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Upcoming Speaking Engagements
.New speaking engagements will be posted soon
Past Speaking Engagements
Ethics for Breakfast: Ethical Implications for Attorneys in the Gig Economy (panelist)
Thursday, December 3, 2020, 10:10-12:00
Sponsored by Calvary Hospital
This program carried 2 ethics credits
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern
Sponsored by Mesa CLE
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 1:00–2:15 p.m.
CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York State Bar Association
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This course carried 1.5 CLE credits.
How to Work With Freelance Lawyers to Increase Profits, Decrease Stress, and Get Your Life Back
Sponsored by Law Firm Suites
November 30, 2016, 12:00–1:00 pm
830 3rd Ave.
New York, New York
Running a solo or small law firm can leave you feeling buried under a never-ending mountain of work.
While you could certainly use the help, maybe your budget doesn’t allow you to hire a full-time staff member. Or you have had a bad experience with a freelance lawyer in the past. In this program, Lisa explained how to have a successful freelance lawyer experience. Topics covered in this discussion included:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a freelance lawyer
- How to find a freelance lawyer to work with
- What a good freelance lawyer should bring to the table
- Tips for working with freelance lawyers
- Ethics issues in the outsourcing relationship
Choosing the Right Legal Research Tool for Your Firm
Friday October 2, 2015, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Academy for Private Practice
Westin Times Square
270 W. 43rd St., New York, New York
Sponsored by Above the Law
Participants in this interactive workshop analyzed their firms’ legal research needs and learned about the available tools—free and subscription, low-cost and premium—available to meet those needs.
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Monday, March 23, 2015, 6:00 p.m-7:30 p.m. (networking and refreshments 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.)
123 Remsen St, Brooklyn, New York
Sponsored by the Brooklyn Bar Association
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This course carried 1.5 CLE credits.
Finding the 25th Hour: A How-to for Lawyers
(co-presenter with Ben Schorr)
Thursday, March 19, 2015, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern
webinar
Sponsored by LexisNexis
If you’ve ever wished you could start the day over—or at least find one more hour to get caught up—this webinar’s for you.
Microsoft MVP Ben Schorr and I discussed how to find the 25th hour in your day—and more—by using Microsoft® Office 365™ to:
- More effectively communicate with clients
- stay ahead of court dates & reduce malpractice concerns
- Better organize your case, firm, and client information
- Maximize office time and reduce deadline- and work-related stress
- And more!
This course carried 1.0 CLE credit.
Microsoft® Office 365™ for Lawyers
(co-presenter with Ben Schorr)
Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
LegalTech® New York
New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
From the solo practice to top-ranked AmLaw firms, attorneys depend on Microsoft® products for everything from email to calendaring to creating and storing their most important documents. In this informative session, Microsoft® MVP and technologist Ben Schorr shared insider shortcuts, showed how to adapt Office 365™ for your practice, and gave exclusive tips on making the most of its many time-saving and automated features to get more done, faster.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 7:00 p.m-8:30 p.m. (reception 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.)
Abigael’s Restaurant, 1407 Broadway, New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York State Bar Association General Practice Section
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This course carried 1.5 CLE credits.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Thursday, March 20, 2014, 1:00 p.m-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
webinar
Sponsored by MyCase
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
2013 Appellate Court Specialty Seminar
Friday, September 20, 2013, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Madison Concourse Hotel
Madison, Wisconsin
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Office of Judicial Education
Pixel Persuasion: Transitioning to Paperless Chambers
Friday, September 20, 2013, 9:35-10:45 a.m.
This seminar for Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges addressed:
- the benefits of reading electronically-filed documents on a tablet or computer monitor, rather than on paper
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- how to improve the physical environment for on-screen reading
- how to encourage the Wisconsin appellate bar to draft documents optimized for on-screen reading
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Thursday, May 30, 2013, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Webinar
Sponsored by the Federal Bar Council
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
This course carried 1.0 non-transitional CLE credits in skills.
