Empower Your Practice: 2025 Solo & Small Firm Symposium - AI, Strategy, and Growth

The Maryland State Bar Association understands the unique challenges you face as entrepreneurs and self-employed legal professionals – from navigating HR and ethical marketing to embracing technological shifts and managing your budget, fees, and cashflow. The Solo & Small Firm Symposium is designed to address these critical needs, providing you with the essential knowledge and connections to thrive.

To best serve your specific professional journey, the Symposium features two dedicated learning tracks:

• Foundations: Geared towards new practices, this track will help equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills to build a strong legal business.
• Innovations: Designed for more established practices, this track focuses on cutting-edge strategies and advanced insights to elevate your firm and ensure its continued growth and relevance.

Why This Symposium is Essential for Solo & Small Firm Attorneys:

• Mini-MBA for Your Practice: This conference is crafted as a "Mini-MBA" specifically for solo and small firm practitioners. You'll gain crucial insights into business management, human resources, ethical marketing, and the impact of technology, areas vital for entrepreneurs who don't have the economies of scale large firms enjoy.
• Expand Your Network: Solo and small firm attorneys can often feel isolated in their practices. This symposium provides a dedicated, in-person opportunity to connect with other members, gain support from other practitioners, and create a valuable contact base for future reference and referrals. .
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: The legal landscape is constantly evolving, with significant shifts in technology like AI. This event ensures you receive current information on these vital areas and provides strategies to remain competitive and current in your practice.

5.0 CLE credits (1 ethics) will be offered for the surrounding MCLE states.  

Attending the Solo & Small Firm Symposium is more than just a day out of the office – it's a strategic investment in your future.

AGENDA

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Check-In & Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Keynote: AI on Your Side: Practical AI and ChatGPT Skills for Today's Lawyer

Learn how to harness the power of AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline your practice. The session will cover the basics of how AI can assist with legal writing and client communication. A key feature of the program will be a live demonstration of building a custom AI Assistant for an attorney to address common legal tasks. It's easier than you think! Attendees will leave with practical insights on how to integrate ChatGPT into their daily workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance client service. Whether you're new to AI or looking to refine your use of it, this session will provide actionable takeaways and guidance for incorporating ChatGPT into your legal practice.

Todd Scott, Esq., Minnesota Lawyers Mutual VP of Risk Management

Kiernan Waters, Esq. Minnesota Lawyers Mutual

 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Break Out Session #1

Towncenter Ballroom: Planning for the Unexpected: Succession Planning

This presentation will walk attorneys through the critical steps to create a succession plan for their practice to protect their clients' interests in the event they unexpectedly pass or become disabled. Bar Counsel explores the implications an attorney's conduct has in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct and case law, and how creating a "contingency plan" can prevent confusion and delays for clients of a deceased or disabled attorney.

Thomas DeGonia, Maryland Bar Counsel

Caitlin Phillips, Esq., Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission

Lakeside Ballroom: Getting Paid Without Getting Into Trouble.

 Learn critical strategies for ethically and effectively collecting your legal fees in Maryland, without running afoul of professional responsibility rules. This session will equip solo and small firm lawyers with the practical tools needed to ensure timely payment while maintaining client relationships.

Mary Ellen Flynn, Esq., of Counsel, Stein Sperling

11:45 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch

12:50 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Break Out Session #2

Towncenter Ballroom: Human Resource Issues for Established Solo & Small Firms

Navigate the complexities of managing a growing legal team, from compliant hiring practices and essential benefits to the unique challenges of overseeing a remote workforce. This session provides solo and small firms with actionable strategies to optimize HR functions and foster a productive environment.

Joyce Smithey, Esq., Smithey Law Group LLC

Lakeside Ballroom: Critical Start Up Considerations for Solo & Small Firms

This session provides Maryland lawyers launching their own firms with essential guidance on selecting the optimal business entity, setting up IOLTA and other critical accounts for tax and retirement, and mastering financial planning and budgeting. Gain the foundational knowledge to establish a fiscally sound and compliant legal practice from day one.

Steve Manekin, Vallit Advisors

 1:50 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Break

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Break Out Session #3

Towncenter Ballroom: "Of Counsel, On Your Terms: Possibilities for Career Growth & Transition" A Roundtable Discussion

The "of counsel" role is incredibly versatile and can be a powerful tool for lawyers at different stages of their careers. Join attorneys who've made the journey to explore the possibilities and challenges of this career move.

Sahmra Stevenson, Esq., Stein Sperling 

Mary Ellen Flynn, Esq., of Counsel, Stein Sperling

John Kudel, Esq., John Patrick Kudel, P.A

Lakeside Ballroom: Marketing & Social Media for Solo & Small Law Firms - What's Effective & What's Ethical? A Roundtable Discussion.

 Learn what's working and what's not with other lawyers, as your facilitators help attendees explore and implement proactive digital marketing and networking strategies, to create a more stable and predictable stream of new clients.

Lydia Lawless, Esq., Kramon & Graham, P.A. 

Elsa W. Smith, Esq. Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Plenary: Cybersecurity for Solos - Defending Your Firm

A panel discussion with cyber experts covering the current threats faced by Law Firms and their clients in the US. Includes technical, legal, and cyber insurance points of view and expertise. The panel will bring first-hand experience of responding to many incidents. The audience will learn strategies for managing cyber risk, as well as preventing, responding, and recovering from cyber events.

David Forrestall, SecurIT360

Spencer Pollock, Esq., McDonald Hopkins

Devin Patenaude, Beazley Security

 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Networking Reception

Unable to attend the live program? The program will be recorded and will be available on-demand.  Pre-purchase the on-demand program today!  

*Please note, this program will be available 2 weeks after the live event concludes.

MEMBER PRICE: $169 | NON-MEMBER PRICE $219

The Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) is committed to making its online and in-person services, products, and events accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please complete this form. 

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