Washington Lawyer - April 2019 - 16

"I learned a lot," she shares. "The training covered things like what your
engagement letter should say, how to market yourself as a lawyer, which
services to offer, how to handle IT, and even bigger questions like asking
yourself to think about your prospective clients and determine when they
are going to need a lawyer."
Following the seminar, Cassidy met with PMAS Assistant Director Dan Mills
and Senior Staff Attorney Rochelle Washington to further plan how to launch
her firm. "Meeting with Dan and Rochelle was extremely helpful," Cassidy says.
She founded Cassidy Law PLLC in 2012 and credits the PMAS for helping her
navigate the logistics of creating a law firm. "We went through the pros and
cons of establishing and managing a firm. [Dan and Rochelle] had a solid and
practical understanding of the rules of ethics and, overall, provided a sophisticated offering of materials to assist me. They really know what they're doing
and counseled me on exactly what I needed to do."
Established in 1995 by the D.C. Bar, the PMAS assists attorneys with the business
side of their practices, helping to ensure they avoid issues that could lead to
disciplinary charges. By improving management practices, the PMAS seeks to
improve the practice of law and the delivery of legal services to the community.
The services of the PMAS are also confidential within the parameters of Rule
1.6(j) of the D.C. Bar Rules of Professional Conduct. Additionally, the PMAS
assists lawyers referred by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or the Board on
Professional Responsibility.

What we do is designed to help lawyers
do a better job in running their business,
representing their clients, and avoiding
disciplinary issues in their business.
DAN MILLS
PMAS Assistant Director

A MENU OF SERVICES
The PMAS offers multiple ways - many of them free
of charge - to support Bar members in various areas of
their practice.
Trainings. These seminars cover a range of topics for attorneys in small
and solo practice at every level of their career.
two-part Basic Training & Beyond is a popular, free monthly
* The
seminar taught by Mills and Washington. Part one, "How to Start
a Law Firm," covers the basics, including the naming process, insurance
and office logistics, fees and agreements, IOLTA funds and business
accounts, business plans, and contingency strategies. Part two, "How
to Grow a Law Firm," dives deeper into management of the firm,
tackling marketing strategies, client issues like selection and intake,
technology, billing solutions, and more. The course is also available
in one Saturday session.
Small Firm Practice, also a free course taught by Mills and
* Successful
Washington, is offered in eight weekday sessions or two Saturday
classes and provides in-depth insights into starting, managing, and
growing a small firm. It is geared toward attorneys who are considering
launching or who have already launched a firm.
Small Firm Lunch and Learn Series is a free program that explores
* The
specific topics during brown-bag lunches each month. Recent sessions
covered self-publishing, tax advice, and a day in the life of an immigration lawyer.

WASHINGTON LAWYER

APRIL 2019

Practice Management Assessments. Mills and Washington are available
to conduct a free, confidential assessment of a Bar member's firm by analyzing and thoroughly reviewing its operations, management structure, and
procedures. Afterwards, attorneys receive a comprehensive written report
summarizing the PMAS's findings and recommendations. In 2017-18, the
PMAS completed 74 assessments - 67 of which were conducted at the
Bar's headquarters and 7 at the attorneys' offices.
Management Resource Line. Established in 1996, this email service and
telephone helpline allows attorneys to receive confidential information and
answers on a wide variety of practice management issues, from finances
and client communication to office technology and systems.
Lending Library and Practice Management Publications. To help attorneys brush up on the basics, the PMAS maintains a library of publications
focused on law practice management. Bar members can check out books
and other resources for up to one month. Additionally, the PMAS produces
several original publications, video programs, e-manuals, and a newsletter.
Practice Monitor Program. This service assists attorneys who are facing
disciplinary action. Practice monitors - volunteer D.C. Bar members who
are trained by the PMAS - provide remedial assistance to Bar members
who are eligible to be diverted out of the formal disciplinary process, who
allege a disability, or who are eligible for probation in lieu of suspension.
Practice 360°: A Day for Lawyers & Law Firms. Launched in 2014, Practice
360° is the annual PMAS small firm conference providing attorneys the latest
updates in law firm management, marketing, and data security. This event
offers discounted CLE courses, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall
with D.C. Bar partners. Last year's event included 20 programs and 20 vendors.

http://dcbar.org

Washington Lawyer - April 2019

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