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  Capital Connection

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November 2014

Capital Connection is published monthly for members of the Capital Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators to provide information for the education and benefit of legal administrators, law office managers, managing partners of law firms, and other law related associations. Capital Connection is not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or tax counseling or advice through this publication.  The contents of all articles, letters, and advertisements published in Capital Connection should not be considered endorsements by the Capital Chapter of ALA nor the opinion expressed therein of any products advertised.   Contributing authors are requested and expected to disclose financial an/or professional interests and affiliations that may influence their writing position. Articles and materials accepted for publication are subject to editing by the editorial team and become property of the Capital Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. 

Editor: Paula Serratore; Cindy Conover   Contributing Editors: Joe Berger; Pheobe Boger-Smith; Qeyana Hart; Janice James; Tracy Morris; Jimmy Tringali; Kimberly Alford Rice; Melody Watson
Newsletter Designed By: Scoti Dodson


In this issue:
  • President's Message

  • New ALA Capital Chapter Members

  • In Memorium

  • Community Service Update

  • Spotlight: SunTrust Legal Specialty Group, Platinum Partner

  • Human Resources Conference

  • Spotlight: Legal E, Gold Partner

  • Partner Appreciation Event

  • Spotlight: Miller's Office Prodcuts, Gold Partner

  • Six Ways to Build Momentum in Your Practice

  • Small Firm Section Update
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President's Message

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At this time of the year we all wish there were more hours in the day and more days in the week! It’s particularly challenging to even think of taking a minute to catch our collective breaths.  But I will offer you one opportunity you shouldn’t miss: the Chapter’s Annual Meeting Holiday Lunch. What a great chance to spend time with your friends and colleagues, have a nice meal, and hear about the good things your chapter is doing, most notable of which is the Salvation Army Angel Tree and our N Street Village “Gifts for Mom’s” programs. Find out about these two programs in advance and come and enjoy a couple of hours away from the year-end madness. Oh, yes. If you’re a gambler and have been collecting your cards, you might be one of our many winners.

Like you, I am experiencing the same time crunch, so this is your letter for the month, your invitation, and my wishes to you for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Joe Berger

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New ALA Capital Chapter Members

Tiffany E. Montgomery
National Human Resources Manager
Vinson & Elkins LLP
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20037


Karen A. Gallagher
Office Manager
Banner & Witcoff
1100 13th Street NW
12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005


Donnie Wood, PHR
Regional Office Manager
Dechert, LLP
1900 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006



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In Memorium

The Chapter expresses its deepest condolences to the entire rand* construction corporation  family on the loss of their President Jon Couch. He was a longtime friend of the Chapter and will be greatly missed. The Chapter has donated $250 to the Alexandria Seaport Foundation in Jon's memory.

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Community Service Update: The Importance of Mentors in the Toni K. Allen Scholarship Program

By: Pheobe Boger-Smith

In my experience of being a mentor to our 2013 Toni K. Allen Scholarship recipient, it is very important.  Kyra Fuller is a very bright student with a bright future proven by her past and present goals.  Kyra and I talk very often thru text, which allows us to respond at first opportunity, and it allows us to share photos and a quick “I’m alright,” or “I want to hear your voice, I miss you.”  Kyra has her family and close friends, she has her professors and counselors at Spelman, but my role as her mentor is unique in her life and very different from the other relationships.  As Kyra’s mentor, I expose her to experiences that she doesn’t get from family or school.  For example, when she’s home on break, if there is a professional event going on that I am attending, I invite her and she appreciates the opportunity very much.  This past summer, there was a seat available at an event that I attended with the attorneys, and I was able to invite Kyra.  The event was in honor of the National Association of Women Judges with the keynote speaker being Eric Holder.  Kyra sat around a table with me and attorneys from my firm, along with a room filled with other professionals.  She was exposed to professionals in high-level positions, but the “Women Judges” were of a great interest.  That one event gave her so much encouragement!!  She was also very excited and looked forward to being invited back this year to meet the 2014 Scholarship recipient.  This was another encouraging event for her. I let Kyra know that not only am I behind her, but the entire ALA Capital Chapter is as well.  When I say that, her face lights up with a big beautiful smile.  That’s when I get my reward.  Keeping Kyra connected to our Chapter has proven to be exciting and worthwhile for her and that is very important to both of us.  The mentor is the voice of communication to the student for the Chapter, and vice-versa.  I am always pleased to spread the word to everyone about Kyra’s accomplishments, and she is honored to know that we care.  We too are responsible for their success!
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SunTrust Legal Specialty Group Spotlight