Contemporary Legal Writing: Form & Substance
Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2:30-5:15 p.m. (Eastern)
Webinar
Sponsored by myLaw CLE
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to every lawyer’s success. Because more and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper, in Part 1 of this program, attendees learned how to leverage technology as well as principles of document design and web usability to maximize the persuasive power of their briefs. In Part 2, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years.
Key topics discussed:
- How to persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format
- Common copywriting techniques
- How to apply copywriting techniques in briefs and client-focused writing
This course carried 2.5 CLE credits in 60-minute-hour states and 3 CLE credits in 50-minute-hour states.
A Day in an Attorney’s Life: Ethics, Practice and the Pursuit of Happiness
Saturday, December 15, 2012, 8:30-a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Valley Forge Convention Center
1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
This program was also offered as a live webcast
Sponsored by Lawline
How to Work With Contract Lawyers to Save Money, Increase Profits & Get Your Life Back
Saturday, December 15, 2012, 2:50-p.m.-3:50 p.m
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course included:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer
- How to find a contract lawyer to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win ClientsSaturday, December 15, 2012, 3:55-p.m.-4:55 p.m
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Thursday, July 12, 2012, 10:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
42 West 44th St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York City Bar Center for CLE
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This program carried 1.5 CLE credits.
How to Work With Contract Lawyers to Save Your Firm Money, Increase Profits, and Get Your Life Back
Monday, December 5, 2011, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Central)
Friday, January 13, 2012, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (Central)
Monday, February 6, 2012, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (Central)
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this webcast included:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer (including making your practice more profitable, gaining work/life balance, and increasing professional satisfaction by outsourcing tasks you don’t like to do)
- How to find a contract attorney to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
Each webcast carried 1 CLE credit.
Freelance Freedom: How to Get Started as an Independent Contract Lawyer
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 6:25-8:30 p.m.
14 Vesey St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it’s not just for big firms and the staffing agencies that serve those firms.
Freelance attorneys are a growing cadre of solo practitioners who, enabled by technology, work on a project-by-project basis for other lawyers. More and more lawyers—from newly-admitted attorneys who are tired of sitting on the sidelines of the legal job market to experienced attorneys who want an intellectually fulfilling legal career and work/life balance—are entering this practice area. This program addressed these important questions:
- What is the most powerful way to market your services as a contract lawyer?
- How much should you charge, and how can you make sure you get paid?
- What ethical issues arise in the freelance lawyering relationship, and how are those resolved?
- Should you obtain your own malpractice insurance?
- If you want to concentrate on legal research and writing, do you need your own Lexis or Westlaw/WestlawNext subscription? How can you get the best deal from these companies? What alternatives are available?
- How can you compete with foreign LPOs?
- What impact will the ABA Ethics 20/20 Commission’s initial draft proposal concerning changes to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct have on freelance attorneys and the lawyers who hire them?
- Why is a shaky economy good news for freelance lawyers?
The program carried 2.5 CLE credits.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
15th and West Streets, Mineola, New York
Sponsored by the Nassau Academy of Law
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Webinar
Sponsored by Lawline.com
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- how judges are reading briefs today
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This 1-CLE credit program is accredited in New York, California, Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota and Ontario.
4th Annual Law Practice Management and Development Institute: Strategic Solutions for Solo to Mid-Size Firms
August 3-5, 2011
Lancaster County Convention Center
Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Practical Social Media: Social Media in Action
(co-presenter with Carolyn Elefant)
Thursday, August 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
You’ve heard the buzz about social media, but how are lawyers actually implementing it? In this hands-on talk, we’ll share specifics of getting started with social media—how to create effective profiles, build trusted relationships, establish yourself as an expert in your field and develop a personal and memorable brand.
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win ClientsThursday, August 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
How to Work With Contract Lawyers to Save Your Firm Money, Increase Profits, and Get Your Life Back
Friday, August 5, 2011, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course included:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer (including making your practice more profitable, gaining work/life balance, and increasing professional satisfaction by outsourcing tasks you don’t like to do)
- How to find a contract attorney to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Nebraska-Iowa Solo and Small Firm Conference
July 28-29, 2011
Harrah’s Casino Hotel, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Sponsored by the Nebraska State Bar Association
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
Thursday, July 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
In this program, attendees learned how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Minimize Growing Pains—Expand Your Small Firm Practice with the Help of Contract Attorneys
Thursday, July 28, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based freelance (a/k/a contract) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course included:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a freelance lawyer
- How to find a freelance attorney to work with
- What a good freelance lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
Pixel Persuasion: Legal Writing for the 21st Century
(co-presenter with Christine Falcicchio, Esq.)
