National Solo and Small Firm Conference

Last week, I attended the National Solo and Small Firm Conference, held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of GP/Solo Division of the ABA. In addition to some great CLE presentations and opportunities to re-connect with some old friends like Paramjit Mahli of Sun Communications Group, my partner in crime for the How to Grow Your Law Practice on a Shoestring Budget series (that's me on the right and Paramjit on the left)

And Lisa Solomon of The Billable Hour and Legal Researach and Writing Pro (on the right - we're waiting for the tour of Independence Hall)

The conference was a great opportunity to connect some my internet friends' names to their faces (it's much better meeting in person than just looking at their picture on their website) and to establish even stronger relationships.

Here I am with Susan Cartier Liebel of Build a Solo Practice, LLC - a former 'internet friend' who's now even more of a 'real' friend.

David Kaufman , Lisa Solomon, Carolyn Elefant of My Shingle and Andy Simpson all took a few moments out for a photo. While we email all of the time, we rarely (if ever) have the opportunity to spend time together in person. They're all prominent Solosezzers, and there were 'Sezzers in abundance at the conference. It would be impossible to include all of them here, but it was great to see Andrea Goldman, Ross Kodner, Jim Calloway and others. If you're not a member of the Solosez list-serv and you're a solo or in a small firm, you might want to consider joining - it's a great resource for everything from software recommendations to substantive law to fixing clogged drains. You don't have to be a GP/Solo member (or even an ABA member) to participate.

We even had a chance to do a bit of sightseeing in Philadelphia. That's me with the Liberty Bell, on of our nation's great symbols (right before it was mobbed by schoolkids on a field trip). It was quick tour of some of Philadelphia's historic sites, and a great reminder of the ideals and principles upon which this country was founded - and the role many lawyers played in creating our system of government.

For those of you that don't participate in conferences like these, I urge you to do so. Not only will you have an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business (and I hope to share with you some of the tips I picked up a the conference in future posts), but you'll also forge great professional and personal relationships that reap rewards too numerous to mention.

Next year's Solo and Small Firm conference is planned for Sante Fe - I hope to see many of you there!