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SunTrust SummitView(SM) Integrates Two Financial Planning Powerhouses Into One Real-Time Planning 
SunTrust SummitViewSM is an industry-leading financial planning tool combining the advice-driven, goals-based platform of MoneyGuidePro with the innovative, technology-driven client capabilities of eMoney. This customizable online program allows clients to integrate financial information in one place with the ability to test scenarios that can impact their financial plans. With instant access to market data refreshed daily, clients and their advisors can use the tool to evaluate certain implications of market fluctuations, spending decisions and life events against their financial goals.

SunTrust SummitView gives consumers a broader, realistic view of their financial picture and shows where they stand today in relation to their financial well-being goals. Other distinctive features include a secure online vault where important documents such as wills, trusts and insurance policies can be stored, as well as a Confidence Zone meter showing whether the recommended strategy may meet individual financial goals.

SunTrust SummitView is available to consumers with $250,000 or more in investable assets working with SunTrust advisors.

For more information visit, https://www.suntrust.com/WealthManagement/WealthPlanningSolutions

About SunTrust Banks, Inc.
SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients.  As of June 30, 2014, SunTrust had total assets of $182.6 billion and total deposits of $133.3 billion.  Through its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, the company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels.  The company also serves clients in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services.  Through various subsidiaries the company provides mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, investment management, equipment leasing and investment banking services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com.

 

ALA Human Resources Conference

By: Qeyana Hart

I am honored to have been awarded The Edward P. Ross Education Scholarship this year. With this scholarship, I was able to attend the ALA Human Resources Conference in Las Vegas. This is the first year for the Human Resources Conference, and I was excited that I was able to be a part of its inception.

The sessions and speakers for the conference were phenomenal. The session I enjoyed the most was the “Boost Employee Morale: Creating a Workforce that Embraces Good Health” presented by Fran Dean Bishop. I found her presentation to be informative and eye opening. She gave us tools on how we as HR professionals can boost morale by adding exercise programs and nutrition to fit any budget. Another highlight from her session was when she took the attendees outside to keep us engaged and gave us ideas how to add these items as daily motivators.

During the conference, I volunteered as a session manager. This was a great ice breaker for me. I was able to meet many of the conference attendees from across the United States and even Brazil! I enjoyed sharing, participating and listening to everyone’s successful and not so successful tools that they have applied to their role as a HR professionals.

Now of course you cannot go to Las Vegas without having a little bit of fun. Another highlight from the conference was when the Capital Chapter conference attendees got together for dinner. We all shared our notes and highlights from the different sessions. Then after dinner we…well, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

I would like to thank The Edward P. Ross Education Scholarship committee members again for giving me with this award. I really enjoyed the conference (even with a sinus infection). The information I learned from this conference has not only helped me as a legal professional, but it has also helped to enhance the HR department at my firm.
 

Legal E Spotlight: Litigation Support - Choosing the Right Partner

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By Janice James

As most of us recall from the pre-digital age, law firm litigation departments managed the document review phase of discovery by collecting mounds of paper that was analyzed, paper-indexed and produced to adverse parties.  This production of documents was a labor-intensive, mostly manual process staffed by paralegals and junior attorneys.  Today, however, the majority of data collected and analyzed comes in the form of electronically stored information such as text messages and emails, and the process of analyzing and producing this data is largely done by contract attorneys.

As the legal profession has evolved into the digital age, the use of sophisticated technology has become a necessary tool in managing this wide swath of electronic data.  With that, a new lexicon of terminology has become the norm when referring to the management of this data.  The term e-Discovery is used to describe this “information gathering” phase of the litigation process.  Within the process, we now refer to the electronically stored information as ESI, and Technology Assisted Review (TAR) and predictive coding refer to the specific method used to review the documents.