Monday, June 6, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
14 Vesey St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association
More and more judges are reading briefs on computer screens, rather than on paper. While many of the basic principles of effective brief writing apply regardless of the manner in which the court consumes your brief, the electronic medium presents new opportunities to leverage both technology and principles of document design and web usability to give your brief even more persuasive power.
The first part of the program focused on how to more persuasively present information intended to be read on a screen in pdf format. We discussed:
- the important differences between screen-reading and paper-reading
- the F-pattern
- tips for writing for the 21st-Century legal reader
In the second part of the program, attendees learned how interactive hyperlinked briefs can streamline the presentation of information and maximize the persuasive power of your arguments. Studies show that people retain information better when it is presented in multiple formats (including audio and video), rather than in just a single format (such as text). Topics covered in this section of the program included:
- what a hyperlinked brief is, and why you use one even if your case record doesn’t include rich media such as audio or video
- what courts really think about hyperlinked briefs
- when you should use a hyperlinked brief, and when you shouldn’t
This program carried 2 New York CLE credits and 3 New Jersey CLE credits.
Vermont Solo & Small Firm Conference
May 19-20, 2011
Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, Vermont
Sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association
Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques for Your Marketing Materials and Briefs
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1.5 CLE credits.
How to Work With Freelance Lawyers to Save Your Firm Money, Increase Profits, and Get Your Life Back
(co-presenter with Carolyn Elefant)
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based freelance (a/k/a contract) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a freelance lawyer
- How to find a freelance attorney to work with
- What a good freelance lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
This course carried 1.5 CLE credits.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Webinar
Sponsored by The Organization of Legal Professionals
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees will discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
How to Work With Contract Lawyers: Strategies for Saving Your Firm Money, Increasing Your Profits, Improving the Way You Practice Law—and Getting Your Life Back
(co-presenter with Patricia A. Sokolich)
Thursday, March 10, 2011, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
14 Vesey St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer
- How to find a contract attorney to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
This program carried 2 CLE credits (.5 ethics; 1 LPM/PP; .5 skills).
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
NYSBA Annual Meeting
Friday, January 28, 2011, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York State Bar Association
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
15th and West Streets, Mineola, New York
Sponsored by the Nassau Academy of Law
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Webinar
Sponsored by The Organization of Legal Professionals
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This course carried 1 CLE credit.
Law Firm Staffing Alternatives: Contract Lawyers
Friday, October 15, 2010, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Internet radio interview
Sponsored by Total Attorneys
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers. Join us to learn how to use contract lawyers in your law firm to address both your long-term and temporary staffing needs.
The live, Q & A format show is part of a series of shows about the hottest topics in law practice management from Total Attorneys, a technology-enabled service provider dedicated to assisting with every aspect of small and solo law firm practice management, growth and development.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Thursday, October 7, 2010, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Free webinar
Sponsored by Avvo
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
Minimize Growing Pains—Expand Your Small Firm Practice with the Help of Contract Attorneys
Part one of a three-part evening series for solos and small firm practitioners
Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
42 W. 44th St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York City Bar’s Small Law Firm Center
Learn how contract lawyers can help you achieve work/life balance by providing a safety valve when you’re swamped with work, increase professional satisfaction by enabling you to focus on those legal tasks you find most rewarding and increase profits without adding to your firm’s overhead.
The program was moderated by Alla Roytberg, Director, NYC Bar Small Law Firm Center.
A wine and cheese reception from 6:30-7:15 was followed by the program from 7:15-8:30.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
Monday, October 4, 2010, 7:45-9:00 p.m.
14 Vesey St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York County Lawyers Association
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in both briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This program was part of a four-credit Bridge the Gap CLE course.
Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques for Your Marketing Material and Briefs
Michigan State Bar Association 7th Annual Solo & Small Firm Institute
Thursday, September 30, 2010, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
DeVos Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sponsored by the State Bar of Michigan
Learn to write more persuasively using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Discover how to apply concepts such as message to market match and the “foot in the door” strategy, and to use tools including storytelling, social proof and calls to action to more effectively sell your services to potential clients and your arguments to judges.
This program carried 1.5 CLE credits.
How to Work With Contract Lawyers to Save Your Firm Money, Increase Profits, and Get Your Life Back
Thursday, September 23, 2010, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Free webinar
Sponsored by RocketMatter
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer (including making your practice more profitable, gaining work/life balance, and increasing professional satisfaction by outsourcing tasks you don’t like to do)
- How to find a contract attorney to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Associates? I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Associates! Why and How to Work With Contract Lawyers
3rd Annual Law Practice Management and Development Institute: Strategic Solutions for Solo to Mid-Size Firms
Friday, August 20, 2010, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Convention Center
Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Outsourcing is the wave of the future. But it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solos and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work to independent, US-based contract (a/k/a freelance) lawyers.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Benefits of outsourcing work to a contract lawyer (including making your practice more profitable, gaining work/life balance, and increasing professional satisfaction by outsourcing tasks you don’t like to do)
- How to find a contract attorney to work with
- What a good contract lawyer should bring to the table
- Ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
NCLE Solo & Small Firm Conference
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Friday, August 6, 2010, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Embassy Suites, La Vista, Nebraska (near Omaha)
Sponsored by the Nebraska Continuing Legal Education and the General Practice and Law Practice Management Sections of the Nebraska State Bar Association
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in both briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Strategic Solutions for Solo & Small Firms Conference
August 2-3, 2010
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, Duluth, Minnesota
Sponsored by Minnesota CLE
Using Social Media in Your Practice
(co-presenter with Carolyn Elefant and Samuel J. Glover)
Monday, August 2, 1:55-2:55 p.m.
Important principles for effective participation.
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques That Persuade Both Judges and Clients
Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques copywriters have relied on for years. Topics include: your greatest challenge in writing; how to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down; the role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger readers’ emotions; how to deal with objections to your position; closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action, and more.
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Associates? I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Associates!
(co-presenter with Susan D. Minsberg)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Why and how to work with contract lawyers. Outsourcing is the wave of the future, but it doesn’t necessarily mean sending work overseas, and it’s not just for big firms. Solo and small firms can garner many benefits by outsourcing substantive legal work. Topics include benefits of outsourcing, how to find a contract attorney, what a good contract attorney brings to the table, ethical issues in the outsourcing relationship, co-counsel arrangements that work and more.
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
(co-presenter with Hon. Gerald Lebovits)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 12:00-1:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Sponsored by the American Bar Association’s GP|Solo Division and the ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this teleconference and live audio webcast, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in both briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This program began with a recorded replay of the program that Judge Lebovits and Lisa presented at the National Solo & Small Firm Conference in October 2009, followed by a live Q&A session with the presenters.
This program carried 1.5 CLE credits.
National Solo & Small Firm Conference
October 16-17, 2009
Millenium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California
Sponsored by the American Bar Association’s GP|Solo Division
Social Media for Lawyers: Six Important Principles for Effective Participation
(co-presenter with Nicole Black)
Thursday, October 16, 8:00-9:15 a.m.
Social media is an efficient and economical tool that lawyers can use to help their practices grow and thrive. In this program, lawyers learned about six important principles, applicable across social media platforms, that will help them use social media to promote and market their practices, showcase their areas of expertise, and network with other attorneys.
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients
(co-presenter with Hon. Gerald Lebovits)
Friday, October 17, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this program, attendees learned to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Attendees discovered what these techniques are and how to apply them in both briefs and client-focused writing.
Topics covered in this course included:
- The greatest challenge your writing must overcome to persuade readers to take a desired action
- Basic concepts underlying all effective persuasive writing—ignore these and you’re sunk
- How to write a compelling brief that the judge just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in jurisprudence and how to trigger the reader’s emotions
- The things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
- And more . . . .
