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<td style="padding-left:10px; padding-top:10px; padding-bottom:10px; padding-right:15px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10pt;">JANUARY 5, 2017</td>
<td style="padding-left:10px; padding-top:10px; padding-bottom:10px; padding-right:15px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10pt;"><strong>Welcome to Bar Briefs, your quick weekly collection of practice tips,<br />
membership benefits, upcoming events, new products, and more!
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<h2 style="color: #045394;">2017 – What’s Trending?</h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">The start of a new year brings questions about what lies ahead, and we all want to be prepared for whatever the future holds. That’s why we pored over dozens of online articles, blogs, and reports to find the following six legal trends we think you’re likely to see in 2017.
</p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Cybersecurity.</strong> With the cost of data breaches increasing and with cyberattacks no longer limited to only large players, firms of all sizes will need to develop or review their cybersecurity plans. Firms need to take steps like defining what constitutes a breach, to how to reacting to a breach, to instituting digital solutions that can manage and maintain protection. Any solution firms consider will need to meet industry requirements for data security. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Legislation.</strong> Several federal legislative issues will affect the legal industry this year, with labor and employment practitioners and their clients poised to see some of the greatest impacts. Deregulation at the federal level likely will be widespread. Targets include employer mandates contained in the Affordable Care Act, the new threshold for overtime pay, and the new rule applying fiduciary standards to sponsors and participants in 401(k)s and similar retirement plans. </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Diversity.</strong> As firms realize and experience the benefits of having a diverse workforce, 2017 will see them addressing factors that contribute to the lack of diversity in the profession. According to a study published by market research firm Acritas, law firms that offer “very diverse teams” of lawyers tend to receive a 25 percent greater share of legal spending than non-diverse teams. In addition, these teams tend to perform better, providing superior results to their clients across all key performance areas. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs).</strong> In the self-help era of the internet, you would expect a noticeable increase in the demand for AFAs. Contrary to what we expected, the billable hour is not dead. Instead, discounted hourly rates are still more common than true AFAs. However, clients will be more likely to request value pricing, capped fees, and fixed fee arrangements. </p><p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Technology.</strong> Changing customer expectations, driven by their experiences in other sectors such as retail and banking, will increase demands from consumers for similar innovation from the legal industry. Real time billing, status tracking, and communications will all need to evolve to meet client expectations. The plus side? Firms have experienced increased billable hours when they adapt certain technologies. </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Changing workforce.</strong> The challenges of managing four generations working together, along with their differing motivators, expectations, attitudes, and values, will drive firms to become more accommodating. In order to attract and retain top talent, we’ll see firms adopting more open work cultures that include the option to work from home and flexible work schedules. </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">If you’re curious about what other predictions are percolating out there (there are hundreds), below are some sites and articles we used to compile the trends above. Happy New Year and good luck in 2017!</p>
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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/prod/NewPC2-Pamphlets-web.jpg" alt="" width="175" align="right"/>Showcase Your Legal Know-How to Potential Clients</h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">When potential clients face a divorce, personal injury claim, landlord-tenant dispute, or other legal concern, they want to be sure they choose a great lawyer. Are your firm’s website and print marketing materials doing the job of convincing them you’re the right lawyer for the case?</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">Position your law firm as a reliable source of helpful information for potential clients with the <a href="
http://marketplace.wisbar.org/ConsumerEducatorResources/Pages/All-Consumer-Pamphlets.aspx">Consumer Pamphlet Series</a>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">The Consumer Pamphlet Series covers 19 topics – everything from bankruptcy to wills – in clear, easy-to-understand language. Simply select the topics that emphasize your firm’s key practice areas and then incorporate the content into your digital and print marketing.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>5 Ways to Use Consumer Pamphlet for Law Firm Marketing</strong></p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<li><strong>Update your website:</strong> Make your firm’s website the go-to resource for competent legal advice. Consumer pamphlets content breaks down complex legal situations for potential clients while encouraging them to reach out to a lawyer like you for assistance. </li><li><strong>Create an eye-catching office display</strong>: Buy a simple display rack and fill it with a selection of print pamphlets. With one glance, potential clients will see all of your practice areas. </li><li><strong>Put a stamp on it:</strong> Consumer pamphlet brochures make an impactful inclusion in a direct mail piece to potential clients in the area. You can also use them in communication with existing clients who may not know the services you offer. </li><li><strong>Spotlight a specific practice area: </strong>Use consumer pamphlets content in a blog post or as part of a mail piece to introduce a new practice area your firm is offering or to promote a practice area that people may not realize your firm provides. </li><li><strong>Share them in your community:</strong> Set up informational displays at your local library or community center. Even use consumer pamphlets as handouts at your next speaking engagement.</li></ol>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">Show potential clients that your firm is the best choice for their legal needs with help from the Consumer Pamphlet Series. See the entire selection of topics <a href="
http://marketplace.wisbar.org/ConsumerEducatorResources/Pages/All-Consumer-Pamphlets.aspx">here</a>.</p>
