| *Alabama
Rating: Excellent. Alabama bar's website is an excellent resource for ANY solo or small firm lawyer. |
No solo section, but Birmingham
Bar
http://www.birminghambar.org offering seminars, a listserv, and a newsletter. It also offers legal research links to some articles, and state/11th Cir. opinions. |
Ethics Opinions from the Bar's OGC are available from the side menu bar [ ] on the website. | Bar has "Law Office Management Assistance Program"established to help solos and small firms with nuts and bolts" of practice. (Access [ ] by clicking on "Members" and then "LOMAP" on side bar. [ ] LOMAP maintains a library of resources at its offices; also, on-line newsletter (which mostly re-cycles from ABA and other publications) and other useful practice tools. | LOMAP has a "treasure trove" of on-line resources in PDF format, such as "Client Keeper" (w/ith sample intake forms and letters), Checklists and Trust Account manuals. Although some materials are state specific, this is an excellent resource for small firm lawyers in any bar. Materials can be accessed from "Articles and Manuals" section at LOMAP (a menu item under "Members" on home page) |
| Alaska
Rating: Average Free limited Westlaw provides a valuable benefit for Alaska bar members but website is average. |
None. | Rules of Conduct and Ethics opinions from upper menu bar. Offers articles and ethics hotline for attorneys. | No | Limited free access to Westlaw.for AK bar members. |
| Arizona
Rating: Above Average. Clearly, the Arizona Bar cares about helping lawyers, including small firms provide better service as evidenced by its extensive LOMAP programs (which are free for initial use) But the Bar's website should offer more on-line resources to better serve busier solos or those considering starting a new practice. |
Arizona Bar has a Solo and Small Firm Practice Section (for attorneys in firms of 3 or less) but no online materials. | Ethics Rules and opinions available [ ] under "For Lawyers" at top menu [ ]. Pro bono counsel available through the bar in disciplinary proceedings. | Active LOMAP Office [ ] but tricky to reach from main menu. Go to http://www.myazbar.org/Members/lomap.jsp [ ] LOMAP offers mentor programs and limited free consultation [ ]. But for the most part, materials and services are not accessible on-line. | Free sample fee letter [ ] at http://www.myazbar.org/LawyerRegulation/feeagree.jsp . Bar also offers "e-legal" electronic newsletter with cases and ethics decisions. Also, http://hornbook.com, a collaborative website with the VA, HI, and NM bars, offers free review of Arizona lawyers' engagement letters & helpful, if somewhat dated, practice articles [ ]. |
| Arkansas
Rating: Poor Too many password protected materials limit the broader utility of this website. |
Solo and Small Firm section which is password protected at website. | [ ]. Ethics materials located under "Professional Resources" on side menu. | N/A | The password protected section might contain useful or unique resources but these materials eluded review. |
| California
Rating: Average/Above Average A robust Ethics Section with useful practice tips elevate's California's rating; further, the Solo Section has a good offering of programs with small firm appeal. But the CA Bar needs to increase resources available on-line and openly accessible such as basics like "Starting a Law Practice." |
Solo and Small Firm Section at
www.calbar.org/solo/index.htm
Solo section publishes a "Small Firm and Solo newsletter, sponsors a Mentor Program and other CLE programs. The bulk of the site, however, is password protected. The Young Lawyers Division, however publishes a manual entitled "Opening a Law Office" (see menu options under Attorney Resources). Not available on-line |
Ethics Rules and opinions are accessible by choosing "Ethics" from [ ] side menu. In addition, Ethics Hotline will answer attorney ethics questions. Also, Ethics Hotliner, an ethics publication has past articles on Ethics and good practice tips on maintaining and terminating clients, fee agreements, etc... | .California has an LPM and Technology Section, which is In the process of establishing online reference to web resources, but most resources are password protected. | No. |
| Colorado
Rating: Average/Above Average Not many solo specific resources. However, on-line access to Malpractice Tips provides a helpful tool for lawyers. |
Bar has a Solo/Small Firm section with a listserv for members. Solo newsletter online [ ] for members only. | Ethics hotline, and rules and opinions on line, accessible from Menu Bar item "Opinions, Rules and Statutes." | Law Practice Management bar materials are not small firm specific but useful. LPM Office does offer hotline, articles for members only on starting a practice, and is in the process of expanding technology page. Select from Member Resources on upper menu bar. | Check out LPM on-line newsletter "Whoops, Malpractice Prevention" with good tips for avoiding malpractice (accessible by selecting menu bar item "Member Resources," and sub-choice Practice Management. Links to sites offering LPM forms [ ], mostly for purchase. |