Because the discovery phase of any litigation matter is often the most costly portion, the use of sophisticated technology has become a necessary tool in shrinking the volume of data that needs to be reviewed, thus reducing the cost of labor associated with the review.  Additionally, recent developments show that judges are endorsing the use of TAR as a more efficient method of analyzing and producing documents.

Since the recession, law firms have continued to reduce staff and very often do not have the manpower to manage the high-volume document review projects.  As a result of this trend, the use of document review contract attorneys has become the norm.  Many firms rely on litigation support vendors to assist them with part, if not all, of the process.  If you are the person tasked with managing the document review portion of your firm’s litigation case, you probably know there are numerous ways to accomplish this monumental and highly important task.  Deciding how to manage the review of the data does not have a one-size-fits-all solution.  Each case presents its own set of variables that are imperative to recognize.  A successful case often hinges on a thorough and well-executed discovery phase.

Once your legal team has decided how it wants to manage the data, identifying and partnering with experts who specialize in eDiscovery is critical.  Ideally, it is a good idea to meet with service providers during slower periods.  These meetings should include discussions about services, pricing, logistics and even a software demo.  Establishing a strong relationship with your service providers ensures a jump-into-action response from them when a need arises.  This advanced preparation enables you to provide a well-informed action plan when your firm takes on a new case and the partner needs quick answers.  As you prepare to talk to service providers, keep in mind that there are many options available, ranging from fully managed reviews where the services and costs are bundled, to more traditional reviews where services are purchased al la carte and pricing is itemized.  There are instances where a fully managed review is more appropriate for the case.  Conversely, working with the provider to devise a set of singular services that address the more specific needs of the project with a breakdown of costs, may be a better option.  As law firms build their litigation support departments, they are finding that having predictable budgetary control over the document review process can make each case a more profitable venture in the long run.  

Legal E Employment Partners has been providing quality traditional and eDiscovery contract attorneys to law firms and in-house legal departments for decades.  Legal E has a wide network of talented contractors that can successfully take on basic reviews as well as those requiring high-level expertise or foreign language skills.  Additionally, if housing the reviewers in your own space is not an option, Legal E can provide turn-key space in very close proximity to your office within 24 hours. 

While it is an exciting time to be involved in law firm technology, it is easy to get overwhelmed by multiple, and often conflicting, sources of information and advice.  As a trusted business partner, Legal E’s collective expertise can add assurance to your experience by providing valuable insights on the path forward as well as the appropriate level of resources required to get the job done successfully and efficiently.  

Since 2012, Legal E has consistently been recognized by Legal Times Readers as a top Litigation/Legal Staffing firm in the Washington Metropolitan Area.  We have helped fill thousands of legal professional positions with over 95% of our business coming from highly satisfied referrals.  Legal E’s mission has always been to maintain the highest degree of client satisfaction which is demonstrated daily throughout all our departments including litigation support. 

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For more information, please contact Janice James at [email protected] or call 202-319-1500.


As the Executive Director at Legal E Employment Partners, Janice James is responsible for managing the Contracts and Special Projects Division.  With over 30 years in the industry, Janice has a unique background of law firm human resources management and progressive legal staffing industry expertise.  As a former client of Legal E, Janice developed a distinctive appreciation for clients’ expectations as well as a consultative approach regarding staffing challenges -- from the conventional to the extraordinary.   Janice is an integral contributor to Legal E’s proven success and recent honors including, Best of Legal Times DC's Best Legal Staffing Service. 


 

Partner Appreciation - September 18, 2014

By: Tracy Morris, Vice President of Partner Advisory

The Carnegie Library was the venue for our 2014 Partner Appreciation event. The evening was set in a nightclub in the 1940’s which included music from the era by the RKO Orchestra. A highlight of the evening was the dance lessons by the swing dance couple. They got everyone dancing.

Attendees enjoyed great food and a specialty cocktail, the “Moscow Mule,” which was served in a copper mug, handmade for the occasion and also a gift for attendees. The night was filled with lots of fun and networking. Everyone enjoyed dressing up in 1940’s attire for the photo booth.  Cigarette girls were a big hit handing out candy popular in the ‘40’s.

Once again, we’d liked to say a special thanks to our Business Partners for all that they do to support the ALA Capital Chapter.
Click here to see Event Photos.
Click here to see photos from the photo booth.
 

