile

LAWCLERK offers several flexible solutions to help your team scale up (or down) with remote associates, depending on your needs. Whether you need help with intake of hundreds of new clients, drafting pleadings, managing discovery or preparing for trial - we have solutions to fit your needs.

LawPay and MyCase Logos

Company Profile

MyCase and LawPay offer legal professionals the tools they need to succeed. MyCase provides a comprehensive case management system, while LawPay simplifies online payments. Together, these solutions cover all aspects of legal practice, including lead management, billing, and invoicing. With MyCase and LawPay, law firms can focus on their clients and core business activities, knowing they have the best tools for the job.

Levitate Logo

Company Profile

Levitate is a client happiness platform designed to help legal professionals build & maintain authentic relationships with their clients. Levitate's platform allows users to send personal emails at scale, post to social media, keep in touch with clients via text, send surveys, schedule meetings, automate communication, remember key facts about their contacts, and accomplish business goals with a personalized approach.

NOMOS Marketing Logo

Company Profile

NOMOS Marketing is a full-service marketing agency for lawyers on a mission to make the law more approachable, more accessible, and ultimately more human. We create client-centered marketing strategies that combine authentic storytelling, high-quality visuals, and design to engage and capture your ideal clients.

SmokeBall Logo

Company Profile

Smokeball is the cloud-based legal practice management software that automatically records time spent on each matter, so your law firm can bill more hours with ease. Our library of 20,000+ pre-loaded forms and robust Microsoft Office integration allows staff to complete documents with a few clicks. Regardless of how you bill, Smokeball provides the insights and tools to get more hours back in your day.

Spotlight Branding Logo

Company Profile

Spotlight Branding provides comprehensive marketing solutions to small law firms, which enhance your online presence and keep you top-of-mind with your audience. We design compelling websites, engaging social media, video, and blog content - plus robust email newsletters! We'll help you achieve more referrals, better quality clients, and higher marketing ROI.

Stafi Logo

Company Profile

Stafi provides remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our virtual assistants, legal assistants, receptionists, intake client specialists, sales representatives, and paralegals are thoroughly trained to effectively manage multiple tasks, from answering customer queries to booking family activities and managing your calendar and appointments. Plus, you get to save costs with our easy subscription-based service.

SynerG Logo

Company Profile

EXCLUSIVELY FOR LAWYERS. Free yourself from being an Office Manager. Start practicing law the day you hang or move your shingle. Enjoy concierge services, networking events, premium refreshments, a referral system, and much more.

Taylor Auction Co. Logo

Company Profile

We are a 3rd Generation Auction Company licensed in over 18 states & provinces with over 82 years of combined experience in the Auction & Real Estate business, as Professional Asset liquidators we can handle any size sale you bring to us from start to finish regardless of location.

Beauty II Be Hold Logo

Company Profile

Beauty II Behold Makeup Artist is a professional makeup service specializing in enhancing natural beauty through personalized, creative makeup artistry. Known for working with clients in various settings, from special events to professional photoshoots, Beauty II Behold delivers flawless, long-lasting looks that highlight each client’s unique features. With a focus on exceptional client experience and attention to detail, they create stunning transformations while maintaining a deep commitment to quality, artistry, and client satisfaction.

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor?
Click here for more information.

 

Know Before You Go...

PREPARING TO ATTEND 

  • If you have an impairment or require any assistance, please email icle@gabar.org. 

  • Children are not permitted to attend ICLE programs. Please arrange for childcare prior to arrival. 

  • Although a power charging station will be available, please arrive with all electronic devices fully charged. 

  • PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE MATERIALS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL TO ENSURE A SMOOTH EXPERIENCE. 

  • If you ARE A MEMBER OF THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA and have difficulty entering your login/password information, please contact the Membership Department at 404-527-8777 or Membership@gabar.org. 

  • If you are NOT A MEMBER OF THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA and have difficulty entering your login/password information, please contact the ICLE Department at 678-529-6688 or ICLE@gabar.org. 

  • Once logged in, please select “Go to ICLE Classes/Seminars.” 

Select Your Sessions and Plan Your Conference 

The 2024 Take Charge! Solo and Small Firm Conference offers over 40 engaging breakout sessions and workshops, each tailored to help you advance your legal practice. Attendees can explore the full session lineup online, allowing for easy pre-conference planning to ensure you get the most out of your time. Whether you're focused on the latest in legal technology, innovative marketing strategies, or essential practice management techniques, this premier event has something for everyone. 

Visit the Exhibit Hall 

The Exhibit Hall is the go-to place to explore cutting-edge legal technologies that can streamline case management, research, and billing. 

Get hands-on experience with new software solutions before deciding on a purchase. Find business solutions tailored to your firm's unique needs, helping to address specific pain points. 

Location

State Bar of Georgia

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104 Marietta St. NW, 3rd Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
(404) 527-8700
www.gabar.org

Important Information

Please be advised that your credit will not be reported to the State Bar of Georgia CLE Regulation Department until after you have completed the steps necessary to earn credit for that program. 

Self reporting is required for all other jurisdictions.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes. The opinions expressed by the faculty in their materials and presentations are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the State Bar of Georgia, its officers, directors and/or employees. The faculty is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional advice and these presentations and publications are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. All publications and presentations were created to serve the continuing legal education needs of practicing attorneys.

Clicking the Add to Cart button signals acceptance of ICLE’s registration guidelines.

You can find FAQs here.