| Connecticut
http://www.ctbar.org/ Rating: Poor. Just too much that is password protected to justify a higher rating. Also, the Bar's price for Small Firm Toolkit seems high. |
[ ] No small firm section - much of CT website is Password Protected. The Bar sells a "Solo and Small Firm Toolkit" (practice book) for $345 at www.ctbar.org/ets/Books.cfm | [ ]. Formal and informal ethics opinions available to members on Casemaker; also for sale under "CLE and Publications." | [ ]. LOM committee, but resources on website. | Connecticut attorneys have free access to Casemaker. See side menu bar. |
| Delaware
Rating: Average Decent number of materials on line; "Opening A Law Office" is a very useful publication. |
Solo and Small firm section but no on-line materials. | Ethics opinions rules accessible from "Resource Links" | [ ]. "Lawyers Helping Lawyers" mentoring program under "Member Benefits." | "Opening A Law Office,"
publication by Victor Battaglia.
Delaware specific, but with advice
relevant to attorneys in all
jurisdictions. On-line at DE bar
website under "Association
Publications"
(http://www.dsba.org/lawoffice.pdf
) |
| *District of Columbia
Rating: Excellent. The DC bar offers exceptional services for solo and small firm lawyers and a website that makes a wealth of informative materials easily accessible. |
Solo and Small Firm Committee is a sub-committee of Law Practice Management. Select "for lawyers" from menu bar, then "sections" and "Law Practice Management." | DC Ethics Rules and Opinions available on-line. Select "Lawyers" from menu bar, then "Ethics." | Active Lawyers' Practice Assistance Program office with a hotline, manuals on starting a law firm in DC, Maintaining Client Trust Accounts and Marketing. To access, choose "Inside the Bar" from menu, "Departments" and Law Practice Assistance Program - publications. Mentoring assessments. | In addition to on-line manuals described at left, the Lawyers' Practice Assistance offers bi-monthly support group meetings for solos and free practice consultations, monthly seminars, and a newsletter. |
| Florida
Rating: Above Average. Great selection of on-line materials to help small firms. But small firms could also benefit from active section and networking activities which some other bars have. |
GP, Solo, and Small Firm section at www.gpssf.org. Materials on starting a law practice are available for a fee. | Ethics Opinions and information about Ethics Hotline can be accessed directly from the main page. | Florida Bar has a Law Office Management Assistance Service (LOMAS). LOMA has many materials on-line such as law firm checklists, instructions on closing an office and client interview forms. To access LOMAS, select "Member Services" menu item and then LOMAS from sub-menu. | See LOMAS forms described at left. |
| Georgia
Rating: Excellent. Materials are easily accessible and extremely useful. A range of materials from those related to LPM to checklists which can help new attorneys handle a case. |
[ ] | Ethics opinions and ethics rules available by choosing "Ethics/Discipline" from side menu bar. Also offers ethics hotline. | Law Practice Management Office offers a variety of resources at http://www.gabar.org/lpm.asp. Be sure to view the articles on starting a small firm practice. LPM Office has a Resource Library with resources on starting a firm and practice management available for loan. [ ] The Library also offers an extensive selection of software members can try out. | LPM Forms offer a vast list of on-line forms such as sample agreements, checklists for handling various types of cases, etc...Definitely worth a look by members of any bar! Casemaker will be available to members online by January 2005. |
| Hawaii
Rating: Average. The Hawaii Bar does offer resources for solos but few are available on-line. |
[ ] N/A | Ethics opinions are available on line. Select side menu, "Working with Your Lawyer" - ethics. | Bar has Practice Management Library but it is only accessible to members. | LPM Office runs Law Practice Management seminars. |
| Idaho
Rating: Below Average. Not many materials available on-line. |
[ ] | The Idaho Rules of Conduct are available on line at the site. Select su-directory from Rules on the side menu. | N/A | [ ]. Casemaker is available to members online under " Legal Resources." |
| Illinois
Rating: Average. Can't tell what is available specifically for solos due to password protection. |
GP, Solo and Small Firm Section which is password protected. Also, a CLE Conference on the needs of Solos and Small Firm practitioners. Also email discussion groups at http://www.isba.org/discussions/ | Ethics Opinions can be accessed at http://www.isba.org/EthicsOpinions/ | Could not locate. | e-mail practice updates are provided by the Bar. Select Practice Updates from side bar menu. |
| Indiana
Rating: Average. |
General Practice Solo and Small
Firm Section (to access, select
Side Menu option "Committees
and Sections") Indian also
participates in 3 day Midwest
Solo and Small Firm Conference
[ ].