Miller's Office Products Spotlight: Facilities Solutions

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By: Jimmy Tringali

November is a special time of year.  It’s the time of year that we set the clocks back.  It’s a time to give “Thanks” with family and friends.  It’s a time for sportsmen and sportswomen to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.  It’s also the unwelcome beginning of cold and flu season.

We, at Miller’s, see it as our duty to help firms thwart off the attack of cold and flu season.  We do so by promoting Healthy Workplace awareness and Office Wellness programs.  First, we must state the obvious… Germs are everywhere.  We are in constant contact with germs.  Education, protection and prevention are key drivers to a healthy workplace environment.

Per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Influenza viruses are thought to be spread mainly from person to person through droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk.  Flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with the virus on it then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.  People infected with the flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.  Through scientific studies, we have learned that there are germ hotspots in both the personal spaces (office workstations) and the common areas throughout an office environment.  Phone receivers, desktops, computer mouse/keyboards are some of the primary germ hotspots in personal spaces.  Door handles, elevator buttons, stair railings, and kitchen/break room areas are key places for germ transmission in common areas of a workplace.  It is important we take necessary actions to keep offices free of cold and flu viruses.

A combination of office wellness products, procedures, and policies are a must for the best outcome.  Here are some everyday preventive actions that promote a healthy workplace:

1.       Avoid close contact with sick people.

2.       While sick, limit your contact with others as much as possible.

3.       Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Germs spread this way.

4.       Practicing good hygiene is the key to preventing any spread of an infectious disease.

5.       Make sure your workplace has an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.

6.       Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the used tissue in the trash. (Do not recycle a used tissue.)

7.       Wash your hands often with soap and water.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  “Be Wise, Sanitize.”

8.       Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects (the germ hotspots mentioned above) that may be contaminated with germs.

Miller’s can be your needed ally in the fight against germs this cold and flu season.  We can help facilitate those ever-important steps towards implementing a healthy workplace regimen for your office.  A wellness program that teaches preventative hygiene habits and works diligently to reduce absenteeism will provide as close to a germ-free office setting as possible.


 

Six Ways to Build Momentum in Your Practice

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We have all ‘been there’ finding ourselves too busy with client work to breathe and then the rollercoaster heads downward and we’re searching for new projects. It can be challenging to devote any time to developing new work when your plate is already full. But, what happens when we’ve eaten what we’ve killed, proverbially speaking?

I work with law firm clients consistently who voice the same complaint: “I’m so busy, until I’m not.” This common thread began my wheels turning on how to stabilize the perennial ebbs and flows of business development and how, if at all, can lawyers take proactive steps to get and keep momentum in their practices.

At the outset, I will directly state that those who engage in random acts of marketing such as sporadically reaching out to their network; infrequently scheduling coffee/meal dates with top clients; and other high impact business development initiatives need to just stop it - - - now. It’s a waste of all your resources and, in the end, doesn’t reflect well on you as a business owner. Instead, I offer a better approach: development and maintain a balance approach by creating momentum to your business development efforts.  Read on to learn what you need to know.

Word of the day: momentum. Webster defines it as the tendency of an object to continue movement in a single direction. And, the speed of the movement increases in exact proportion with the degree of momentum. If the speed is very slow, there will not be much momentum, period.

When lawyers genuinely invest in building a prosperous practice, one of the quickest ways to get there is by focusing your time and energy on the concrete steps that matter most: delivering extraordinary service to existing clients (to sow the seeds for recurring assignments) and targeted relationship-building to develop new clients and referral sources.

By taking concrete action in a meaningful and purposeful way, you will generate a certain momentum which must be sustained to build traction with your business development efforts. The more you can ‘just do it’, the more and more momentum you will build, the more comfortable you will be with doing that activity or task, and the more productive and effective you will be – closer to reaching your end goals.

What we often see with clients if they may begin on a high note, commit themselves to one or two business development initiatives, then they really struggle with sustaining the momentum and follow through which is critical to building a prosperous practice.

In short, the momentum is stunted and whatever traction the client created is lost. Among the value that we bring to clients, guiding them along in the business development strategy and execution process and holding them accountability is highly rated, according to our client feedback.

