As clients become more fiscally-conscious and litigious, ethically compliant rainmaking and case selection are turning into more than a matter of integrity – they are a matter of firm survival. Don't fall into the trap of taking on “bad news” clients just to keep the case load up. This practical legal guide offers ethical strategies for attracting the right clients and filtering out the cases that you ethically cannot or shouldn't take. Get simple tips for staying in compliance and in the black – order today!

1. Attracting New Clients
2. Entering into the Attorney-Client Relationship
3. Avoiding Problems During Client Representation
4. Closing Out the Individual Case and Retaining the Client
5. Consideration of Common Ethical Dilemmas

Attracting New Clients
8:45 - 9:45, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Traditional Methods of Attracting Clients (Speaking, Joining, Running for Office, Word-of-Mouth)
Pre-Paid and Referral Provider Service Groups
Print Media and Mailings
On-Air/Cable Media (Television and Radio)
Electronic Media (Internet, Web Sites, Social Networking Sites)

Entering into the Attorney-Client Relationship
9:45 - 10:05, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Conflicts Screening and Conflict Check Systems
Limited Representations
Retainer and Fee Agreements

Avoiding Problems During Client Representation
10:20 - 10:40, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Establishing Reasonable Expectations
Confidentiality of Information
Communication, Including Telephone, Letter and Electronic
Boundary Issues: Keeping the Relationship Professional
Avoiding Issues over Billing and Payment

Closing Out the Individual Case and Retaining the Client
10:40 - 11:00, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Case Closing Conferences
Return of Original Documents
File Retention
File Destruction
Suggesting Additional Services

Consideration of Common Ethical Dilemmas
11:00 - 12:00, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

The panel will discuss 15 fact patterns that recur in everyday practice to identify the ethical issues and the practical approaches to avoiding and dealing with the ethical issues in an appropriate manner

 

MAX E. KIRK is a shareholder with Ball, Kirk & Holm P.C., where his main areas of practice are legal malpractice, litigation and appeals, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents (plaintiff), personal injury (plaintiff), products liability law, and professional malpractice. Mr. Kirk is a member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, Iowa Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Foundation, Black Hawk County Bar Association, First Judicial Nominating Commission, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission and American Academy of Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorneys. He earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Upper Iowa University and his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law.

TERRY DIANE PARSONS is an attorney with the law firm of Olsen & Parsons in Cedar Falls, where she practices in the area of family law. She has previously lectured for National Business Institute on matters related to dissolution of marriage. Ms. Parsons is the author of Iowa Legal Forms, Family Law Volume, Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1991, and has been an instructor for the University of Northern Iowa on family law and the public domain. She earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa, and graduated with high distinction when she earned her J.D. degree from the University of Iowa. She is a member of the Black Hawk County, Grundy County and Iowa State bar associations and the Iowa Association of Mediators.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com