P.I.S.S.D. -- Personal Injury, Social Security Disability. Dallas Texas Lawyers » Bar Associations and Legal Groups

Has Your Lawyer Been Disciplined?

Bob Kraft — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:42:40 +0000

Courtesy of FindLaw, there is a list of appropriate agencies in each state that can tell you, usually online, whether a lawyer has been disciplined in that state. In Texas you just visit the State Bar site. Here is an explanation from FindLaw:

An important step in evaluating whether an attorney is right for you is investigating whether he or she has ever been disciplined.

All states have a disciplinary organization that closely monitors attorneys. If a complaint is made against an attorney, the state’s organization will investigate the claim and determine whether or not the attorney has violated any ethical rules. If so, the organization will discipline the attorney as appropriate.

Attorneys can be disciplined for various reasons – from failing to pay their bar dues to misappropriating client funds to gross ethical violations. Some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer eligible to practice law. You should never hire an attorney who is not currently eligible to practice law.

It is to your benefit to thoroughly research an attorney’s disciplinary history. You should take into account any previous discipline taken and the circumstances surrounding the discipline.

The following state links will help you learn whether an attorney is currently eligible to practice law or has been disciplined in the past. If you need additional information regarding an attorney, follow up with the appropriate disciplinary committee.

Nicole Collier Speaks at Texas Trial Lawyers Association Conference

Bob Kraft — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:15:07 +0000

Congratulations to attorney Nicole Collier for being chosen to speak to the Mid-Year Meeting of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Ms. Collier’s presentation topic is Legal Blogging. The conference is being held this week in Austin, Texas.

PILMMA – Personal Injury Marketing and Management Association

Bob Kraft — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:48:19 +0000

Today is the first day of the Spring 2010 meeting of the Personal Injury Marketing and Management Association, one of my favorite legal organizations. This is the first PILMMA conference I’ve had to miss since its beginning in 2005. If you’re not a member, you should contact PILMMA and sign up for the Fall meeting. PILMMA meets twice a year, with a third conference thrown in for the Platinum level members. It’s terrific, and you should join.

These are seven things PILMMA will show you how to do:

Explode your caseload.
Increase the response and your return to all of your marketing.
Turn ALL of your employees into SUPERSTAR employees.
Develop and implement a strategic plan for your law firm’s growth.
Show you WHAT NOT to do when attempting to build a successful law firm.
Create systems that constantly generate new cases and referrals.
INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM LINE!

Another Great PILMMA Conference

Bob Kraft — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:47:41 +0000

Today is the last day of the Fall 2009 PILMMA Marketing and Management Summit, and it’s been the best one yet. I’ve been in the group since the first meeting in April 2005, and it just keeps improving.

We’ve had great speakers, fun and informative networking, and best of all was the two-day Platinum Level Mastermind meeting before the two-day main conference.

If you do any type of injury or disability law you need to check out PILMMA. Founder Ken Hardison has done a terrific job of bringing together some of the best and brightest lawyers, marketers, and management experts from around the country. And he brought in me too — I sort of slipped under the radar…

This group has my highest possible recommendation. Don’t miss the next meeting.

ABA GP|Solo Meeting Cancelled Due to Swine Flu in Mexico

Bob Kraft — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:56:54 +0000

In a disappointment to many people, members of the American Bar Association GP|Solo section received this e-mail today:

April 28, 2009

To GP Members:

Subject: ABA GP|Solo Spring Meeting is cancelled

Dear ABA GP|Solo Member:

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/, the human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division leadership has decided to cancel the spring meeting scheduled in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico from May 7-9, 2009.

The Division leadership discussed the varying information available about the outbreak, but ultimately decided that cancellation of this meeting is in the best interest of our members. Contingency plans for the committee meetings, the awards luncheon, and the council meeting are being discussed and more information will be posted to the website.

If you have already confirmed your hotel or meeting registration, an e-mail with detailed cancellation information has already been sent to you. If you did not receive this notice, please go to our website at http://www.abanet.org/genpractice/ or contact Laura Ramirez, GP|Solo Meetings Manager at ramirezl@staff.abanet.org or (312) 988-5659.

We deeply regret that this decision had to be made. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about it.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Zupkus
Chair, ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division

Please Attend TECHSHOW – April in Chicago

Bob Kraft — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:44:46 +0000

I've been attending TECHSHOW, presented by the American Bar Association almost since the beginning, many years ago. It's always a highlight of my year. The enormous amount of technical information presented is only one reason to attend. Equally important to me is the opportunity to meet in person with many of the friends I correspond with online.

This is one event that lawyers can't afford NOT to attend. Now is the time to learn about new technologies and new methods of doing business.

I think TECHSHOW is absolutely wonderful, and I recommend it very highly. It's aimed more toward the solo and small firm lawyer, but there are seminar tracks for IT specialists and Big Law members as well. The exhibit area is fascinating and the hallway conversations are always fun. Check it out at TECHSHOW.com.

Here are some details, provided by the ABA:

• ABA TECHSHOW is the world's premier legal technology CLE conference & expo. The three-day CLE conference is attended by more than 1,500 professionals each year and produces more than 50 legal technology CLE programs and training sessions in fifteen topical tracks.