Below are steps lawyers can take to create momentum in building a prosperous practice and sustain it over the long term:

1.    Plan for Success - Once and for all, stop the random acts of marketing that waste valuable resources and, most likely, ends up making you feel like you are failing. Develop a 6-month plan by writing down concrete action steps you will take on a weekly, if not daily, basis to meet your goals (sometimes, getting crystal clear on your goals is the first place to start).       Then, schedule these concrete action steps (such as reaching out to 2-3 referral sources every week for either a coffee date or lunch/dinner; draft a blog post twice month, etc.) in a calendar, whether that is paper or digital, do what works best for you. These should become “non-negotiable” commitments that you will honor and discipline yourself to take. Don’t be shy to reward yourself after each action that you take.

      By taking consistent, persistent action on a regular basis, you will create momentum; it’s not good just making an activity a ‘one-off’. One must take purposeful action regularly to build and sustain momentum to carry through to your goals. To make something happen routinely we need to be persistent. Persistence is what separates the men from the boys. Education is great, high intelligence is better, but, it takes a persistent approach to build momentum and build a business.

2.    Get Moving - Start reaching out according to your action steps. Begin researching blog topics. Research your LinkedIn connections for prospective introductions. Choose one action item that will contribute to one of your goals and take immediate action.  Get moving, today. This means no postponing, no delaying, no procrastinating, no excuses.

3.    Stay Focused - Remind yourself of your goals every day and stay focused on them. Post visual reminders on your mirrors at home, on your computer screen at work.  When you find yourself distracted by something that is not directly in line with your goals, ask yourself, "Why?" Identify how you will manage future distractions and look for ways to eliminate them.

4.    Stay Active - Do something every day that will bring you closer to your goals. It need not be big – it must be consistent and persistent. If too many days pass between actions, momentum will dwindle and eventually die.

5.    Avoid Paralysis by Analysis - Nothing slows momentum more than indecision. Decide as quickly as possible and then take some immediate action to support the decision - no matter how trivial it seems.

6.   Seek support - Many successful rainmakers say that you must have an insightful coach and trusted advisor to guide you along the way. Build a strong team of supporters to help you to get and stay focused and to support your desire to bring cohesion and build a strong momentum to your business-building vision. All things are possible, if you keep your eye on the goal.

Remember, my mantra - marketing success comes only through the consistent, persistent massive amounts of action over a prolonged period of time.  There are no magic bullets or  shortcuts to success!


Kimberly Alford Rice is Principal of KLA Marketing Associates (www.klamarketing.net), a business development advisory firm focusing on legal services. As a legal marketing authority, Kimberly helps women law lawyers develop practical business development and marketing strategies which lead directly to new clients and increased revenues. Additionally, Kimberly provides career management services to lawyers in transition.  She may be reached at 609.458.0415 or via email and Twitter.


Don't Forget To Vote!

Cast Your Vote by November 24th!
The nominating Committee (Colleen Brown, Adrienne Corrothers, Richard Gibson, Beth Jeffries and Beth L. Fowler, CLM President-Elect and Chair of the 2015 – 2016 Nominating Committee) present the following slate of officers for the 2015-2016 term of office. We are confident they will serve the Chapter well. We also ask for you to vote on approving the budget for 2015. Thank you for voting and shaping the future of the Chapter. Voting will close November 24th, 2014. Click here to vote.
 
 

Small Firm Section Update

How to plan for growth as a firm approaches a new lease.
By: Melody Watson

At the Small Firm Administrator’s meeting, on October 28, 2014, ALA Partner Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF)  discussed workplace trends, including how to plan for growth as firms approach a new lease and space management strategies throughout the lease term. In addition, they discussed leasing strategies to mitigate costs of renovating and ways to get landlords to pay for construction to current space, with or without a lease event.  Presenters were Sally Wilson, Executive Managing Director and Jennifer Ralph, Associate Director at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF).  Sally is an architect by trade and was a partner in an architecture firm until she made the jump to brokerage ten years ago. She has an expertise in strategic planning for law firms and sustainability. Jennifer has a background in finance. NGKF is one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Operating from more than 320 offices on five continents, NGKF serves the property needs of tenants, owners, investors and developers worldwide.  The presentation was great and very interactive.  We had a great level of participation.
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Administrative Committees

Communications and Media Relations
As members of the Newsletter and Media Relations Committee, Chapter members participate in producing the award-winning Capital Connection. Members gather to brainstorm new ideas for editorial themes for upcoming editions. The newsletter reports Chapter business activities such as Section and Committee news and provides information about upcoming educational and other events. It also includes articles of interest to members and other legal management personnel, collected, authored and/or edited by members of the committee. This committee also works with other legal associations and the media to ensure that ALA and the Capital Chapter are represented in the legal industry. The Newsletter Committee welcomes new members.

