YLS: Practice Essentials for New Lawyers

Your civil procedure class got you through law school, but now you found a client who wants to file a lawsuit and you're not sure what to do now. This seminar will walk you through the process of preparing a complaint and summons that conform with the law. It will also describe how to file, either paper-filing or electronic-filing in the proper court, rules related to serving the defendant, and filing a proof of service with the court.

The classroom can make you a knowledgeable attorney, but experience will make you a great one. Hear from a panel of experienced lawyers as they take you through the intangibles of practicing law. Panelists will discuss things newer lawyers can do to stand out from their peers as well as common pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will also learn tips for honing writing and courtroom advocacy skills and for gaining valuable experience fairly early in their career.

Ever thought about being your own boss? Even if it's just an idea you're thinking about, this session is a must! Law school and the bar exam provided you the opportunity to learn and know the law, now get a sense of how to run your own business. Attend this seminar to learn invaluable tips and ideas about running a successful solo practice.

Practicing law as a career includes getting paid for your work. Every potential client who calls you will believe that they have a winning case, but how do you know which ones you should take? This seminar will include valuable information on initial consultations and recognizing cognizable claims with provable and collectable damages. This seminar will also provide useful information on structuring retainer agreements under the law and collecting fees from your client or an opposing party.

Now that you are licensed to practice law, you have probably started to realize that the business of practicing law can be expensive. The good news is that there are a plethora of free and low cost resources available such as Casemaker, Google Scholar, and ICLE Basic to help your practice thrive and become more cost efficient. In this age of rapidly changing technology, attorneys often struggle to keep up with the latest developments and identify the right resource for their needs. JoAnn Hathaway, practice management advisor for the State Bar of Michigan, will discuss many of the free or low cost options that are currently available to help you start your practice on the road to success.

Benchmarks of good oral advocacy include an attorney's ability to appear confident and prepared. Learning how to present in front of a judge and knowing what your judge expects is a paramount part of any case preparation. Come listen to the distinguished panel of judges who will provide their perspectives on pitfalls to avoid and best practices to adopt to maximize your next court appearance.

As a new attorney venturing into the legal profession, the State Bar of Michigan offers a wealth of services and opportunities to assist you with launching your career. This dynamic presentation on the benefits of bar membership and available resources features Darin Day, State Bar of Michigan director of outreach, along with other State Bar of Michigan representatives.

Early in your career, your student loans may seem overwhelming. Don't put your head in the sand; this is an important time to establish a plan to pay them off and meet your other financial goals. In this seminar, learn about your student loan repayment options and how to create good financial habits for a secure future.

It's no secret the legal profession can be a stressful one. With stress, chances of substance abuse, poor health, and other negative aspects can plague attorneys. How does one avoid these problems before they start? Tish Vincent, program administrator for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program and licensed clinical social worker, provides an informative seminar on achieving balance in the profession and combating stress. Find out how you can become an even healthier and happier lawyer!

No lawyer ever wants to receive a grievance or malpractice claim. When grievance and malpractice issues arise, they can be quite time consuming, and unfortunately the resolution can take the form of a sanction, suspension, or even disbarment. Fortunately, most client problems can be avoided through good client communication, proper conflicts checks, and separation of client funds. This seminar is designed to provide practical tips and resources on how to avoid and handle these issues.

Social media is often an overlooked networking device. Many lawyers only see the benefit in maintaining a LinkedIn profile as their CV or Rolodex, or they see Facebook and Instagram as a place for puppy or kitten pictures. The big three social media sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter) are some of the best places to start valuable connections, maintain existing relationships, and impress potential employers with the skills you learned in law school. Starting and maintaining a professional social media presence on any of these networks can help you land your dream job.

* Note that the Resume and Cover Letter Review and Professional Headshot are not seminars, just an added benefits for the attendees.

Resume & Cover Letter Review
The resume and cover letter are the two most important pieces of correspondence you will write during your job search. 30–60 seconds . . . that's the average of how long a potential employer looks at a cover letter or resume, meaning that you have less than a minute to impress the reviewer and differentiate yourself from other candidates. While we recognize that there are many available resources with tips on drafting resumes and cover letters, it is always beneficial to have someone else review them. To facilitate this process, we are happy to have an experienced attorney review your resume and cover letter and provide feedback as an added benefit of attending this seminar. Please forward your resume and cover letter to Shenique A. Moss at sheniquemoss@gmail.com by Monday, July 17, 2017.

Professional Headshot (15-minute appointments)
Your headshot is like the logo of your personal brand. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to your online presence, your profile photo often creates that impression. It also helps to define who you are and how you want to be perceived by others. If you use any social networks in relation to your career, it is best to use an appropriate photo for your profiles. Taking a photo with your phone's camera just doesn't cut it. Take advantage of our onsite photographer to update your headshot. Appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, please contact Shenique A. Moss at sheniquemoss@gmail.com.

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