Many attorneys rely heavily on their nonlawyer staff to assist with the extensive workload that comes along with running a practice.  It is very easy to begin to lean on competent and experienced staff members to handle significant components of cases, but it is critical that attorneys have a clear understanding of the Bar Rules that address the appropriate roles of nonlawyers. In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes back Florida Bar Ethics Counsel, Jonathan Grabb, to discuss guidelines for the roles of nonlawyers and the attorneys that supervise them. The Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee has created the Legal Assistants and Nonlawyer Employees Ethics Informational Packet that addresses proper and improper activities of nonlawyer staff. If your questions or issues are not addressed in this episode, you can contact The Bar’s Ethics Hotline. Jonathan Grabb graduated cum laude from Florida State University’s College of Law in 2008 and became the Ethics Counsel for The Florida Bar in November 2021, after serving in the Ethics & Advertising Department for 8 years as an Assistant Ethics Counsel. Jonathan has fielded more than 20,000 calls on the ethics hotline, reviewed thousands of lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff opinions. Prior to working at The Florida Bar, Jonathan was a Senior Attorney at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 6870.REFERENCED RESOURCES: Rules, Ethics & ProfessionalismLegal Assistants and Nonlawyer Employees – Ethics Informational PacketSubject Index of Ethics OpinionLawyer RegulationABA Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services 

Have you ever considered starting your own law practice? It’s an appealing question – imagine being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and only accepting cases that you are excited about. There are certainly a lot of pros to starting your own practice, but for every pro, there are also several cons to consider.In today’s episode, host Jamie Moore welcomes Cristina Alonso of Alonso Appeals to discuss what it’s like to start and manage your own law practice.Cristina Alonso of Alonso Appeals is Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar. She handles appellate litigation in state and federal courts. She has handled over 100 appellate matters, including matters before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Florida Supreme Court, and all Florida district courts of appeal. She also works as an integral part of trial teams, having served as counsel at over 25 trials. Her work includes providing litigation support, including ensuring that issues are preserved for appellate review, and drafting and arguing complex pre-trial motions, case dispositive motions, jury instructions, and post-trial motions. Her work also includes developing innovative strategies for new and evolving theories of liability, representing individuals and corporations in high-stakes litigation, managing national and statewide litigation, and providing appellate consulting services to trial counsel. Her experience spans various practice areas such as complex business litigation, constitutional and civil rights, mass tort litigation, and products liability. She was honored by the Daily Business Review as the “The Most Effective Lawyer” in Appellate Practice of 2014 and as one of “The Most Effective Lawyers” of 2009 in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. She was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the 40 Minorities under 40 of 2011. She also received the Florida Diversity Council’s 2012 Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award, was named a Top Lawyer in the South Florida Legal Guide 2013-2022, and was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2013-2022. Cristina currently serves as the Chair-Elect of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the Florida Bar, and as an appointed member of the Board of Governors.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #6784.REFERENCED RESOURCES:Alonso AppealsLeadershipBlogPublicationsSolo & Small Firm Section of The Florida BarSection WebsiteNew Law Practice/New Office ChecklistChoose a Corporate StructureMember BenefitsStart a Law Firm TopicsABA Article: I’m Ready to Start My Own Law Practice – What Are the Pitfalls?Join the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral ServiceWixLegalFuel

We all know that the practice of law can be extremely stressful, and unfortunately, lawyers have consistently experienced higher rates of depression and substance abuse. Because of this, The Florida Bar’s Mental Health & Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee continues to strive to bring awareness to the resources available to Bar members. One of the resources, Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., or FLA, provides confidential assistance through assessments, referrals, education, and support groups. In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore, welcome Dan McDermott and Carol Parks, of Florida Lawyers Assistance. We discuss programs and services available to assist attorneys, judges, law students, and other legal professionals who may be impaired in their ability to function in a legal setting. Dan McDermott was appointed Executive Director by the Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc Board of Directors, effective June 15, 2020. Dan graduated from Yale University and The University of Iowa College of Law. Following a two-year clerkship with the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Dan practiced law in Cedar Rapids for 5 years before moving to Washington, DC. He then began what is now a more than three decades-long stint as a lawyer in recovery. Dan worked in government relations in the financial services and technology sectors, before becoming Head of US Government Relations of Visa, the world’s largest electronic payment network. At FLA, Dan is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations. The foundation of his work is assuring that members of Florida’s legal community receive compassionate interaction and appropriate counseling. Carol Parks received her B.A. in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. She then became a Florida Certified Health Professional, received a Master of Science in Counseling from Nova University, and a Master of Business Administration from St. Leo University. She has worked tirelessly to educate and treat those suffering from addiction and mental health issues. From behavioral health technician to Chief Executive Officer of a 100-bed dual-diagnosis facility, Carol has the advantage of understanding all aspects of treatment from evaluation to aftercare, and from discovery to recovery. This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Mental Illness Awareness CLE credit. Course #6704. REFERENCED RESOURCES: Florida Lawyers AssistanceMeetings & EventsCLEFlorida Bar Mental Health and Wellness CenterMember Benefits Program: Mental Health and WellnessFlorida Bar News: Group Provides Support for Working MothersLegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida BarLegalFuel: Free CLE

