e-Journal
01-03
Images from the 2012 Walk to the Hill. Photos by Jeff Thiebauth.
MBA to co-sponsor 14th Annual Walk to the Hill on Jan. 30
The 14th Annual Walk to the Hill for Civil Legal Aid
is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 30 beginning at 11 a.m. at the
Statehouse's Great Hall.
Join fellow Massachusetts Bar Association members at this annual
event and adovacte for increased funding for legal services
throughout the commonwealth.
The event is sponsored by the Equal Justice Coalition, MBA and
Boston Bar Association.
For more information, visit
www.equaljusticecoalition.org.
Connect, share and collaborate with fellow MBA members
Login to the My Bar Access online community today.
The Massachusetts Bar Association has launched My Bar Access,
which replaces the section/division portion of the MBA website.
Visit http://access.massbar.org/ today to join the
conversation.
Check out blog posts on:
- "Essential Health Benefits May Extend Scope of Existing Parity
Standards;" and
- "MBA seeks nominations for 2013-14 officer, delegate
positions."
Participate in ongoing member group discussions
on:
- The Jan. 8 Labor & Employment section open meeting
featuring Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce
Development Joanne F. Goldstein; and
- The upcoming Jan. 17 "How to Start and Run a Successful Solo
and Small Firm Practice" conference.
The following simple steps can instantly connect you with fellow
members:
- Login and agree to terms: Sign in
using your MBA user name and password and sign the Code of
Conduct.
- Create your profile and settings: Include your
bio and photo and customize the frequency and format of your
notifications (your profile info from LinkedIn may be pulled
over).
- Start connecting: Post blogs, discussions
(listservs) or upload a resource library entry for your
section(s).
Resource materials -- including "Getting
Started on My Bar Access" and "How to Use My Bar Access" -- posted
in various areas throughout the site, can help users with
questions. Following a review of those resources, members who need
further help should contact the My Bar Access Help Desk at [e-mail mybaraccess].
Join the MBA's Member-Get-A-Member campaign
Refer a colleague and be rewarded.
Join in the Massachusetts Bar Association's
Member-Get-a-Member campaign. As a current member, you are the
greatest testimony to the value of an MBA membership and we ask for
your participation in recruiting at least one new member this
association year.
Take this opportunity to help expand the MBA's network of legal
professionals statewide and strengthen our association's preeminent
voice in the legal profession. Share your personal and professional
MBA experiences and why you belong to the MBA with a colleague and
be rewarded. See why
others belong.
For every new member you recruit, you will be entered into
our raffle for the following prizes:
- Grand prize: $500 AMEX gift card
- Second prize: $250 AMEX gift card
- Third prize: $100 AMEX gift card
To be eligible, you must be identified as the source of the
referral on the membership application.
Featured member benefit: Clio
Belong to the MBA and receive a 10 percent lifetime discount on the #1 cloud-based legal practice management system for solos and small firms
Clio is a 100 percent web-based legal practice management system
optimized to meet the needs of sole practitioners and small firms.
Web-based, secure and easy-to-use, Clio overcomes many of the
technical hurdles offered by conventional practice management
solutions. Clio allows lawyers to simplify their workflow, thus
freeing up valuable time to build their practice.
A NEW MBA member benefit, Clio is regularly
$49/month for attorneys and $25/month for non-attorney support
staff. Massachusetts Bar Association members receive a 10 percent
lifetime discount on their Clio subscription, bringing the monthly
cost to $44.10 for attorneys and $22.50 for non-attorney support
staff. Sign up today.
** Valid MBA membership required.
Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule
Do you dream of starting your own practice? Attend the Jan. 17 "How to Start and Run" Conference.
To register for the following
programs, call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530,
[e-mail membership] or visit the
CLE Web site. Scroll down for program
details, including dates and registration details.
Recorded session available for purchase
after live program through MBA On Demand.
Real-time webcast available for purchase
through MBA On Demand.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Lifecycle of a Business Part I: Forming a
Business & Protecting Assets 
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
A
Criminal Lawyer's Guide to Practice in the Massachusetts District
Courts
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1-5 p.m.
