Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program Feb. 9

Heather Jarvis will present "Managing Law Student Loan Debt: Federal Loan Repayment Assistance Programs" on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 11th Floor Conference Center, 1101 Market St.

Jarvis is a national expert on educational debt and financial barriers facing law school graduates and income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The program is free to all members of the Philadelphia Bar Association, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online at philadelphiabar.org. This program is co-sponsored by the Association’s Public Interest Section, Delivery of Legal Services Committee, Law School Outreach Committee and the Young Lawyers Division.

Mock Trial Volunteer Judges, Coaches Needed

Each spring students from approximately 40 public, private, and parochial schools are given the opportunity play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictitious criminal or civil case, focusing on real legal issues.

We hope that you will join us for an experience that is rewarding for both our volunteer judges and our students. You can sign up to judge as many trials as you would like and each trial will require a 2-3 hour time commitment.

Please pass this information along to your friends and colleagues. You can direct any questions to Kristy Littman at littmanak@sec.gov.

Click here to view the schedule and sign up to judge.

Click here to view this year’s Case Materials.

Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness Feb. 29

The Young Lawyers Division and Bar Foundation Board Observation Workshop will present the Live, Lunch and Learn program "Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness" on Wednesday, Feb. 29.

The featured speaker is Fernando Chang-Muy, University of Pennsylvania School of Law Thomas O'Boyle Lecturer in Law. This is the first in a four-part series of Live, Lunch and Learns focused on nonprofit board participation for young attorneys. This program will focus on how effective organizations are productive, resourceful, and successful. An effective organization achieves its goals while adhering to its mission statement. To this end, in part, effectiveness is relative to the intrinsic values of a particular organization. However, there are objective business strategies that winning companies employ in order to increase organizational effectiveness. This program is co-sponsored by the Public Interest Section.

The program begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $8 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association and $9.50 for non-members. Click here to register. Cancellations require 24 hours notice.

Sadie Alexander Conference Feb. 18

Join the University of Pennsylvania Law School's Black Law Student Association for their 24th Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The conference provides an opportunity for law students and lawyers to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Alexander, the first African-American woman to graduate from the Law School. The conference begins with a career fair at 9 a.m. held at the law school, followed by several discussion panels including: The Innovative JD - Discovering the Creative Ways to Utilize a Law Degree, Professional Growth - The Life of a Lawyer in Stages, and a networking panel hosted by Deborah Collins, executive director of the Economic Development Corporation of Essex County.

Confirmed panelists include Alan Seiffert (SyFy Ventures at NBC Universal), David A. Love (Executive Director at Witness to Innocence), Derron Harris (Manager of Football Administration for the Philadelphia Eagles), Kedric Payne (Deputy Chief Counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics), and The Honorable Cynthia W. Fordham (PA Public Utility Commission).

The conference will be followed by a cocktail reception and banquet dinner at the University City Sheraton Hotel at 6:30 p.m. Judge Magdeline Coleman, the first African-American woman to sit on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District, will be the keynote speaker.

For more information regarding the conference schedule and registration, please visit www.pennlawblsa.com or contact Melinda Patterson at blsasadieconference@gmail.com.

Are You Falling Down on Following Up?

By Kimberly Alford Rice

Of all the marketing initiatives that are critical for lawyers to commit to, the most basic and seemingly obvious is the “sin” of omission - - the failure to follow up.

We have worked with lawyers who have spent innumerable hours and thousands of dollars chasing after new clients and prospects but have largely been unsuccessful in retentions because of a gap in their business development process: following up.

A Follow-Up Re-Do

As part of the business development process, lawyers must recognize and integrate into their “SOP” (standard operating procedures), action steps that extend beyond “showing up.” By leaving out the planning and following up components, lawyers are short circuiting the process, leaving money on the table, and becoming more cynical that marketing actually “works”, however one defines that.