[ ] GP Newsletter published four times annually on-line at Solo and Small Firm Section. |
Ethics Opinions and Rules on-line (Access from side menu choice - Legal Ethics) | [ ] LPM Committee offers links to some articles. | [ ] Casemaker available online. E-mail discussion, hotline, and lunch lectures offered to GP Solo and Small Firm Section members. |
| Iowa
Rating: Below Average. Sparse site. |
General Practice Committee [ ]. | Some ethics materials (but not full Code) available from "Attorney Ethics" [ ] item from menu. Opinions available to Bar members. | LPM Department offers members only listserv and bulletin board, but cannot determine what other services as it is password protected. | [ ] Members receive free e-mail service to Iowa Caselaw and access to Opinions Archives. Bar offers website development service. |
| Kansas
Rating: Below Average. Much of site is password protected; also, no search tool to locate materials. |
Solo and Small Firm Section, password protected. Solo and Small Firm Handbook available for $95.00 (under "Publications") | Ethics materials not available directly but can be accessed through a link to the court provided at the site (http://www.kscourts.org/ctruls/ [ ]) | LPM resources could not be located. | N/A |
| Kentucky
http://www.kybar.org Rating: Average |
Small Firm Practice section (Access from [ ] top menu item "Inside KBA," then go to " Sections") | Ethics Opinions, Rules and information on Ethics Hotline can be accessed from [ ] top menu item [ ] "Law & Ethics." | Could not locate LPM section or office. | [ ] N/A |
| Louisiana
Rating: Above Average. Good resources but often tricky to find. The Bar's on-line research data base is a useful benefit. |
The Louisiana Bar's Solo and
Small Firm Section has its own
website at http://www.solo-smallfirms.org/ The Section offers
CLE, seminars, newsletter with
back issues available at
http://www.solo-smallfirms.org/issues.html. The
Section sponsors bi-monthly
lunches, offers a handbook, and
has a listserv.
LINKS are spelled correctly but don't work. |
Rules of Professional
Responsibility under "Legal
Library" menu option on top.
Ethics Advisory service can be accessed under "Benefits and Resources" menu at top of page. Ethics opinions available at http://www.ladb.org (Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board) [note-ethics materials could be consolidated and better organized]. |
Technology Resource Center
under "Benefits and [ ] Programs"
option which will help lawyers
evaluate technical tools to aid
legal practice.
Practice Assistance & Improvement Committee offers sample forms, and free download of Essentials of LOM manual to members. |
Bar association has an on-line
Opinion Service with searchable
5th Circuit and state opinions at
http://www.lsba.org/opinions/index.asp
[ ] Bar will review proposed attorney advertising. For information, select "Advertising Advisory Service" under "Benefits and Programs." |
| Maine
Rating: Below average. Too heavily password protected. |
No section, but apparently, the bar does offer e-mail lists and bulletin boards). | Ethics opinions available at http://www.mebaroverseers.org | [ ] "Silent Partners" program offers peer assistance on substantive law and practice management consultation. | [ ] Casemaker and legislative alert
E-mail service available to
members.