Massachusetts School of Law, 500 Federal St., Andover
Getting Paid
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 4-6 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
Collaborative Law, a Roundtable
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 3-5 p.m.
Norfolk Probate & Family Court, 35 Shawmut Road,
Canton
How to Start and Run A Successful Solo or
Small-Firm Practice 
Thursday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lombardo's, 6 Billings St., Randolph
Juvenile & Child Welfare Legal Chat
Series
Friday, Jan. 18, 1-2 p.m.
NOTE: There is no on-site attendance for Legal Chats.
Lifecycle of a Business Part II: Land
Use/Permitting, Insurance Considerations & Business
Financing
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 5-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
Mediating Probate Litigation
Cases
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
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Unable to attend December seminars? Practitioners who were not
able to attend MBA CLE programs in December can now view select
programs on MBA On Demand. MBA On Demand is an innovative MBA
member benefit that offers you the opportunity to watch an MBA
program from the comfort of your home or office, at a time that
suits your schedule.
In addition, watching an MBA seminar or conference just got
easier. All previously recorded MBA On Demand programs are now
available anytime, anywhere on your mobile device.
December CLE programming now available includes:
To view a listing of current programs offered on MBA On
Demand, click
here.
LPM Tip
A checklist to jumpstart your marketing in 2013
It's January and time to jumpstart your marketing. If you are
not sure where to focus your efforts, a good place to start is to
conduct a self audit. Here is the version I use with my
clients. I try to revisit it once a quarter with each
coachee. But the new year is a great place to start. Not
everyone will do everything on this checklist. But going through
the process of self reflection is a good way to focus on what IS
working and what is NOT.
- Are you spending 15-30 minutes a day on marketing or
relationship building (on average)?
- Are you reading articles with purpose and forwarding them to
your contacts as appropriate? Are you actively looking for other
ways to be helpful to your contacts?
- Are you mailing to your best contacts at least once every three
months?
- Have you written an article that highlights your expertise
(i.e. an article which is connected to your marketing message)?
This can either be an original piece or a reaction to (or summary
of) someone else's presentation or article. The point is to create
practical materials that you can send to your contacts (to remain
top of mind and reinforce your niche). You can also try
blogging.
- Have you spoken on this or any other subject that highlights
your expertise in the work you are targeting?
- Are there any recent matters you've worked on that should be
added to your elevator speech? Bio? Which have raised issues that
warrant an article, a seminar, a client alert or contacting a
reporter?
- Have you identified at least 20 "A List contacts" (clients,
prospective clients or referral sources who you believe might have
work for you or who may be able to refer work)? Are you actively
looking for ways to build your relationships with these
contacts?
- Before you meet with prospects/contacts/referral sources, are
you taking the time to do research so you can anticipate some of
their needs?
- Are you coming to networking meetings prepared to answer the
question "What's new?"
- When you are in networking meetings, are you listening 80
percent of the time and asking probing questions to identify
problems that you can help that individual solve?
- Are you making referrals to your referral sources or sending
them resources to help them address the issues they raise?
- Are you setting next dates/next steps in your calendar so that
you remember to circle back to your "A list" contacts?
- Are you involved in community, industry, professional or
recreational activities that enable you to continue to develop new
contacts (i.e. individuals who may turn into clients or referral
sources) and further solidify relationships with existing
contacts?
Tip courtesy of Stephen Seckler, president, Seckler Legal
Consulting and Coaching.
Published January 3, 2013
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To learn more about the Law Practice Management
Section, which is complimentary for all MBA members,
contact LPM Section Chair Thomas J. Barbar or Vice
Chair Cynthia E.
MacCausland.