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<h3 style="color: #045394;"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/Lris_people.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="111" align="left"/>Want More Clients? Join the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) Panel for Less than $8 per Month.</h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">Between busy schedules and tight budgets, attracting new clients for your practice can be a big challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. With the State Bar of Wisconsin’s<a href="
http://www.wisbar.org/forpublic/ineedalawyer/pages/lris.aspx"> Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS)</a>, finding new clients is easy! </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">You choose the areas of practice and the geographic locations in which you want to receive client referrals. LRIS screens more than 25,000 calls from potential clients each year to find the ones that are just right for you. Prior to making a referral, our team of experienced referral specialists:</p>
<ul>
<li>Screens out callers seeking free legal information
</li>
<li>Determines that there is a true legal need
</li>
<li>Establishes that the caller has the means to pay</li></ul>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">Compared to advertising, email campaigns, or other forms of marketing, LRIS is an inexpensive and cost-effective way to grow your client base.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="
http://www.wisbar.org/formembers/lawyerreferralprograms/Documents/LRIS50-FY17.pdf">Join LRIS now at 50% off the registration fee!</a> For less than $8 a month, get carefully screened client referrals to help you build your business<strong> through June 30, 2017</strong>. </p>
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<h3 style="color: #045394;"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/HonorSocietyLogo.jpg" alt="" width="125" align="right"/>2016 Pro Bono Honor Society Certifications</h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">Did you donate 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services in 2016? If the answer is yes, make sure you register for certification for the 2016 Pro Bono Honor Society. Visit the <a href="
http://wisatj.org/projects/probonosociety?doing_wp_cron=1483469812.2470519542694091796875">Access to Justice Commission's website</a> to learn more about this opportunity and to submit your certification. The deadline for submission is February 28, 2017. </p>
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<div align="center"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/bkofwk_digest-berry.jpg" width="250" height="83" alt=""/><h3>Book of the Week<br />
Ends Friday, January 6</h3></div>
<h3 style="color: #045394;">Wisconsin Judicial Benchbook Vol. V: Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health</h3>
<p><span class="black" style="color: #000"><a href="
http://marketplace.wisbar.org/Pages/Product.aspx?category=&cat=&pid=AK0029">Print Book</a>:<br />
List:<s> $149 member</s> / <s>$189 nonmember</s><br />
</span><span style="color: #E31B1B"> <span style="color: #E31B1B"><strong>Sale price: $119.20</strong></span><strong> member / $151.20 nonmember </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="black" style="color: #000"><a href="
http://marketplace.wisbar.org/Pages/Product.aspx?cat=WISBAR&pid=AE0029">Books UnBound</a>:<br />
List:<s> $159 member</s> / <s>$199 nonmember</s><br />
</span><span style="color: #E31B1B"> <span style="color: #E31B1B"><strong>Sale price: $127.20</strong></span><strong> member / $159.20 nonmember </strong></span></p>
<p>To redeem your discount, enter priority code <strong>B4822BB</strong> when ordering online or mention it when calling Customer Service (800) 728-7788.*</p>
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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 7px;"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/SecDiv_Connect_blueBG_175w.jpg" alt="" width="109" height="90" align="right"/>Division and Section Connection</h3>
<p style="margin-bottom: 7px;">If your practice involves contact with foreign clients and cultures to any degree, <em>Adventures in Ethics: International Deals, Politics, and Intrigue</em> will equip you with additional tools to be successful in advising clients engaged in international commerce.</p>
<ol>
<li>In 1505, this German law student decided to become a monk after nearly being killed in a severe thunderstorm. He later gained considerable fame as a theologian.
</li><li>This New York City lawyer became the star announcer of Monday Night Football in 1970, a position he left after the 1983 season.
</li><li>In 1814, this 35-year-old Georgetown lawyer wrote a poem that was later set to the English tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.”
</li><li>This lawyer portrayed the angel Gorgan on the Star Trek episode “And the Children Shall Lead.” Fans have rated the show as one of the worst Star Trek episodes ever. </li></ol>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 3px;">See answers below.</p>
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<h3 style="color: #045394; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img src="
http://images.wisbar.org/Images/DigestEmails/Jellybean_Birthday_125w.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="149" align="right"/>Cowabunga! Is January Your Birthday Month?</h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px;">If it is, Happy Birthday from the State Bar of Wisconsin! In recognition of your special day, the State Bar is pleased to offer you a special 20% discount toward the purchase of State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">®</sup> products through January 31, 2017. </p>
<p>This discount can be used on the purchase of any (or all) of the following PINNACLE products:</p>
<ul><li>Print books
</li>
<li>Books UnBound<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; ">®</sup>
</li><li>Forms libraries (individual new subscriptions only)
</li><li>Consumer pamphlets (print or electronic versions)
</li><li>Consumer Handbooks
</li><li>Client Education DVDs and Booklets
</li><li>Staff Training DVDs and Booklets
</li><li>Seminars Materials and CDs</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;"><strong>Brain Strain answers:</strong>1. Martin Luther, 2. Howard Cosell, 3. Francis Scott Key, 4. Melvin Belii - <strong>Brain Strain source</strong>: THE USE OF TRIVIA AS A TOOL TO ENHANCE THE TEACHING OF LEGAL RESEARCH BY MARK W. PODVIA Mark W. Podvia is Associate Law Librarian and Archivist Emeritus at The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University in Carlisle, Pa. </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;"> *This offer is not available with any other discount and expires January 6, 2017. Discount cannot be applied to previous purchases, or used for renewals of subscriptions, auto-supplementation subscriptions, or Books UnBound full library subscriptions.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8pt;">MKT433E </span></p>
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