Contrasting the legal profession with corporate America in developing new business, one only has to examine the models of each. Corporate America devotes billions of dollars every year to “sales and marketing”, to the process of cultivating and nurturing new prospect relationships leading to a “sale”. The typical sales process may involve innumerable “follow ups” before a sale is actually consummated.

The legal profession historically has played a reactive role wherein new clients (new sales) seek out the law firm to engage them. It is unwise in these ultra competitive times and a poor business model to continue this practice. If lawyers are the ones seeking new business or even additional work from existing clients, the obligation falls upon them to pursue it and continue to make contacts until they are directed otherwise. (Remember, studies show that it takes at least 7-10 “touches” to become top-of-mind with clients and prospects).

Difference Faces of Follow Up

Though follow up can take many different approaches, the overall non-negotiable component involves any action step which provokes the other party (existing client, prospect, etc.) to want to continue contact with you. You are focused on cultivating and nurturing relationships which will ultimately be mutually beneficial and add value.

A few examples of effective follow up include:
• Brief thank you emails following an event (networking, educational programs, or entertainment).
• Handwritten notes of congratulations for personal or business accomplishments.
• Links to a relevant news article in which your contact would benefit.
• Personal visits to a client’s work site to deliver a work product.
• Invitations to social events, professional organization programs, or business workshops.

The more lawyers engage in marketing initiatives, the most important task to remember is to plan appropriately before taking any action what the follow-up steps will be, who will take them, and in what time frame. Treat this component of the business development process as you would a client obligation and coordinate your calendar with all parties involved. It is in this step that the revenue will be found, the meaningful business relationships will be established and robust practices will be built.

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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Civil Practice CLE Feb. 29

The Support Center for Child Advocates and Philadelphia VIP will present the new training program "Civil Practice: From Filing to Decision" on Wednesday, Feb. 29.

This two-part, four-hour program is a condensed guide to pro bono civil practice in Philadelphia. Registrants can attend either or both sessions and earn two free CLE credits for each session attended if they take one VIP case to completion for each two credits earned or are a current Child Advocates volunteer. The program will be held at New Century Trust, 1307 Locust St.

The first part of the program, from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m., will cover the nuts and bolts of civil practice. The second part of the program, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., will cover trial practice and the art of advocacy. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Supervising Judge Allan L. Tereshko will provide opening remarks. Faculty includes award-winning trial lawyers Gerald A. McHugh Jr. and Regina M. Foley of Raynes McCarty and VIP staff attorneys Maisha Elonai and Michael Viola. For more information, and to register, please contact Christina Ortiz at Phillyvip@phillyvip.org or call 215-523-9550.

Wills for Heroes Volunteers Needed Feb. 11

The Wills for Heroes program is a free and easy service which provides Wills, Living Wills, Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney to first responders and their spouses/partners. Due to the nature of their work, this service helps ensure their family's legal affairs are in order in case an unfortunate tragedy occurs. More information can be found at www.willsforheroes.org.

The event will be conducted for all active and retired Pennsylvania First Responders of FOP Lodge #5, members of the Guardian Civic League, Philadelphia City Hall Deputies, all sworn personnel and their spouses or significant others.

No prior legal experience with estate law is necessary to volunteer for this great cause. Comprehensive training will be provided prior the appointments commencing. Volunteers will be eligible for two free Pennsylvania CLE credits.

If you are interested, please contact Dan McKenna at mckennad@ballardsphar.com or Felix Yelin at felix.yelin@courts.phila.gov.

Center City Crime Victim Services Community Enrichment and Engagement Awards Night Feb. 23

The Community Enrichment and Engagement Award is given to those who work tirelessly in our community, channeling their passion into improving and connecting our community to support the rights of individuals, creating a a sense of community between the residents and promoting social legal justice for everyone.

Tickets to the event are $60.00, The event will include wine, beer and food with remarks from Mayor Nutter. To reserve tickets click here. Under comments please include your name and the number of tickets you are requesting. On the night of the event your tickets will be available at the door.

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