Most of us at one time or another might have heard the saying, “great minds think alike.” Perhaps our colleagues have said it when collectively the same decision is made, or an exceptional idea is brainstormed in a group. But do great minds think alike, or do great minds think differently?In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Haley Moss, author of Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals. We discuss how having a better understanding of neurodivergence can help lawyers foster positive relationships with their colleagues and help them work more effectively with the clients they serve.  About Haley Moss:Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Haley Moss’s parents were told that she might not ever finish high school or earn a driver’s license. Today she is a lawyer, neurodiversity expert, keynote speaker, educator, and the author of four books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. Haley is a consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating a diverse workplace, and a sought-after commentator on disability rights and the Americans With Disabilities Act.The first openly autistic lawyer in Florida, Haley’s books include “Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals” (ABA Book Publishing; June 2021), “The Young Autistic Adult’s Independence Handbook” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers; November 2021), “A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers; October 2014), and “Middle School — The Stuff Nobody Tells You About: A Teenage Girl With High-Functioning Autism Shares Her Experiences” (AAPC Publishing; March 2010) Her articles have appeared in outlets including the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, GQ, Bustle, Fast Company, Law 360 Pulse, and the ABA Journal.Haley earned her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law with numerous honors. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2019, she is the recipient of awards including the American Bar Association Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division’s Breaking Barriers Award (2021), D-30 Disability Impact List (2021), Road Less Traveled Award from Ms. JD (2020), Outstanding Self-Advocate Award from University of Miami — Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (2018), and Publix Self-Advocate of the Year from the Palm Beach County Special Needs Advisory Coalition (2018).This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Mental Illness Awareness CLE credit. Course #6579. 

The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service was created in 1972 to bridge the gap for individuals in need of legal services by referral method with licensed attorneys. The Lawyer Referral Service serves an important purpose in providing clients with an unprejudiced referral to a licensed attorney who has the experience and knowledge in the area of law suitable to the client’s legal needs. In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Christine Bilbrey, to discuss how attorneys can become a member of the Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service to serve Floridians and grow their client base. Christine Bilbrey is the Director of The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center, and one of the hosts of The Florida Bar's LegalFuel podcast series. In addition to the Practice Resource Center, Christine oversees all things related to the Lawyer Referral Service and is also the staff liaison for The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers. Christine holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Legal Administration. She previously served as the principal firm administrator at area law firms in her hometown of Pensacola, Florida. Prior to joining The Florida Bar, Christine was a certified HR classroom and virtual trainer for the world’s largest credit union.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course # 6473. REFERENCED RESOURCES: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral ServiceLawyer Referral Service Office: [email protected] the Lawyer Referral ServiceLawyer Referral Service Membership ApplicationCoverage AreasLawyer Referral Service RulesThe Rules Regulating The Florida BarChapter 8LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not new concepts for law firm managers, however the pandemic resulted in more firms acknowledging that remote and hybrid models do work and are worth investing in long-term.  According to a recent American Lawyer survey, “80% of firms have completed, or are currently developing, formal assessments of roles and individual workers to see if they were eligible for full remote work in perpetuity—beyond the pandemic.”In today’s episode host Karla Eckardt welcomes Garima Goswami and Andreas Becker, of Lawyaw, a Clio company, to discuss their eBook on managing remote and hybrid law firms.Garima Goswami is the Content Manager at Lawyaw. She is in charge of studying the current state and upcoming trends within the legal industry and creating content based on the findings. Previously, she worked as a content marketer in the finance automation industry focusing prominently on the digital payments sector; led crisis management and communication projects; and, worked as a journalist for print media before transitioning into SaaS marketing.  Andreas Becker is the Director of Business Development of Lawyaw at Clio. He has spent the last three and a half years working closely with thousands of legal professionals across the country to help streamline their practices. Prior to Lawyaw, Andreas practiced for several years as a personal injury and real estate attorney. He received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1 hour of General CLE credit including 1 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course #6243.REFERENCED RESOURCES:Lawyaw, part of ClioeBook: Tips for Managing Remote and Hybrid Law FirmseBook: How to Implement Process Optimization at Law FirmsArticle: How Law Firms Can Reinvent Talent Acquisition and Retention StrategiesThomson Reuters: 2021 Report on the State of the Legal MarketThe American LawyerArticle: Most Lawyers and Staff Are Now Eligible for Hybrid WorkArticle: For Hybrid to Work Longterm, Law Firm Processes Need Refresh ALA Legal Management Magazine: Let’s Make a DealABA Formal Opinion 483Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 4-7.12(a)