News from the courts
Appeals Court Pilot Program continuations; Amendments to SJC Rule 3:12; SJC approves Rule 3:16: Practicing with Professionalism Course for New Lawyers; Amendments to Superior Court Rule 9A (b) (5) (ii) and (iv) and Rule 30B
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Appeals Court Pilot Program
continuations
The Supreme Judicial Court has
approved continuation of Appeals Court pilot program requiring
appellants to file docketing statements in civil cases
until Dec. 31, 2015, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The SJC has also
approved continuation of Appeals Court pilot program requiring
appellants to file docketing statements in criminal cases
until Dec. 31, 2015, effective Jan. 1, 2013.
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Amendments to SJC Rule 3:12
The SJC has approved changes to Rule
3:12 of the Rules of the Supreme Judicial Court effective Jan. 1,
2013.
Click here to view the notice of
change.
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SJC approves Rule 3:16: Practicing
with Professionalism Course for New Lawyers
The SJC has approved new Rule 3:16:
Practicing with Professionalism Course for New Lawyers of the Rules
of the Supreme Judicial Court effective Sept. 1, 2013.
Click here to view the notice of
change.
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Amendments to Superior Court Rule
9A (b) (5) (ii) and (iv) and Rule 30B
The SJC has approved changes to
Superior Court Rule 9A (b) (5) (ii) and (iv) and new Superior Court
Rule 30B on Certification of Expert Disclosures effective Jan. 1,
2013.
Click here to view the notice of
change.
CPCS employment opportunities
The Committee for Public Counsel Services is committed to
protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of its
clients by providing zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense,
and excellent representation.
Click here to view a current list of available
positions, including staff attorney positions in Barnstable and
Worcester superior courts.
Section News: Upcoming meetings and special section events
Join in the Jan. 8 Labor & Employment open section meeting featuring Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein. Attend the Jan. 8 Health and Family Law Section Council meetings. R.S.V.P. for the Jan. 9 Public Law, Individual Rights & Responsibilities, Immigration Law and Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council meetings.
Changes to validated parking at the Lafayette
Garage
MBA members entering the garage after 4 p.m. will now have a
maximum rate of $11 and weekday users will receive $2 off each of
the first two hours. Please bring your parking ticket with you to
the MBA for validation.
Labor & Employment Section
Council open meeting
Featuring Massachusetts
Secretary of
Labor and Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein
Tuesday, Jan. 8, noon-1:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
All section members are invited to
attend this open meeting sponsored by the Labor & Employment
Section Council. The guest speaker will be Secretary of Labor and
Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein. Goldstein will be
discussing the recent investigation of the Marriott Copley
renovation, which led to numerous fines stemming from wage/hour
violations.
Goldstein will also discuss the Joint Task Force on the
Underground Economy and its role in such investigations and plans
for introducing legislation expanding the reach of the state's wage
and hour laws.
Goldstein oversees the commonwealth's five labor and workforce
regulatory agencies: the Departments of Unemployment Assistance,
Career Services, Labor Standards, Industrial Accidents and Labor
Relations. She also manages the Joint Task Force on the Underground
Economy and Employee Misclassification, working with the officials
in the Patrick-Murray Administration and across state government to
combat workplace fraud and protect exploited workers.
Goldstein was appointed to Gov. Deval L. Patrick's Cabinet in
January 2010, and is one of the five cabinet members who work
across agency and department lines to spur economic growth and job
creation.
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Health Law Section Council
meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 5:15-6:45
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Health Law
Section Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 5:15 to 6:45
p.m. All section members are invited to attend.
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Family Law Section Council
meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 5:30-7
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Family Law
Section Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 5:30 to 7
p.m. All section members are invited to attend.
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Public Law Section Council
meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 5:30-7
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Public Law
Section Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 5:30 to 7
p.m. All section members are invited to attend.
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Individual Rights &
Responsibilities Section Council meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 4-5:30
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Individual
Rights & Responsibilities Section Council is scheduled for
Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All section members are
invited to attend.
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Immigration Law Section Council
meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 4:30-6
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Immigration
Law Section Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 4:30 to
6 p.m. All section members are invited to attend.
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Juvenile & Child Welfare
Section Council meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 5:30-7
p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
The next meeting of the Juvenile &
Child Welfare Section Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 9
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All section members are invited to attend.