This program carried 1 CLE credit.
The 6 Things You Need to Know About Social Media
(co-presenter with Nicole Black)
Thursday, October 8, 2009, 8:00-9:20 a.m.
57 Worth Street, New York, New York
Sponsored by New York Law School
Social media is an efficient and economical tool that lawyers can use to help their practices grow and thrive. In this program, lawyers learned about six important principles, applicable across social media platforms, that will help them use social media to promote and market their practices, showcase their areas of expertise, and network with other attorneys.
Getting Back in the Game: How to Restart Your Career in a Down Economy
(panelist)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
42 W. 44th St., New York, New York
Sponsored by the New York City Bar and Vault.com
Lisa spoke on the alternative legal careers panel at this full-day program, which was designed to teach job-seeking attorneys how best to market themselves, whether they are looking to go to a firm or start their own practice, or are considering an alternative legal career.
Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques for Your Marketing Materials and Briefs
Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Offices of Silverman, Bikkal & Sandberg, LLP, 81 Main Street, Suite 300, White Plains, New York
Sponsored by the Westchester Women’s Bar Association
During this program, Lisa taught attendees how to write more persuasive marketing materials and briefs, using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have been using for years. Topics covered included:
- The greatest challenge that your marketing copy and briefs must overcome in order to achieve your goal of persuading the reader to take a desired action
- A basic concept underlying all effective persuasive writing
- How to write a compelling marketing piece or brief that the reader just can’t put down
- The role of emotion in marketing and jurisprudence, and how to skillfully trigger the reader’s emotions
- Two things readers absolutely hate—and how to avoid them
- How to deal with objections to your position
- Closing the deal: conclusions and calls to action
This program carried 2 CLE credits.
Writing Better Appellate Briefs
(co-presenter)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Bar Association, 123 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, New York
Sponsored by the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association
In the first part of the program, Ginger Trunkes, Principal Court Attorney at the Appellate Division, First Department, shared her “insights from the inside” about effective brief writing. Appellate practitioner Lisa Solomon followed up with a discussion of how judicial writing guides can help lawyers become better brief writers. All attendees received a copy of the Federal Judicial Center’s Judicial Writing Manual. The program carried 1.5 CLE credits.
Clients: Finding Them, Keeping Them and Serving Their Needs
Friday, August 5, 2005, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, Illinois
Sponsored by the American Bar Association, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section
Solo and small firm lawyers throughout the country are constantly searching for new clients while retaining current clients. The panelists discussed a number of effective marketing techniques. Lisa Solomon discussed how to market your practice by writing articles and presenting educational programs, with a focus on how to maximize the marketing value of publications and speaking engagements.
How Judicial Writing Guides Can Help Lawyers Become Better Writers
Thursday, June 9, 2005, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
42 W. 44th Street, New York, New York
Sponsored by the Small Law Firm Committee of the New York City Bar Association (formerly the Association of the Bar of the City of New York)
While a brief is first and foremost a forum for advocacy on behalf of your client, the closer it approximates judicial writing style, the more favorably the judge will be inclined view the substance of your argument. In this program, Lisa Solomon, a frequent speaker on legal research and writing topics, discussed how you can apply the lessons set out in judicial writing guides to write more effective briefs that will make judges want to rule in your clients’ favor. All attendees received a copy of the Federal Judicial Center’s Judicial Writing Manual.
How to Win on Appeal: Writing Better Briefs and Avoiding Procedural Pitfalls
(co-presenter)
Saturday, May 14, 2005, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Otesaga Hotel, Cooperstown, New York
Sponsored by the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
In the first part of the program, Ginger Trunkes, Principal Court Attorney at the Appellate Division, First Department, shared her “insights from the inside” about effective brief writing. Next, Lisa Solomon, Esq. discussed how judicial writing guides can help lawyers become better brief writers. Capping off the program, Myrna Felder, Esq. addressed 10 appellate traps and how to avoid them. This program carried 2 CLE credits.