Total revision and update of site is underway; Real time exchange service will be available to members. |
| *Maryland
Rating: Above Average. However, there is no reason why Ethics Opinions should not be searchable on-line by non bar members. |
The MSBA has an active Solo
and Small Firm Section described
at
http://www.msba.org/sec_comm/solo/index.htm.The Section sponsors a Solo Day (at the State Bar Conference) and a Solo and Small Firm Conference, publishes newsletter available on-line, and offers an online Solo Section Referral Directory. |
Ethics Opinions are available at the side menu but can only be accessed by members. Also an Ethics hotline for members. | The Law Office Management
Assistance Office has numerous
on-line materials: articles on
marketing plans, bill collection,
workplace procedures. Go to
http://www.msba.org/departments/loma/articles/articles.htm
Also offers technical info packets for Solos and Small Firms, and "How to Start a Solo Practice" on tape. |
See LPM resources, left. Bar also has a solo listserv, [ ] LPM listserv, a mentoring program organized by section (including a list of Solo and Small Firm mentors), and an e-mail opinion service. |
| Massachusetts
Rating: [ ] |
No solo or small firm section. | [ ] Ethics opinions under "Resources/Services." | There is an LPM Section but it is password protected. Offers a listserv for members. Mentor program and roundtables for different practice areas. | [ ] Casemaker is available to members. http://massbar.org/casemaker/ [ ] |
| Michigan
Rating: Average |
General Practice Section can be accessed from "Sections" option on home page menu. GP Section has a listserv and a newsletter online. The Section also participates in the Midwest Solo and Small Firm Conference. | Ethics opinions, rules, and hotline information are readily accessible from "Opinions" menu item on website home page. | The Bar has an LPM Section (which can be selected from "Members" menu item). The LPM section has a listserve and newsletter. | [ ] Free research service for members offered by "Michigan Law Online." List of attorneys by field available to other attorneys for consultation.under "Publications" and then "Fields of Practice." |
| Minnesota
Rating: Above Average. Practicelaw.org is a terrific benefit for small firm lawyers but there's not much in the way of resources on starting and running a practice. |
Small Firm and Solo Practice Center accessible [ ] under "Sections" at side bar menu or directly at http://www2.mnbar.org/sections/general-practice/index.htm It's really just a resource list but it links to an email discussion group for solos and the Bar's Small Firm and Solo Section. | Ethics Opinions available at site through side bar menu item [ ] "Courts/Boards." | Bar has [ ] a Practice
Management & Marketing
Section, but not many online
resources.
COLLEAGUE service (accessible [ ] under "Member Services") where lawyers can consult with a more experienced attorney in their area. |
The Bar offers a service PracticeLaw.org which has writings, forms, worksheets and sample docs in 4 categories. [ ] Free to members, not available to public. |
| Mississippi
http://www.msbar.org Rating: Average to Above Average. Starting a law firm book is very useful but not clear what other programs are available specifically for solos. |
[ ] Solo and Small Firm Committee was not reappointed for 2005, but there is a listserv available to members on issues related to solo and small firm practitioners. | Ethics Opinions can be accessed from side bar menu. | Law Office consulting and
evaluation program [ ] (Select
"Member Resources" menu
option.)
LPM Resource Center library for members. |
Downloadable Solo and Small
Firm Practitioner's Handbook
(100 pages) at
http://www.msbar.org/solo_handbook/solopractice.doc
(Prepared by Young Lawyers Division) Client Relations Handbook offers downloadable forms and letters under "Publications" menu option and then "Tool Kit..." |
| Missouri
Rating: Above Average. Good number of solo sections and conferences; Client Keeper and Case Archives are definitely a benefit to solos and small firms. Not much on-line in the way of advice or tips on starting a firm and business of law practice. |
Solo and Small Firm Annual conference. Also a Solo and Small Firm Planning and Solo/Small Firm Practice email group. Much of site is password protected from non-members. | Searchable ethics opinions can be found at http://www.mobar.org/opinions/index.htm | LPM Section has a Lending
Library with marketing materials,
partnership agreements, etc.
