CLIENT SERVICE: JOHN McGOWN, JR.

John McGown, Jr., Of Counsel to Hawley Troxell in Boise, Idaho, reported that he has a long-term charitable client who regularly contacts him with questions. John wrote, “Once every few years I’ll volunteer to go to their business and spend a morning (or afternoon) answering any questions they might have. I don’t bill for the time, but do list it on the bill as ‘no charge to client.’ I give advance notice and we work out a time that works for them…. The client feedback is very positive.”

How do you offer extra attention to your clients?

Thanks to John McGown for suggesting his tip may be useful to other law firms.

To contact Merilee directly click here.

(From KTVB)

BOISE – A federal jury in Boise has found an Idaho attorney guilty of hiring a hitman to kill his wife and mother-in-law.

Edgar J. Steele has represented unpopular clients in the past, including the white supremacist group the Aryan Nations. His supporters maintain he’s been framed by the government, partly because he represented the group.

But federal prosecutors say Steele hired a man named Larry Fairfax to kill his wife, Cyndi Steele, and her mother-in-law because he wanted insurance money and he wanted to be free to pursue another woman. Fairfax told federal investigators about the alleged plot and testified against Edgar Steele in Boise’s U.S. District Court.

Steele faces more than 30 years in prison. Jury deliberations began Wednesday afternoon.

MASLYN LAW: THE LURE

The email server showed a recent pop-up for www.maslynlaw.com <http://www.maslynlaw.com> . Curious because of the rhythmic tag line “the savvy solution to franchise confusion,” I visited the site and found simple and effective content.

Self-described as a franchise and distribution law firm based in Richmond, Virginia, this apparently solo practitioner firm has useful website components:

· Call to action for a free one-hour initial consultation
· Credibility through Chambers USA national ranking
· Frequently Asked Questions/Answers for new franchisors
· Fee Philosophy, including a Success Fee (a premium fee is charged if the firm achieves the client’s desired result)
· Separate tabs with information for franchisors, manufacturers, and small business.

The pop-up marketing was the hook. How do you entice your prospects to learn about you?

To contact Merilee directly click here.

by Tim Baran of Lawyerist.com

Despite the lack of compelling evidence that mandatory continuing legal education meaningfully contributes to lawyer competency, it’s now embraced by 45 of the 50 states. Over the past three years, provinces or law societies in Canada have also hopped aboard the mandatory CLE express.

The question is no longer why mandatory CLE?

The accelerated adoption rate of CLE rules has shifted the conversation from the usefulness of a mandatory requirement to the quality, cost and delivery (formats) of accredited programs. It includes the onerous accreditation and reporting process and the burdensome, even punitive lawyer compliance rules.

To read the rest of the article click here.

(From Idaho Women Lawyers)

Idaho Women Lawyers is a proud sponsor of The White House Project, bringing “Go Lead Idaho” to Boise on May 21, 2011.

The White House Project brings its award-winning Go Lead Training to Idaho. Led by regional experts, this nonpartisan intense one-day seminar offers insight, skills and trainings in public speaking, leadership development and board/commission appointments to empower Idaho’s women to take on stronger leadership roles in their communities. Join Us. Go Lead Idaho.

Where: BSU Student Union
When: May 21, 2011 (9am-5pm)
Cost: $50
Register: WWW.GOLEADIDAHO.ORG

(From Idaho Women Lawyers)

Anne Wilde, an IWL member, is pleased to share the opening of a specialized practice: The HR & Benefits Advisor, PLLC.

The focus of The HR & Benefits Advisor is HR counseling on employment laws and ERISA. With respect to the employment practice, the firm will help employers develop and implement preventive strategies in the workplace to reduce legal and financial risk. The firm provides supervisor and employee training on critical employment law topics, such as discrimination in the workplace, ADAAA disability accommodations in the workplace, wage and hour laws, effective employee leave administration and other topics. The firm’s employee benefits practice focuses on employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans, with a present emphasis on advising employers/plan sponsors on ERISA, including significant health care reform compliance obligations.

Feel free to visit the firm’s website for a list of services The HR & Benefits Advisor offers its client employer groups, providing employment and benefits counsel to employer clients with a focus on cost-effective compliance solutions: www.TheHRandBenefitsAdvisor.com.

FISHMAN MARKETING: OWN YOUR MARKET

Last week in Seattle, Ron Fishman (CEO of Fishman Marketing), presented a seminar on Marketing and Business Development Best Practices. As an audience member, I appreciated his message to “own a small segment of the market”—regardless of your practice area. He stressed the importance of combining a focused audience with an exemplary rainmaker.

Although Fishman stressed advertising and public relations, I concluded that business development strategies are also vital. Be specific about what you market. Use a variety of strategies to reach your target. Focus consistently.

Each rainmaker in your firm needs to be able to answer the prospect’s question: “Why should I use you?”

To contact Merilee directly click here.