Winter 2005

In This Issue

Member Profile: Marianne Lawhead President's Message: Kristi Smith A Look inside an ALAME Article: Gary Weitzel's Commentary on "Web Site Marketing: the Basics" Task Types: Free Spirit Use of Engagement Agreements to Reduce Malpractice Claims ALA National Resources: Management Encyclopedia, Client Satisfaction System, Job Bank ALA Antitrust Guide and Code of Professional Ethics Renew Your ALA and AALA Membership!! Say That Again? From the Editor

Member Profile: Marianne Lawhead 

"The office fits the personalities of the folks in the firm. It's quirky like we are," explains Marianne Lawhead as she guides me up the creaky staircase of the 19th century Victorian house her firm calls home. Lawhead, the Atlanta Office Administrator of Shea Stokes Carter, is not kidding. The house, complete with turrets, 12 fireplaces and oddly enough a pool, is as individual as the firm itself. Speaking with Lawhead in her office which boasts large, stained glass windows, crown molding and rich hardwood floors, she seems a modern day southern belle.

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President's Message: Kristi Smith

Well now, here we are at the end of another year. I must say that 2005 has all but flown by once again as they all seem to do now that I'm an adult and live vicariously by the clock and calendar trying to meet deadlines and squeezing something in to every second of the day. The beginning of a new year, a fresh start, is always a good time to reflect on the accomplishments and yes, the failures, of the past year.

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A Look inside an ALAME Article
Gary Weitzel's Commentary on "Web Site Marketing: the Basics"

Most Atlanta ALA members are familiar with the ALA publication ALA Management Encyclopedia (ALAME), an online resource found on ALA's portal. However, many members have not read the articles in this growing collection of issue-specific articles written by leaders in the legal management profession. To provide a look inside the quality articles in the ALAME, Gary Weitzel, ALAME's first editor-in-chief, provides commentary to industry expert Micah Buchdahl's article "Web Site Marketing: the Basics" released on October 25, 2005 in the ALA Management Encyclopedia, the online resource. Weitzel notes that Buchdahl writes a comprehensive, well organized and utilitarian article about the relationship of a modern law firm Web site to both marketing and communication; marketing to prospects and communicating with clients, members of the firm, and the public in general.

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Task Types: Free Spirit
By: Peter Metzner

Our last segment focused on Task types. In this, our final segment of the four core personality types we will look at the Free Spirit types. If we look again at each of your firms as a box, Leader types are the ones building the box, Task types are making sure each part of the box is formed to specifications, People types are making sure everyone in the box is getting along with each other and Free Spirits are thinking out of the box! Free Spirits are the ones looking for what's new, cutting edge and innovative. They are the natural change agents. While those more task oriented thrive on getting things done and done right, Free Spirits bring spontaneity, fun, adventure and big picture thinking. Guess which type(s) may feel threatened by this?

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Use of Engagement Agreements to Reduce Malpractice Claims
By: Thomas P. Sukowicz, Director of Lawyers' Risk Management Services, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP

Some malpractice claims are made against lawyers by persons the lawyers did not consider to be their clients, but who believed that the lawyer was representing them or looking out for their interests. Other claims are made because the clients believed that the lawyer was representing them in all claims pertaining to an injury or occurrence, when the lawyers only intended to represent the clients in certain specific claims. These and other claims may be avoided by the use of engagement agreements and non-engagement letters.

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ALA National Resources: Management Encyclopedia, Client Satisfaction System, Job Bank

Are you making the most of your ALA membership? There are tremendous resources available online from ALA National.

Learn more about the ALA Management Encyclopedia, Client Satisfaction System and Job Bank

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ALA Antitrust Guide and Code of Professional Ethics

ALA offers guidance in the areas of antitrust compliance and professional ethics.

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Renew Your ALA and AALA Membership!!

Don’t forget to renew your memberships for 2006. Returning full-year members can renew online through a secured access. Please follow the links below to renew each. If you have questions about renewing your AALA membership contact.

ALA National Membership Renewal:
http://www.alanet.org/home.html
Questions: (847) 267-1252

AALA Membership Renewal: http://www.atlanta-ala.org/
Questons: Joan Gingrich, Director of Membership at (404) 221-2273.

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Say That Again?

Most of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get their work done.

Peter F. Drucker

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From the Editor

Welcome to AALA’s 2005 Winter Newsletter! The Holiday rush and year-end close is in full swing, but I hope that you can find time to re-energize with some of our great educational offerings in this edition.

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Editor: Brian Gedeon (bhgedeon@duanemorris.com)

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