Under "Practice Resources" menu option LPM online section offers telephone consultation, articles and tips section. Also offers a mentoring program and fee agreement sample forms with comments, both under "Practice Resources." |
Client Keeper downloadable
software (consisting of forms for
interviewing clients, fee
agreements, etc...) can be found
at
http://www.mobar.org/lpmonline/clientkeeper.htm
Also, Bar Page has an archive of Missouri case summaries at http://www.mobar.org/publications/caselaw.php |
| Montana
Rating: Average |
Could not locate solo or small firm section | Ethics opinions available from [ ] top bar menu on home page. | Bar has some [ ] material on tech tools under "Technology" option on main page. | Access to briefs filed with state court under "Legal Resources" option on main page. |
| Nebraska
Rating: Average to Above Average. Casemaker is a great benefit as are the mentioning program but not much else here for specific solos and small firms. |
Bar has a General Practice Section with a listserv. | Ethics Opinions and the Code of Professional Responsibility are on-line under side menu item "Ethics." | Bar has an LPM Section (Sections are listed under "Member Services" menu option). Also under this menu item is access to a description of the Bar's Mentoring Program (which is for lawyers with less than 3 years of practice experience) and SCOPE Program which enables lawyers to get assistance on a case in an area outside their expertise. | Nebraska has free member
access to Casemaker, a [ ]
research library of Nebraska
cases, jury instructions, verdicts,
settlements and Nebraska rules.
Go to [ ]
http://www.nebar.com/resources/casemaker/index.htm
|
| Nevada
Rating: Average |
Could not locate a solo or small firm section. | Select "Ethics" from top Menu. | Could not locate. | "How to Build Your Practice" listed as coming soon under Practice Aids menu option. |
| New Hampshire
Rating: Above Average. Site contains a decent amount of materials. But section materials are password protected and materials can be tricky to ferret out. |
Could not find solo or small firm section materials on-line. | Ethics opinions and a link to rules can be accessed by selecting "NH Practice Guidelines" from side menu, then select "Ethics Opinions" option from top, below page heading (note- this is confusion but we could not find more direct access). | Many Law Practice materials can be accessed by selecting "NH Practice Guidelines" from the left side menu at http://www.nhbar.org. Materials include a Client Relation Handbook, Model Fee Agreements and sample motion forms [ ]. | Client Relation handbook (see
description, left) is a useful and
somewhat unique feature.
Casemaker and draft jury instructions available to members. |
| New Jersey
Rating: Poor. Too many password protected areas and little substance available on-line. |
[ ] General Practice section (see Index on main page) offering listserv and links to newsletter issues, including LPM articles. | Could not locate ethics materials at website. | The NJ Bar has a Resource
Center for Law Office
Management, but online access
is password protected.
Lawyer to Lawyer Consultation Network program. |
[ ] Free access for members to
New Jersey caselaw through
Citeline.
Free meeting space available for members. |
| New Mexico
Rating: Above Average. Bar Office rental could help solos or small lawyers working from home. |
NM Bar has a solo and small firm
section, which among other
things sponsors brown bag
lunches. Also [ ] the Solo
Handbook [ ] can be accessed at
http://www.nmbar.org/Template.cfm?Section=Membership_Services |
Ethics opinions, Self-Audit, and hotline can be accessed on-line at [ ] http://www.nmbar.org/Template.cfm?Section=Risk_Management | [ ] Technology & Efficiency for Law Offices and Law Office Management page offer a number of articles and are accessible under Attorney Services/Practice Resources menu option. Also offers mentoring program. | The NM Bar offers space for rent for meetings and talks at its Professional Center. (See link under Listserves, left). |
| *New York
http://www.nysba.org (Voluntary Bar) Association of the Bar of New York City (ABC) (http://www.abcny.org) Rating: Excellent. Plentiful on-line resources for small firms and solos. |
NY Bar has a General Practice,
Solo and Small Firm Section
which puts out a monthly
newsletter "One of One" and
offered courses on small firm
issues.
The ABC also has a Small Firm Center (choose from main menu) with a free classified bulletin board for members and many on-line resources. [ ] |
Code of Professional
Responsibility and searchable
Ethics Opinions are available
from the "Attorney Resources"
menu at the NY Bar home page.
The ABC also has ethic opinions and a hotline, accessible under "Lawyer Services." |
The NY Bar has a Law Office
Economics and Management
Office (LOEM) and a Law
Practice Management
Committee. Articles on
marketing, technology and
starting a practice can be
accessed by selecting "Practice
Management" from the "Attorney
Resources" menu item at
http://www.nysba.org Also
includes sample engagement
letters.
|
The [ ] ABC offers an on-line
brochure on starting a law firm
and forms for office subleases at:
http://www.abcny.org/small_pamp.html [ ] The NY Bar offers free NY and federal case law for members through Loisllaw and Lexisone. Also offers Practice Management Advisors Library with links to collection of resources from bars around the country: http://www.legalra.com/LegalLibs/NYSBA/PMA |
| *North Carolina
North Carolina Bar Association Rating: Excellent Both the North Carolina Bar and the NCBA together offer great resources and services for small law firms with most on-line and easily accessible. |
The NCBA has a Solo and Small Law Firm Resource Center at [ ] http://www.ncbar.org/membership/smolo/index.aspx The Resource Center is on-line with a manual, sample billing and fee agreements and man other resources. | Ethics opinions, Rules of
Professional Responsibility and
Trust Account Guidelines can be
accessed from the side menu at
the NC Bar site,
http://www.ncbar.com
|
On-line guide to law firm marketing is available at [ ] http://www.ncbar.org/membership/smolo/index.aspx This site also has links to articles on Practice Tips ranging from web design to law firm retirement plans. [ ] Free alternate billing forms and samples of engagement letters are available from the side menu at the same site. There is also a linke to the YLD's "How to Open a Small Law Office" but we could not open it. | NCBA offers Casemaker with
North Carolina materials as well
as a listserve. It also offers a low
cost technical assistance
consulting program.
For solo & small firm members NCBA offers comprehensive manuals on planning and operating a law office and free client document management software. |
| North Dakota
Rating: Average Member services section under construction. |
No solo or small firm section. | Ethics opinions available at http://www.sband.org/ethics/ | No LPM materials could be located. | The ND Bar sponsors an on-line bulletin board at http://www.sband.org/bulletinboard/ |
| Ohio
Rating: Average - Above Average. Casemaker and Clientkeeper are great features, but most everything on this site is password protected. |
Not clear if there is a Solo or Small Firm Section as site is heavily password protected. | Ethics materials are available at http://www.ohiobar.org/practiceaids/ethics but these materials are password protected. | A list of practice materials such as practice management videos are available for purchase at [ ] http://www.ohiobar.org/cle/pubs/index.asp | The Ohio Bar has Casemaker which is a free research service for members and also "Client Keeper," a "toolkit of letters, checklists, etc... |
| Oklahoma
Rating: Excellent Good Management Assistance Program with interesting on-line articles. |
Solo and Small Firm Committee; also an annual Solo and Small Firm Conference | Ethics opinions and Code of Professional Responsibility available at http://www.okbar.org/gencounsel | Management Assistance
Program with lending library,
phone hotline. Includes some
good articles; also sample letters
and fee agreements. See [ ]
http://www.okbar.org/map/
Offers mentor program for lawyers practicing less than 5 years. |
[ ] Bar offers free meeting rooms during daytime hours and an online discussion group for members. |
| Oregon
Rating: Average |
Solo and small firm practitioners
section with newsletter [ ]
at http://www.ssfps.org
|
Ethics opinions, Code of Professional Responsibility and Ethics Hotline are available [ ] at side menu on main page. | [ ] Mentor program, free practice management advisor (part of Professional Liability Fund). The LPM Section at http://www.osbar.org/sections/lpm/lpms.htm offers a listserv and newsletter, and is working on offering more articles and sponsoring an LM & Technology show. | Lawyer to Lawyer and Lawyer to
CPA program where lawyers can
get advice from other lawyers or
CPA's (under [ ] "Lawyer
Services" at side bar).
