Dec. 7, 2011 – The State Bar Practice411^™ Breakfast & Business: Eggs, Ethics and Answers series kicks off its annual statewide trek on Jan. 18 at the Holiday Inn in Pewaukee. Four more programs are scheduled (see inset box) from March through June.

The half-day seminars assist lawyers in improving their efficiency in the delivery of legal services and in implementing systems and controls to reduce risk and improve client relations. Topics are related to technology and ethics, and all seminars are submitted for CLE and EPR credits. All seminars, presented in two sessions, begin with a hot breakfast at 8:15 a.m. and conclude at 12 p.m.

Technology and preserving confidentiality

The first session, “Ethics and Technology,” will be presented by State Bar Practice Management Advisor Nerino Petro.

Several rules of professional conduct require lawyers to exercise great care in protecting electronic information. Because of these additional professional obligations, lawyers cannot rely on the standard of care applicable to other business persons. Lawyers must take special efforts to make sure their use of technology preserves confidentiality in order to avoid malpractice suits. Learn about hidden data, encryption, and many other pitfalls of technology.

Prevent ethical, emotional, and professional disasters

The second session, “Safe Lawyering: Protecting Yourself Against Ethical, Emotional, and Professional Disasters,” will be presented by Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program Coordinator Linda Albert.

Explore the personality of lawyers, how they differ from the general population, and what lawyers need to protect themselves from meltdown. This insightful workshop will also examine the correlations between lawyer imbalance, malpractice, and disciplinary complaints. You will learn steps for disaster prevention or rebuilding following chaos, and what Self-Determination Theory has to do with it.

Schedule a private consultation

If you have a specific practice management issue you would like advice on, Petro is available. Consult with him on timekeeping and billing software, hardware and office equipment purchases, business and financial planning, personnel, operations, or other practice management issues. Call (608) 250-6098, or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6098, to schedule your private consultation.

Tuition is $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers and is free for Ultimate Pass holders. The program will be submitted for up to 3.5 CLE credits and up to 3.5 EPR credits.

Speakers and topics for future Breakfast & Business: Eggs, Ethics, and Answers seminars will be announced as they become available.

Register online for the Jan. 18 seminar or call the State Bar at (800) 728-7788.