State Bar Of Michigan: On Balance Podcast

If a crisis has affected you or someone you know in the legal community, the State Bar of Michigan wants to help! Their newly implemented SOLACE Program offers support in the event of a catastrophic illness, accident, or event; and this help is available to all legal professionals and law students in Michigan. On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns welcome Bruce Courtade and Rob Mathis to discuss how this program operates and how Michigan's legal community can learn more and get involved in the SOLACE network. Bruce Courtade is an attorney at Rhoades McKee and a former president of the State Bar of Michigan.  Robert Mathis is the pro bono service counsel for the State Bar of Michigan.

What do we mean when we talk about web presence, and how exactly can your law firm get it? Hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome legal marketing pro Gyi Tsakalakis to chat about what digital marketing looks like in the current legal landscape. They discuss effective ways to invest in your online presence, how to measure your success, and whether an in-house marketing team or a marketing consultant is right for your firm's needs. And, after their aerial view, Gyi closes in on some of the specifics of Google marketing and shares why he recommends Wordpress for developing your firm's website.  Gyi Tsakalakis is founder of AttorneySync, and as a non-practicing lawyer, he understands the unique considerations of ethically and effectively marketing a law practice online.  

The recent National Judicial Stress and Resiliency Survey offered insights into the overall well-being of judges and the strategies they use to handle stressors in their work. On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway are joined by Joan Bibelhausen and Judge David Shaheed, who recently co-authored an article on the survey's results. They share how and why the survey was created, its findings on mental health and coping mechanisms, and what they recommend for stakeholders to help support judges in their roles.  Joan Bibelhausen has served as Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers since 2005. Judge David Shaheed's legal career spans more than 30 years, including 20 years as a judge in both criminal and civil courts.

To continue demystifying the attorney grievance and discipline process, On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Mark Armitage of Michigan's Attorney Discipline Board (ADB). Mark explains how complaints move from the Attorney Grievance Commission to the ADB, outlines the types of cases that often require disciplinary action, and clears up common misconceptions about the relationship between the ADB and the State Bar of Michigan. Mark Armitage is executive director and general counsel at the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.

When a complaint is filed against an attorney, what happens next? Will you be investigated? Do you need to lawyer up? On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and Joann Hathaway welcome Michael Goetz, Grievance Administrator for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, to help demystify attorney discipline processes in the state. Michael explains the steps involved after a complaint is received, highlighting the fact that most complaints are resolved without disciplinary action and detailing how the commission proceeds when investigation and discipline are necessary. Michael Goetz is Grievance Administrator for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.

March 8th is right around the corner—do you have your ABA TECHSHOW tickets? At this year's all-virtual conference, attendees will have access to more content than ever before. On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns welcome TECHSHOW co-chairs Roberta Tepper and Allan Mackenzie to discuss the educational and networking opportunities available to attendees, including a wide variety of CLE sessions. Before signing up, State Bar of Michigan members can contact JoAnn for a discount code to use on their ticket purchase. Roberta Tepper is the lawyer assistance programs director at the State Bar of Arizona and co-chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2021. Allan Mackenzie is a veteran of the legal technology world and co-chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2021.

JoAnn Hathaway welcomes brand new co-host Molly Ranns to the On Balance podcast. The new duo send their best wishes to veteran co-host Tish Vincent as she embarks on the new adventure of retirement! Jumping right in, JoAnn and Molly welcome new guest Alexis Robertson to talk about the connection between diversity and inclusion and overall wellbeing. Alexis shares insights on how properly prioritizing mental and physical health through mindfulness, self-compassion, and personal boundaries helps us naturally be more inclusive toward those around us. Alexis Robertson is the director of diversity & inclusion for Foley & Lardner LLP.

The legal profession has been evolving since its inception, but 2020 accelerated changes at a much more rapid pace. Because of shifts in the economy and the sudden need to offer legal services differently, the profession looks, and may look going forward, quite distinct from how it did just a year ago. On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent talk with legal industry analyst Ari Kaplan about the opportunities he sees for lawyers moving forward and ways to encourage community and networking in our socially distant world. Ari Kaplan is a lawyer, writer, analyst, and principal at Ari Kaplan Advisors.

Lawyers may be surprised to learn that publicly accessible websites may be all they need for a significant amount of their online legal research. There may be no need to pay for expensive legal research databases if you know where to look! The State Bar of Michigan's On Balance podcast hosts Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Carole Levitt and Judy Davis, authors of Internet Legal Research on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources for Lawyers, to learn more about their book and favorite budget-friendly resources. If you would like a copy of their book, go to linkon.in/ilrb20 and enter the discount code LGLRS20A for 20% off any time now through the end of 2020. Carole Levitt is president and founder of Internet For Lawyers. Judy K. Davis is a law librarian and adjunct assistant professor of law at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

On Balance hosts JoAnn and Tish welcome back David Ries for part 2 of their discussion regarding economical cybersecurity practices for legal professionals. In last month's episode, David stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity for your law firm. This time, David offers practical tips to help you move from the big picture down to the specific safeguards needed to protect essential technology (devices, networks, servers, and more) in use at your legal practice. David Ries is of counsel in the Pittsburgh, PA office of Clark Hill PLC, where he practices in the areas of environmental, technology, and data protection law and litigation.