Casemaker for members. |
| Pennsylvania
http//www.pa-bar.org Rating: Above Average |
Solo & small firm practice section with a listserv, password protected. Also offers a newsletter, and annual conference and retreat. | Offers an ethics hotline, but could not locate opinions in non-password protected areas of site. They are, however, available at the Philadelphia Bar Association site at http://www.philabar.org. | Bar has LPM Coordinator with some resources on starting a law firm at http://www.pabar.org/getstart.shtml Also pamphlets and books on solo practice. Some other useful articles at http://www.pabar.org/sarticle.shtml | [ ] A "Reverse Mentoring"
committee offers training for
members who need help using
the free online research service
Incite.
Lawyer to Lawyer advice network, and meeting rooms available to members. |
| Rhode Island
Rating: Poor. A very sparse site, heavily password protected. |
Could not locate. | Could not locate. | No. | Casemaker available to members. |
| South Carolina
Rating: Average. On-line forum for solo discussion improves ranking though increase in on-line materials would further enhance rating. |
Solo and Small Firm Section has an on-line forum, accessible to members only. | Ethics Opinions and Rules of Professional conduct are available from menu item "Ethics Advisory" on the home page. | Lending library, hotline, articles, presentations, and checklists for starting a practice available by choosing Practice Management on main page, or at http://www.scbar.org/pmap/Default.asp | Forms and Solo start-up manual
available by choosing Practice
Management on main page.
Site says Casemaker is coming in 2004. |
| South Dakota
Rating: Average. Website undertaking changes in organization and appearance. |
No special solo or small firm section. | Ethics Opinions and Ethics Rules can be accessed from home page. | No. | Extensive Manual on keeping client trust accounts. Though state specific, the manual has general information and cites to court cases in different jurisdictions. Available as selection underneath "Members" menu item on home page. |
| Tennessee
Rating: Above Average Free weblinks can give solos exposure to potential clients who look to the Bar for referrals. On-line resources are useful, though site could be improved by unlocking content at the Solo and Small Firm section site. |
GP, Solo and Small Firm section is password protected. Chat group and newsletter for members. | Could not locate Ethics Rules or opinions at the website, but bar does offers members free E-mail delivery service of recent Tennessee ethics opinions (as well as appellate court and Attorney General decisions). | TBA has a Law Firm
Management Office which will
offer office evaluations for a fee
and has a Resource Center with
a library of practice publications.
Some on-line resources, such as
a checklist for starting an office
and guidelines for accepting
cases at
http://www.tba.org/tnbarms/index.html
|
Free links to member websites.
Great exposure for small firms.
Listservs offered by sections. |
| *Texas
Rating: Excellent A wealth of valuable on-line resources for solos and a free legal research service. |
GP, Solo and Small Firm section with a digest on line http://www.gpsolo.com/gpd_index.htm Can also be accessed [ ] through "Sections" on main menu. | Ethics Rules and Opinions and Texas Center for Ethics can be accessed through "Client Assistance & Grievances" on main menu. | Law Office Management Office
with on-line resources like setting
billing rates, drafting employee
handbooks, etc...available [ ] on
main menu through "Quicklinks"
or at [ ]
http://www.texasbarcle.com/CLE/LMHome.asp
Also offers a mentoring program and free software training for office staff. |
MyTexasbar.com - free Texas research tool for Texas bar members. |
| Utah
http://www.utahbar.org The Solo section offers various helpful services for solos, but otherwise, the website is scant. |
"Solo, Small Firm and Rural Practice" section with a listserve and monthly discussion lunches (see http://www.utahbar.org/sections/solo/ ) | Ethics opinions at [ ]
http://www.utahbar.org/rules_ops_pols/Welcome.html Also offers Ethics hotline and ethics practice pointers under Office of Professional Conduct option on main page. |
No | [ ] Casemaker coming late 2004. |
| Vermont
Rating: Average |
Small firm practice section. | Ethics opinions and rules from Attorney Resources at side menu. | Practice management tips from "Attorney Resources" - side menu. | Casemaker available to members. |
| Virginia
http://www.vsb.org (State bar) http://www.vba.org (Voluntary bar) Rating: Average As VBA's newly created LPM group grows, resources for solos and small firms may increase. |
No solo or small firm section in either the VSB or VBA although VSB has a "General Practice" section with some older newsletters online. | The Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility and Ethics Opinions can be accessed at the VSB Page under menu item "Professional Regulation" | The VBA ha a newly created
LPM division at
www.vba.org/division/lpm.htm
Site has a list of law firm
marketing and case
management resources available
from vendors, a newsletter with
articles and tips, and links to
various sites of interest.