Contact: Jacqueline Moline, [email protected]; Paula Serratore, [email protected]
Salary Survey
The Salary Survey Committee is responsible for maintaining, updating and running the local survey each year. They review the positions listed, the job descriptions, and the benefits questions to ensure that the survey remains relevant to the end users. The members of the committee also promote the survey within the Chapter to stimulate participation. In addition, the committee is tasked with selling the license to the survey software to other chapters within ALA for use in their locales. They also provide technical support and logistical guidance to those chapters who purchase and utilize our survey software.

Contact: Dina Dalecki (Chair), [email protected]; Jeff Delcher (Co-Chair), [email protected]
Listserv: [email protected]

Educational Sections

Branch Office Administrators
The Branch Office Adminsitrators Section focuses on a broad range of topics of interest to local adminisraotrs who must coordinate with other officees of their firms. The Section's monthly luncheon meetings, held on the second Tuesday of the month, provide a venue for members to discuss issues of common interest, share ideas, and network. Members are encouraged to raise topics and to recommend speakers.

Contact: Richard Gibson (Chair), [email protected]; Wendy Iversen (Co-Chair), [email protected]
Listserv: [email protected]
Intellectual Property (IP)
The Intellectual Property (IP) Section focuses on all aspects of legal management as it pertains to the IP Administrator. The group discusses the complexity of the ever-changing IP environment and how to effectively create and apply IP specific, non-legal procedures in both boutique and general practice firms. The Section's monthly meetings, held the third Tuesday, are primarily lunch meetings and every third month is a dinner meeting. 

Contact: Kristine Miller (Chair), [email protected]; Dina Dalecki (Co-Chair), [email protected] 
Listserv: [email protected]
Human Resources
The Human Resources Section operates as a venue for educational information on global human resources topics and issues. While the Section comprises mostly HR professionals, any member is invited to participate. The Section meets the second Wednesday of every month and often has either industry speakers or roundtable discussions on topics such as recruiting, benefits, strategic planning, performance management, career pathing, retention and more!

Contact: Claudia Baragaño (Chair), [email protected]; Jane Schindler (Co-Chair), [email protected]
Listserv: [email protected]

Office Operations Management

The members of the Office Operations Management Section represent a cross section of legal expertise from functional administrators to branch office managers. The Office Operations Management Section (OOMS) meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month to discuss operation0related hot topics. We welcome all members to join the section, especially if you are an administrator in a small law office and you have to wear multiple hats. We can provide you with many best practices to run your operation smoothly.

Contact:  Gregory Fudge(Chair), [email protected]; Jeffrey Cole (Co-Chair), [email protected]

Listserv: [email protected]

Small Firm Management

The purpose of the Small Firm Management Section is to provide Administrators of law firms with 35 or fewer attorneys educational opportunities through vendor presentations, idea sharing and open forums specifically designed for those who work in smaller firms. The Small Firm Management SEction meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at host law firms.

Contact: Melody R. Watson (Chair), [email protected]; Emily Christianson (Co-Chair), [email protected]
Listserv: [email protected]

Technology
The Technology Section is looking for members to join the group for lively discussions about practical situations we all face daily in the information technology world. With ever-changing IT needs and issues, we will look at our firms' policies and procedures and help develop best practices and speak of the many concerns we all have. Even if you are not in the IT field,  your experiences and opinions will help us in bringing all departments of a law firm together and working on the same page.

Contact: Kenny Mitchell (Chair), [email protected]; Frank Schipani (Co-Chair), [email protected]
Listserv: [email protected]
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ALA Capital Chapter Headquarters
​
2800 Eisenhower Avenue
Suite 210
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 683-6101
www.alacapchap.org

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