Attorneys are ethically bound to protect their firms from cybersecurity threats, but many feel out of their depth when choosing security options and fear the involved expense. While cybersecurity is truly a necessary cost of doing business for lawyers, there are options out there that won't break the bank! On Balance podcast hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent talk with cybersecurity expert David Ries about current threats lawyers and law firms face and some common-sense, lower-cost options they can employ to protect their firm's sensitive data. David Ries is of counsel in the Pittsburgh, PA office of Clark Hill PLC, where he practices in the areas of environmental, technology, and data protection law and litigation.

New risks surfacing for attorneys as a result of the pandemic are generating an increased need to guard your law firm against malpractice. To help listeners get a handle on these new issues, hosts Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway welcome risk control expert Sean Ginty. Sean outlines the emerging problems in the profession and offers guidance on how to both protect your law firm and take the best care of your clients during the Covid era. Sean Ginty is the director of risk control at CNA Insurance.

In this time of stress and uncertainty, it is essential that we continue to examine and prioritize our own mental health. In this edition of the State Bar of Michigan's On Balance podcast, Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Molly Ranns and Katie Stanley about their tips for cultivating mindfulness and staying healthy in the midst of the pandemic. Molly Ranns is a clinical case manager for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program at the State Bar of Michigan. Katie Stanley is a staff attorney and fair housing education manager for Legal Services of Eastern Michigan.

How has the State Bar of Michigan been impacted by the public health crisis? JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent discuss the latest Bar updates with current president Dennis Barnes. He offers an overview of the Bar's work to address challenges presented by the pandemic, including practical solutions for the remote practice of law and efforts to promote the public's access to justice in these uncertain times. Dennis Barnes is a member of Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker, PLLC and president of the State Bar of Michigan.

LinkedIn helps lawyers increase their visibility and establish their expertise, but many aren't using it to its greatest potential. How can you be better by using it more effectively? Allison Shields joins Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway to discuss tips from the book she co-authored on this topic, Make LinkedIn Work for You: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Other Legal Professionals. Allison C. Shields, Esq. is the president of Legal Ease Consulting, Inc.

The Michigan Supreme Court recently ordered the state's trial courts to "limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to no more than 10 persons, including staff, and to practice social distancing and limit court activity to only essential functions." On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Tish Vincent talk with Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack about what this new order means for Michigan lawyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She urges lawyers to stay in touch with the State Bar of Michigan for the most up-to-date recommendations during this crisis. They also discuss the Michigan Supreme Court's order to replace mental health questions on the Michigan Bar Examination application. The change seeks to destigmatize mental health and encourage law students and new lawyers to seek mental health help when needed. Visit www.michbar.org to view COVID-19 FAQs and resources.

Though they may serve the common purpose of advising and advocating for their clients, lawyers are unique individuals with different approaches to the practice of law. As such, each lawyer's professional identity within the legal system will reflect the lived experiences and personal values they hold as individuals. But sometimes professional identity is not easy to define on your own! Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program director Ryann Peyton talks to hosts Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway about the program's model and how mentorship has positively affected Colorado attorneys at many stages of their careers.

Last time on the State Bar of Michigan's On Balance podcast, Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway talked with Barron Henley about new rules coming January 1, 2020 related to Michigan's adoption of the ethical duty of technology competence. Following up on that conversation, Barron offers insights on lawyers' ethical responsibilities for data security. He outlines various security measures lawyers should employ in their practice (encryption, password managers, VPNs, and more) and advises them to be upfront about security with their clients. Barron Henley is an attorney and a legal technologist with Affinity Consulting Group.

Michigan has now become the 37th state to adopt the ethical duty of technology competence, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020. What exactly does this mean for Michigan lawyers? Hosts Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Barron Henley to the State Bar of Michigan's On Balance podcast to explore the implications of these new rules and learn what core technologies and training firms need to ensure compliance. Barron Henley is an attorney and a legal technologist with Affinity Consulting Group.

Many legal professionals struggle with addiction issues, but while a great deal of attention gets put on the use of alcohol and drugs, addiction to gambling is often overlooked. To help shed some light on this important and frequently devastating issue, On Balance podcast hosts Tish Vincent and JoAnn Hathaway are joined by former attorney Jeff Wasserman, Judicial Outreach and Development Director for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems and a recovering gambling addict. Jeff shares a wealth of information, such as his own path from the beginning stages of his addiction in school, its career ending conclusion, and his new life in abstinence; the four factors that put lawyers and law students at particular risk; and the work he's doing now to help others, like his Skype-based support group, his podcast All In: The Addicted Gambler's Podcast, and his involvement with the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems. Jeff P. Wasserman works for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems as the Judicial Outreach and