The VSB offers "Your Risk Manager," (under Members Information option), with a malpractice hotline, consultation on starting up a law office, trust account audits, and some online tips. |
VBA site links to http://hornbook.com where Virginia attorneys can seek free review of their engagement letters and read articles on ethics and practice tips. |
| Washington
Rating: Above Average The Bar's Law Office Management group reflects a desire to assist solos. Online practice gems, although somewhat superficial, provide quick tips. |
[ ] None. | Ethics materials, including Rules, Formal, Informal and even unpublished opinions can be accessed [ ] under "For Lawyers" at top of main menu. Bar also has an Ethics hotline. | [ ] LPM & Technology Section at http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/lpmt/default1.htm offers some resources and a listserv for members. LOMAP offers a list of "Practice Gems" at http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/gems.htm, including tips for starting a firm, generating clients, etc. Also offers library and low fee consultation to members. | No |
| West Virginia
Rating: Average Website is scant on-line information; few law practice management materials or small firm practice materials available on line. |
Solo practice committee at
http://www.wvbar.org/barinfo/comms/. Not much on-line information |
Rules of Conduct and Ethics Opinions can be accessed from menu item "Lawyer Disciplinary Board" listed under "Members." | N/A | No. |
| Wisconsin
Rating: Above Average. Difficult to get a sense from the website about what services the bar offers specifically for solos and small firms. But Bar's unique advertising tools undoubtedly will benefit small firms with limited marketing budgets. |
General Practice section and Solo and Small Firm Committee [ ]. Solo committee has an email list, newsletter, and sponsors a few seminars. | Rules of Professional Responsibility and Ethics Opinions available from drop down menu under "Legal Resources" Also offers an Ethics hotline. | [ ] Lawyer to Lawyer Listing is a
directory of attorneys available
for consultations. Also a
mentoring program for new
lawyers.
Downloadable CLE material "Kicking Your Practice Up a Notch" at http://www.wisbar.org/sections/gp/ |
Nice-looking, free on-line logos
and ads which attorneys can
download and use or their own
advertising at [ ]
http://www.wisbar.org/bar/brand/
Also, good example of how
branding and logos can work for
lawyers. Also, "Case law
express" - free email of new
Wisconsin cases.
Free meeting space for members. |
| Wyoming
Rating: Average. A serviceable website. |
Could not locate information on a solo or small firm section. | Rules of Professional Responsibility available from pull down menu under "Attorney Resources." Could not find Ethics Opinions. | N/A | Civil jury instructions available on-line. |
| *American Bar Association
http://www.abanet.org Very good. Good information for small law firms. But the ABA gets downgraded for abolishing the Standing Committee on Solo & Small Firm practice in 2004. |
GP, Solo and Small Firm section - go to http://www.abanet.org/genpractice/home.html There's an archive with previous newsletters | Ethics materials - Model Rules, ABA opinions and articles available at http://www.abanet.org/cpr/ethicsearch/home.html | Law Practice Management
section has its publications with
useful articles on line at
http://www.abanet.org/lpm/home.shtml
Solo & Small Firm Technology Center at http://www.abanet.org/tech/ltrc/gpsstechcenter.html |
Solosez listserve and archives at
http://www.abanet.org/soloseznet/home.html
Downloadable catalog for solo and small firm lawyers at http://www.abanet.org/solo/home.html |