Back in the 1960s, doctors were not yet aware that physical exercise could improve cardiovascular health. Flash forward to today and scientists are proving that with the right mental training, we can change the structure of our brains resulting in improved memory, strengthened focus, better decision making, and even reduced stress and anxiety.Many of these studies have been conducted on groups of people who work in what are identified as “High-Demand” professions including soldiers and athletes. We know that the practice of law easily falls into this high-demand designation, so today we have brought in an expert to educate us on how we can integrate brain training into our lives in the same way we use a regular exercise program to strengthen our bodies. Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha’s work has been featured at TED, NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in the New York Times, NPR, TIME, and Forbes. She is also the author of the national bestseller, Peak Mind, Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1 hour of General CLE credit including 1 hour of Mental Illness CLE credit. Course #­­5975.REFERENCED RESOURCES:Amishi.comamishi.com/books/peak-mind

In 2021 The Florida Bar Board of Governors launched a three-month beta test of a tech support helpline. After much success, the non-emergency Florida Bar Tech Helpline was added to the Member Benefits catalog in February 2022. The Tech Helpline offers routine remote services, including basic troubleshooting, operating system support, and technical setup for home and remote offices.In today’s episode host Christine Bilbrey welcomes Adriana Linares, owner of LawTech Partners, operator of The Florida Bar Tech Helpline.Adriana Linares is a legal technology consultant and trainer. She is a frequent speaker at national technology conferences and a regular contributor to legal blogs, publications, and podcasts. In 2013 she was selected as a Fastcase 50 honoree, recognizing “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries, and leaders.” She served as Chair of the American Bar Association TECHSHOW 2017 and was profiled as a Legal Rebel Trailblazer by the ABA Journal in 2018. She is also the Technology & Practice Management Advisor of the San Diego County Bar Association. She has served as a technology consultant the Florida Bar Board of Governors and operates The Florida Bar Tech Support Helpline.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for .5 hours of General CLE credit including .5 hours of Technology CLE credit. Course #­­5911.REFERENCED RESOURCES:The Florida Bar Tech HelplineLegalFuel Technology ResourcesTechnology CLEs 

The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center gets a lot of questions about trust accounting and technology, but one of the most popular topics members contact us about is Continuing Legal Education (CLE). They want to know how to find our free CLEs, or they are having trouble posting credits, or they are confused about the CLE requirements. New attorneys have questions about the Basic Skills Course Requirements (BSCR) and more experienced attorneys are looking for courses to maintain their Board Certification status. So, to help us bring clarity to all things CLE, we have brought in the expert.In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt welcome Director of The Bar’s Legal Specialization and Education (LSE) Department, Maritza McGill, to discuss all things CLE.Maritza McGill is the Director of the Legal Specialization and Education (LSE) Department of The Florida Bar. Maritza graduated from The Florida State University and was a Program Administrator at The Florida Bar from 1982-1997. She returned to the Bar in 2012 as Assistant to the Director of LSE and in 2015 she was promoted to Certification Specialist. In 2018 Maritza became the Assistant Director of LSE and then in 2022, was named Director.  As the LSE Director, Maritza has oversight of the certification program, course accreditation and CLE/BSCR compliance of members.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #­­5877.REFERENCED RESOURCES:Florida Bar Member PortalYour CLE RecordsFlorida Bar Continuing Legal EducationOn-Demand CLE CatalogGeneral CLE Info & RequirementsCLER Forms and ApplicationsPetition for Removal of CLER DelinquencyCLER FAQsOrder CLE CD/DVD ProductsBasic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR) FAQsBSCR Forms and PetitionsBSCR Phase 1: Practicing with Professionalism (PWP)BSCR Phase 2: Basic CoursesArticle: ABA CLEs Ineligible for FL CLE CreditLegalFuel Free CLEs

Disciplinary Actions are likely the most closely read section of each edition of The Florida Bar News. However, total discipline cases are actually on the decline. According to the Bar’s website, in a typical year, the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) receives over 16,000 requests for assistance; and only about 25% of those inquiries result in the opening of a disciplinary file. Last year 3,364 files were opened which resulted in only 318 Supreme Court Discipline cases.In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt welcome back Deputy Director of Lawyer Regulation, Patricia Savitz, to discuss The Florida Bar’s lawyer discipline process. If your questions or issues are not addressed, you can contact LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar for guidance.Patricia Savitz has been with the Bar since 1997 and was previously Bar Counsel with the Orlando Branch of The Florida Bar where she handled all aspects of Bar disciplinary proceedings. She was recently promoted to Deputy Director for the Lawyer Regulation Department of The Florida Bar. Patti received both her undergraduate and her law degree from the University of Miami. Prior to working at the Bar, Patti was an Assistant Public Defender in the 20th Judicial Circuit in Fort Myers and was a Senior Attorney with the Department of Children and Families. She has done extensive appellate work including oral argument before the Fifth District Court of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court.This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1 hour of General CLE credit including 1 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course #5838­­. REFERENCED RESOURCES:The Florida Bar – Attorney DisciplineFlorida Bar Attorney Consumer Assistance (ACAP) Hotline 866.352.0707 The Rules Regulating The Florida BarChapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar