Joshua Evett

From The Idaho Business Review

Joshua Evett has been elected managing director of Elam & Burke law firm. He replaces James LaRue, whose three-year term in that position was completed at the end of 2010.

Evett joined the firm in 2002. In addition to his role managing the firm, he will also serve on the executive committee and will continue an active practice in business and commercial litigation.

December 7, 2010 – Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 73-01, the Board of Commissioners of the Idaho State Bar is responsible for nominating bar members to fill positions on the Idaho Code Commission. The appointments are made by the Governor for six-year terms. The term of one of the Code Commissioners expired December 1, 2010. The Board is seeking applicants for the position. If you are interested in serving on the Idaho Code Commission, please email or submit a letter of interest to ISB Executive Director Diane Minnich (dminnich@isb.idaho.gov) by Friday, January 7, 2011. For more information on the duties and responsibilities of the Idaho Code Commission, contact the Executive Secretary, Max Sheils at 345-7832.

From the Idaho Women Lawyers website.

MARKETING RESOLUTIONS: 2011

In this last week of 2010, what marketing resolutions would be positive for your law firm to implement in 2011?

1. Make a list of all the items that should be included in your Marketing Plan—from fee structures to services—and then categorize the list.
2. Review each portion of your marketing budget. Delete the items that are not useful and add to the ones that bring in business.
3. Review your client list and improve strategies to increase business with existing clients.
4. Expand your prospect list and develop relationship-building tactics.
5. Establish accountability, connections, and follow-up between and among the attorneys and practice groups.

Have a meaningful and prosperous New Year!

To contact Merilee directly click here.

Jeffery Mandell of The ERISA Law Group P.A. in Boise has been named to Best Lawyers in America 2011.

Mandell also has been named in the 2010 Mountain States Super Lawyers for his expertise in employee benefits/ERISA. Mandell, a former adjunct professor of law, speaks and writes frequently on ERISA topics and meets with the government and other practitioners on the IRS TE/GE Pacific Coast Counsel regarding employee benefit issues.

The ERISA Law Group specializes in 401(k), deferred compensation, pension, health and other employee benefit programs.

Compiled by Pat Carson of the Idaho Statesman.

HOLIDAY ECARDS: HOLIDAY CONNECTIONS

Some law firms send eco-friendly electronic holiday cards. One benefit for the law firm is the card—as with the following three examples—may be forwarded to others.
California-based Gordon & Rees lights its 17 U.S. offices in 11 states. See http://www.gordonrees.com/newsroom/viewNews.cfm?contentID=1747&hmLink=yes .
Founded in 1965, Manatt Phelps & Phillips now has 350 professionals in eight offices. The Wall Street Journal law blog named the firm’s holiday eCard as its 2010 favorite card. See http://www.manatt.com/holidaycards/2010/ for a representation of humor through disclaimers.
Minnesota law firm Winthrop and Weinstine used music and illustration to announce its contributions to three charities. See http://www.vividgreetings.com/winthrop_ecard/.
What could your firm highlight in a future holiday eCard to make positive connections?

However you celebrate the holiday, enjoy the season!

To contact Merilee directly click here.

PATTON BOGGS: LEVERAGING STRENGTHS

Founded in 1962, Patton Boggs uses “One Firm. One Community.” as its tag line. This full-service law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., currently has more than 600 lawyers and professionals in nine locations in the United States and the Middle East.

As part of its marketing strategy, the firm offers nine special focus websites; Capital Thinking Magazine, Capital Thinking Radio Show, and Capital Thinking Healthcare Blog are three of those sites.

In the website’s Media Center, there are various news clips, as the one with Patton Boggs Senior Counsel Trent Lott appearing on FOX News on November 3, 2010, to discuss the recent elections.

The firm uses media to leverage its connections and connections to leverage its publicity.

To contact Merilee directly click here.

From The Idaho Business Review

Keely Duke has been named president of the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. Duke is an experienced trial attorney and shareholder at Hall Farley Oberrecht & Blanton.

Also joining as officers for the statewide board are: vice president, Sarah Seidl, Seidl Home Co.; treasurer, Katherine Fisher, Eide Bailly; secretary, Cindy Martin, Hewlett-Packard; and past president, Erik Hansen, Hampton Inn & Suites Boise Downtown.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho is a nonprofit organization providing a home-away-from-home for families of ill or injured children receiving medical treatment in area hospitals. Hundreds of families stay at the Idaho Ronald McDonald House each year.

Keely Duke

Beaton, Dale, and Sinclair named “2011 Boise Lawyers of the Year”

(Compiled by Pat Carson of The Idaho Statesman)

Kevin J. Beaton, James C. Dale and J. Walter Sinclair of business-law firm Stoel Rives LLP have been named “2011 Boise Lawyers of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America. Beaton was named the Boise Environmental Lawyer of the Year, Dale the Boise Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year, and Sinclair the Boise Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year.

Beaton is a partner practicing in environmental, administrative, and natural resources law with an emphasis on water quality, Clean Water Act permitting, Endangered Species Act consultations, water rights and related federal and state environmental enforcement actions.

Dale is a partner with a management-side labor and employment law practice. He routinely advises and represents some of Idaho’s largest private employers on labor and employment law, including employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, contract, wage and hour, and ERISA issues.

Sinclair is a partner who concentrates on business and commercial litigation. His practice regularly includes complex contract disputes, product-liability matters, antitrust issues, securities and class actions.

French, Mooney named new associates at law firm

(From The Idaho Business Review)

Mikela (Mike) French and Megan Mooney have become associates of Hall, Farley, Oberrecht and Blanton.

French joined the firm in September. Prior to attending law school, she worked for the Czech Republic for an organization that combats human trafficking. She then attended law school at the University of Idaho, graduating summa cum laude in 2008.

Mooney rejoined the firm in October after serving two years as a law clerk to Candy Wagahoff Dale, chief magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2007; prior to attending law school, she worked in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.

IWL Monthly Luncheon Awarded 1.0 hours of CLE Credit

IWL members:

We are pleased to inform you that the Idaho State Bar awarded 1.0 hours of credit (including 0.5 hours of ethics) for the October 26th IWL monthly luncheon with the Judicial Recruitment Committee.

To view the CLE Certification, click here and follow the link on the Idaho Women Lawyers website.

FGPPR.COM: WEBSITE IDENTITY

With 32 attorneys, Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff PC has four major practice groups and 14 subgroups. Based in Chicago, the firm promotes its FGPPR Illinois Construction Law Blog with 40 searchable topics and links to over 50 related blogs. Curiously, competitors and colleagues are the authors of many of the related blogs. For examples, see Frost Brown Todds’ Construction Law News, Bowie Jensen’s Maryland Construction Law Blog, or Wolf Law Group’s Construction Lien Blog.

Look at your website. Who are you promoting (attorneys, practice groups, clients, referring colleagues)? What are you promoting (industries, skills, experience)? How are you promoting your firm (Frequently Asked Questions, blogs, micro-sites)?

What are your website priorities for 2011?

To contact Merilee directly click here.