"A Thoughtful Approach to Your Practice and Your Career"

April 13–15, 2012  |  Campbell's Resort  |  Chelan, Washington

WSBA's Lawyers Assistance Program is proud to host its 15th annual Statewide Conference: "A Thoughtful Approach to Your Practice and Your Career."

Highlights include:

• Succession Planning – Responsibility and Opportunity
  We are honored to have the WSBA Board of Governors President Steve Crossland, JD return to kick off LaSD’s annual conference to address both the professional and the ethical responsibility that lawyers have to plan for the expected (e.g. at retirement) or the unexpected (e.g. as a result of death or disability) termination of their practice; as well as the very real opportunity that such planning affords to look ahead at what they might wish their lives “in retirement” to be like. 
  
• Dealing With Difficult Clients—Lisa Voso, JD
  Ever been overwhelmed by your clients? Have you sometimes considered that no good deed goes unpunished? Lisa is just the person to remind you how to communicate carefully when working with your clients and to set boundaries consistently throughout your representation. Offering clients structured guidance is good for your clients and good for yourself!
  
• Client Engagement Without Client Exhaustion
  The impact of working with people in stressful or chaotic situations takes a toll on all of us.  A growing body of research on compassion fatigue (secondary trauma) helps a lawyer to become aware of whether or not their interactions with their clients is impairing their ability to focus on their work and manage other areas of their lives. Lawyer Services Department Associate Director Michael Badger, Ph.D. will provide self-assessment strategies for mental exhaustion and burnout, and introduce means of remediation.
  
• The Benefits of Regular Recalibration of One’s Practice and Life
  Peter Roberts, MBA and Heidi Seligman, LMHC
  How do we define success in a law practice? You have the choice to be intentional in examining what matters most to you in your practice and in your life. Taking time to evaluate topics ranging from income expectations, to what types of clients and practice areas you are serving, to office management strategies to allow for more efficient workflow are all critical. Also critical is having the tools for ‘self-care’ that will allow you to practice ethically and not become overwhelmed by your practice.
  
• Facilitating Responsible Decision Making for Yourself and Others
  Motivational Interviewing is a highly researched approach to facilitating change and resolving ambivalence. LAP Psychologist Dan Crystal will present on using this approach to both help individuals resolve dilemmas of their own and/or assist others as a peer counselor if they wish.  While this method was originally developed from experience in the treatment of problem drinking, it is equally applicable to other issues potentially impacting ones practice – including mental or physical health problems, determining a direction for your practice, managing challenging client relationships and establishing a realistic work/life balance. Developing skills with this approach will provide a safeguard for practicing ethically.  Breakouts will allow participants to practice these “conversational skills” designed to explore and elicit a plan for behavior change. 
  
• “What’s Wrong with This Picture?” Pete Roberts, Practice Management Advisor of LOMAP  Exploring the dilemma of office technology and billing by an hourly rate. Discussion of RPC 1.5 FEES allowing an alternative in how a flat fee is taken into the firm. Plus learn more of what Microsoft Outlook can do for you.
  
• Ethics Tips in the World of Technology and Social Networks – Jeanne Marie Clavere, WSBA Professional Responsibility Counsel
  Given the growing role of technology in all walks of life, including one’s law practice, many issues present themselves. What are confidentiality related concerns? What are a lawyer’s obligations when outsourcing legal and nonlegal support services? What is considered good website management compliant with the Rules of Professional Conduct? Discover and analyze concerns raised and proposed guidance offered by ABA and Washington ethics opinions, and the Rules of Professional Conduct. 
    

View the full conference agenda.               

Register Now 

Registration Fee: $120
9 CLE credits (2 ethics)  
Dessert Reception and 3 meals included

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Register by April 1, 2012.