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Thursday, June 29, 2006
Registration: 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Program: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Reception to follow

Sponsored by: Solo & Small Firm Section and New Lawyers Section

This program will provide pragmatic advice you will need in order to address the many issues, from ethical to practical, you face when working with clients. The seminar will cover the best practices for managing client relationships from initial contact through the conclusion of the case.

The panel of experienced and practitioners from a wide range of firms and practice areas will address a number of important, fundamental, and often overlooked issues. They will provide you with a solid understanding of common pitfalls and offer practical suggestions on how to deal with them.

Specific topics will include:

I. Establishment of the Attorney-Client Relationship

• Ensuring your relationship is clearly defined;
• How to handle referrals from other attorneys and co-counsel relationships.

II. Retention/Engagement Letters

• Defining the scope of services;
• Reliance on experts/consultants/non-legal service providers;
• Retainers and billing issues.

III. Managing the Client

• Managing Expectations: costs, range of possible outcomes, time to conclusion, alternative approaches;
• Managing the client who “plays lawyer.”

IV. Mid-course Corrections

• Uncooperative clients;
• Impaired, ill, or incapacitated clients;
• Handling unforeseen conflicts of interest;
• Obligations to the court and opposing counsel.

V. Concluding the Relationship

• Withdrawal issues;
• Maintaining and returning client files/records/evidence;
• Termination of services.

Panelists:

Paula E. Berg, Esq.
Law Office of Paula E. Berg

George A. Berman, Esq.
Peabody & Arnold LLP

Rodney S. Dowell, Esq.
Berman & Dowell

Karen J. Kearns, Esq.
Law Office of Karen J. Kearns

Evan M. Slavitt, Esq.
Bodoff & Slavitt LLP

Lori A. Yarvis, Esq.
Attorney at Law


Program Chair and Moderator:

Edmund J. Gorman, Esq.
Law Office of Edmund J. Gorman


Program Prices

$55 - BBA Members
$85 - Non-Members
$50 - BBA Member New Lawyer (admitted after 6/2004)
$25 - BBA Member Legal Services/Government Lawyer
$25 - Law Student