• The ABA TECHSHOW 2009 is presented by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, April 2-4, 2009, once again at the Hilton Chicago, in the magnificent Windy City!

• TECHSHOW offers something for everyone—from new solos to large firm partners, from tech beginners to advanced IT directors—there are educational sessions for all. With plenty of “networking” time to talk with other lawyers and experts on the technology issues facing your firm.

• The social networking and marketing with technology sessions, alone, are well worth the price of admission. These seminars will help you generate new clients and new business from existing clients.

• The growth of eDiscovery is not stopping due to recession, so lawyers must continue to learn and update their knowledge.

• The sessions feature the best of the best in legal technology. Practicing lawyers and nationally-known legal technologists sharing practical strategies and ideas to build new business and make your firm or offices more efficient and cost-effective.

• Expand your referral network by meeting other lawyers from around the country. Build relationships at organized activities such as TECHSHOW After Dark for entertainment, food and drinks. Participate in the Taste of ABA TECHSHOW and dine with speakers and other attendees at one of several Chicago restaurants.

• Friday, April 3 is Solo & Small Firm Day, offering lawyers in these firms a special one-day admission with two all-day tracks of seminars especially for small firms.

• ABA TECHSHOW also features a two-day expo. Learn about the latest products and services in the Expo Hall, featuring more than 100 companies providing the latest hardware, software, and technology services to attorneys and law firms.

• Meet product and service vendors who may have more knowledge and experience than your local representative. No one wants to make a mistake buying the wrong software for the entire office. Make sure you are getting the right information before you buy!

• One-day passes are available at discounted registration fees. Super passes are also available for groups up to 10 persons from the same firm or for ANY group of 10 people (submitting their registrations together and one 1 check) for one flat rate!

• Attendance to the Expo Hall only is free with an Expo Hall Pass.

• Take advantage of the world's premier legal technology CLE conference and expo at a substantial discount by registering before the February 28, early-bird deadline.

• This year's featured keynote is Richard Susskind, author of The Future of Law, and his new sequel, The End of Lawyers?, who has 25 years of legal technology experience, and serves as Chair of the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information and has been IT Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England.

Featured Link – 230,000 Lawyers Recalled

Bob Kraft — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:22:00 +0000

With a hat tip to Bob Ambrogi, comes this startling announcement from the American Bar Association: 230,000 defective lawyers have been recalled!

Featured Link – LawyerSuccessClub.com

Bob Kraft — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:09:00 +0000

My friend, Maryland attorney Steven Heisler, has launched the Lawyer Success Club Web site. The site is new, and Steve is still building up content, but it shows great promise. If you’re a personal injury lawyer, check it out. Membership is free. Here is the description from Steve:

It’s like having your own P.I. Marketing and Practice Management mastermind group or mentor right at your fingertips!!!

Lawyer
Success Club is a community of Personal Injury attorneys from across
the globe DEDICATED to turbo-charging their Marketing and Practice
Management skills.

It’s generally recognized that successful business people are not necessarily the smartest or brightest.

The
one thing, however, that millionaire entrepreneurs do well is market
their products and services better than the competition.

LAWYERS ARE NO EXCEPTION!!!

Most
attorneys believe that if they just hang out a shingle the cases will
come pouring in. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!

In order to receive a steady flow of income generating cases lawyers must make Marketing a TOP PRIORITY!

In
addition, attorneys need to implement proper systems and infrastructure
to successfully handle the cases and manage their practice.

Yet, most lawyers give Marketing and Practice Management scant attention.

The result?

Bad decisions when spending marketing dollars.



Not enough good cases.



Constant headaches managing their practice.



High employee turnover.



Bar disciplinary issues.



It is with this in mind that Lawyer Success Club was created.

Lawyers Inner Circle Management And Marketing Conference

Bob Kraft — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:13:21 +0000

I’ve just finished day one of a three-day legal marketing and management conference put on by Lawyers Inner Circle. Like each of the other Lawyers Inner Circle conferences I have attended over the past few years, this one is excellent. I very highly recommend this group to any personal injury lawyer. Read more about the group at LawyersInnerCircle.com and sign up for the next conference, to be held in April 2009. I’ll see you there!

Please Help Lawyers Affected By Hurricane Ike

Bob Kraft — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:12:19 +0000

This notice is from the State Bar of Texas. Please help if you can.

Dear Texas attorney,

Hurricane Ike has devastated our Gulf Coast. Twenty-nine Texas counties have been declared disaster areas eligible for FEMA relief. Galveston, Jefferson, and Orange counties were hit particularly hard.

As lawyers in affected counties turn their attention from immediate concerns about shelter and the safety of their families and friends toward rebuilding their law practices, many will face major hurdles. Needs for office space, housing, and office supplies and equipment will be significant.

If you can offer to help in any of these areas, please email ikeresponse@texasbar.com and we will do our best to match your offer with a request for help from an attorney in need.

If you are able to make a financial donation, please visit the State Bar website for details on how you can contribute to a fund to help attorneys rebuild their practices, and also information about donating to legal services providers and to the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. The website will also serve as a clearinghouse for information on court orders and federal and state disaster relief resources.

Thank you for your generous support as we help our colleagues along the Gulf Coast meet the challenges that Hurricane Ike has posed.

Sincerely,

The State Bar of Texas