Solo and Small Firm Annual Conference - 2024

The 8th Annual Conference

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Conference! Past annual conferences were a rousing success with insightful keynote speakers, lively panel discussions, and more than 100+ attendees. A range of MCLE topics were covered at past conferences, from technology and practice management to rainmaking and networking. The 2024 conference will offer MCLE programs and opportunities for solo and small firm attorneys to build and connect with each other. Don’t miss out - save the date!

Topics
- What is a Judge Pro Tem and how to become one
- Other judicial roles a practitioner can volunteer in, for example, discovery facilitator and mediator
- Practice management ethical issues in serving in these volunteer bench officer roles

Speakers
Denis S. Kenny, Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP
Lindsay Nako, Impact Fund
Honorable Mary Wiss, Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco

Moderator
John B. Lough, Jr. Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP

TIME: 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.  | No MCLE will be provided.
PANEL II:  A Client's Growing Business and Why a Smaller Firm is the Right Fit 
This panel will discuss the various ways in which smaller firms have been a better fit for a small but rapidly growing business, with the primary example being a local health care company.  We will discuss  the significance of interpersonal relationships between the attorneys and the business leader; better practices that give rise to those relationships and maintaining the relationships; how to accommodate the client's growth; and aspects of community building by the client and the firm.

Speaker: Eve Grau, Principal of Royal Ambulance
Moderator:  Jessica Taran, Taran Law

TIME: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.  | MCLE: 1 Hour in Elimination of Bias
PANEL III:  Gender Identity & Inclusion in Small Firm Law Practice

• Learn how to competently represent trans, nonbinary and gender non-conforming clients.
• Survey of key state and federal employment statutes, regulations and case law relating to gender identity and expression.
• Learn how to implement legally compliant workplace policies that support trans, gender non-conforming and nonbinary employees.
• Learn how to support trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming colleagues in the legal profession.

Speakers
Ming Wong, Supervising Helpline Attorney, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Kelly Wessels, Managing Attorney, Summerall Law
Wilder A. Clements, Principal Attorney, Clements Employment Law, P.C.

TIME: 3:40 - 4:40 p.m.  | MCLE: 1 Hour
PANEL IV: You Don’t Have to Go It Alone: Harnessing the Collective Power of Solo/Small Firms
During this panel presentation you will learn a myriad of ways that we solo and small firm practitioners can work with attorneys outside our firms to grow our practices, better serve our clients, and take on bigger and more complex projects across a wide variety of practice areas. The discussion will address various arrangements including co-counseling, consulting, and of-counsel relationships. The program will include best practices, practical and ethical considerations, and technological tools for collaboration.

Speakers
Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, Katz Banks Kumin
Peter Roldan, Emergent
Lindsey Mignano, SSM

TIME:  4:45 - 5:45 p.m.      | MCLE: 1 Hour in Legal Ethics
PANEL V:  Generative Artificial Intelligence and Legal Ethics. Are we talking about ChatGPT?

Topics

• What is generative AI?
• How can generative AI be used by lawyers, including solo and small firm practitioners?
• A case study on Mata v. Avianca, Inc.Judicial reaction and court orders.
• What are ethical implications for lawyers using generative AI?Where are we going?

Speakers
Thomas J. D’Amato, Owner and Lead Trial Attorney, D’Amato Law Corporation
Ann Koppuzha, Attorney & Founder, Powerhouse Strategy
Nate Walter, Founder and CEO, Briefpoint

RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
Keynote Speaker: Judge Daniel Flores, California Superior Court

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
(as of 12/14/23)

  Platinum Level Sponsor

Gold Level Sponsor

Silver Level Sponsor
First Legal

Solo/Small Friend Partner
BH Tech Connection
Consilio
D'Amato Law Corporation
DLC Consulting Services, LLC
Express Deposition Service
Gluck Daniel Atkinson
Lawclerk
ProVisors
Ridgeline Law
Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP
SSM Law, PC
Taran Law
Vash Legal Services
Zarate Dulany Law


Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Fill out the Sponsorship Form and email to events@sfbar.org
For more information, email events@sfbar.org

Event Code: G242803
For a printable flyer, click here.  

To Register

1. Sign-in to your account and select Register Myself at the bottom of the page.
   • Use Forgot Username or Forgot Password if you don't know your account information. Don't have an account? Select Create Account. 
2. Select Proceed to Checkout to enter payment information, submit your order and complete the registration process.

For CLE events of 1.5 hours or less, Lunch & Learn programs, Happy Hours, Receptions, and Mixers, a refund is available if you submit your cancellation request at least 48 hours prior to the event. A $10 handling fee will deducted from your refund. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.
For CLE events longer than 1.5 hours, and for special events such as conferences, symposiums, professional development training programs, a 50% refund is available if you cancel at least 10 business days prior to the event. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.
If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

MCLE Notice
To receive MCLE credit, you must sign in during the designated MCLE registration period. This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. BASF is a certified provider: Provider #103

Accessibility
People with disabilities and/or special requests should contact BASF regarding reasonable accommodations.