Small Law Firm News – June 2010

A NOTE FROM THE SLFC DIRECTOR

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear Solo and Small Firm Practitioners,

It was inspiring to see so many of you at our May 13 Small Law Firm Luncheon on Starting and Expanding Your Practice, as well as during the series of monthly practice management and stress management luncheons we held this year. You have listened, asked questions, shared your triumphs and your challenges, helped us and your colleagues with tips and suggestions and participated in the Small Law Firm Survey and in our online LinkedIn and Facebook groups.

Negotiating a Commercial Lease

Contributed by Diane Schottenstein, of the Schottenstein Law Firm
member of the NYC Bar Committee on Small Firms

The commercial real estate market in New York City is still soft, but the brokerage community reports that it is recovering. Therefore, it may be a good time to lock in a new lease. However, finding a great space in a great location is just the prelude to getting a great lease. The landlord’s standard lease is generally long and technical and has been customized to protect the landlord. A lease is a binding contract, and signing a bad lease can be a very costly mistake which can severely affect one’s business. This article briefly reviews some of the important provisions that a corporate tenant needs to review when negotiating a lease.

Practice Management Consultations

As a Member Benefit of the NYC Bar, any member who is interested in starting and/or growing his/her small law firm is entitled to one free practice management /brainstorming session with Alla Roytberg, Director of the Small Law Firm Center. If further consultations are needed, NYC Bar members can schedule additional consultations with Alla Roytberg at a discounted consultation fee of $50 per consultation. Payment should be by check made payable to “The New York City Bar” in advance of each consultation. A consultation would last up to one hour, as needed. To schedule a consultation email aroytberg@nycbar.org.

SAVE THE DATE!

Business Opportunities Through the Association’s Legal Referral Service
Small Law Firm Luncheon
Thursday, June 17, 2010 12:30 – 2:00pm

Are you looking to expand your client base? Would you like to join the panel to receive referrals from the Association’s Legal Referral Service (LRS), which is the oldest and largest referral service in New York State and receives 300 to 500 calls each day from people looking for legal representation? Please attend this luncheon program to learn how LRS works and how it can help you.

Moderator: Mark A. Josephson, Esq., CPA, CFP, CFE
Murray & Josephson, CPA’s, LLC

Speaker: Allen Charne, Director of LRS
Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Sponsored by:

Registration by June 14 is necessary. The fee, which includes lunch, is $30 for members, $50 for non-members. Please click HERE to register online.

AN IMPROVED BENEFIT FOR MEMBERS

ABA Books at 15% Discount to Members of the NYC Bar can now be purchased DIRECTLY from the ABA.

The Small Law Firm Center is pleased to announce that members of the NYC Bar are now able to purchase any book publish by the American Bar Association at a 15% discount DIRECTLY from the ABA. To take advantage of this benefit click on the following link, http://www.ababooks.org and enter discount code PAB8ENYC upon checkout.

SAVE THE DATE!

Annual Law Practice Management Symposium
Tuesday, November 4, 2010