SoloNet--Problems & questions answered
When solo and small firm practitioners have a problem or a question about law practice management, about office procedures or about a need for a particular form, the Bar’s SoloNet listserve is the perfect way to get help. This computer list is open only to solo and small firm practitioners, and you may subscribe or unsubscribe at any time. To subscribe to SoloNet, click here.  There is NO CHARGE to being a part of SoloNet.

Solutions for operating your practice
Managing your practice means knowing about the latest in technologies, office automation and building your law practice. You can obtain these tools for your office through the Bar’s Law Practice Management Resource Center. The Bar has more than 200 volumes of available books, manuals, videos and articles to loan at NO CHARGE.

Forms, letters and other useful information
Designed to assist the solo and small firm practitioner in making his or her law practice more profitable, the Client Relations Handbook also helps to avoid Bar complaints or malpractice lawsuits. Many useful forms and letters are available for download. Contents include:  Office Telephone Procedures, Client Intake, Engagement and Non-engagement Forms and Letters, Fee Arrangements, Billing Forms, Sample Legal Fee Contracts, File Retention, Common Areas of Client Complaints and MS Statute of Limitations Index. This handbook is offered at NO CHARGE to Bar members. Funding was provided by American National Lawyers Insurance Reciprocal. 

Lawyer/client relationships
A client may have communication problems or other matters that do not rise to the level of ethical complaint. The Bar’s Consumer Assistance Program is designed to assist consumers and attorneys with problems that may arise during the lawyer/client relationship. It attempts to resolve or informally mediate the situation to the satisfaction of the client and/or the attorney.

Consulting services
REDUCED RATES have been arranged for the independent law office consulting services of Jerry Schwartz of Legal Management Services. He can assist you in areas of financial analysis, strategic planning and marketing.

Economic information
Need information on lawyer income? Hours worked? Pay for new lawyers? The Bar’s Economic and Technology Survey is conducted every other year and provides a wealth of useful economic data for Mississippi practitioners. Download a copy of the latest survey here at NO CHARGE. 

A practical guide - the "basics"
What form should my business be? Where should I set up shop? How do I organize my work? How do I collect my fees? You’ll find these "nuts and bolts" answers in the Young Lawyers Division’s Solo and Small Firm Practitioner Handbook.  Download it now at NO CHARGE.

Internet
Designed for all attorneys and the general public, the Bar’s website at www.msbar.org is of particular interest to the solo and small firm practitioner in that you can locate Member Benefits, Ethics Opinions, CLE Calendar, Supreme Court Opinions, lawyers’ addresses and the Bar’s publications. This site is available to serve you 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Identifying needs and being heard
Solo and small firm practitioners throughout the state can assist in identifying the special needs of solo and small firm practitioners in Mississippi. The Bar’s Solo and Small Firm Committee is open to any lawyer in a firm of five lawyers or less.

Electronic research
Solo and small firms can obtain access to electronic research through LEXIS-NEXIS. LOW MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTIONS and usage costs are available. To learn more, click here.

Technology CLE
Keeping up with your and your firm’s needs on technology in today’s office can be an arduous task. Through the Bar’s Annual Technology Seminar with exhibitors and knowledgeable speakers, solo and small firm practitioners are able to keep abreast of technological changes. These annual seminars are provided at a REASONABLE COST and are directed toward the solo and small firm practitioner.  To request more information, email rgarner@msbar.org or check out our schedule of CLE events.

Professional liability insurance
The Bar's Insurance Committee works to serve the solo and small firm practitioner as well as the entire membership to make available continuous professional liability coverage at the lowest possible cost and highest quality. The Bar has endorsed Fox-Everett to provide professional liability insurance to better help you in your practice.  To learn more, click here.

Guides for trust funds
Specific guidelines for lawyer trust funds, as well as sample record keeping documents, can be found for the solo and small firm practitioner in the Bar’s Lawyer Trust Funds Guidelines Handbook, which is available for free download.

CLE close to home
Providing quality CLE at a REASONABLE COST without having to drive more than an hour or so is the goal of the Bar’s CLE on the Road semianrs. Each year the Bar hosts three regional Bar Meetings/Seminars.  To request more information about CLE on the Road, email rgarner@msbar.org or check out our schedule of current CLE events.

Selling your law firm
The Bar petitioned to the Mississippi Supreme Court to amend the Rules of Professional Conduct to allow a solo practitioner to sell his/her law practice. As amended, Rule 1.17 MRPC provides a procedure for a solo to close and/or sell his/her law practice.  View the MS Rules of Professional Conduct.

Overnight delivery
Reliable overnight delivery with SAVINGS can be a part of your office through Airborne Express. By leveraging the buying power of the Bar, solo and small firm practitioners can save on express shipping costs.  To learn more, click here.

Balancing law and life
Are you managing and balancing your personal and professional life in a healthy way? Do you want to reduce stress in your life? Do you want to find balance between law practice and your life? Do you want to enjoy both? The Mississippi bar is here to offer solutions for solo and small firm practitioners for stress reduction, lawyer dissatisfaction, balance and career reflection.  To learn more about the Law and Life program, email bdaugherty@msbar.org or visit our Lawyer's and Judges' Assistance Program online.

A chance to be heard
Each year, in conjunction with the CLE on the Road seminars, the officers of the Bar hit the road to visit with lawyers in their communities. In this way, the Bar can hear first-hand what you need and expect from The Mississippi Bar. Over 70 counties in Mississippi have been visited by the Bar officers.  To request more information about visits in your area, contact rgarner@msbar.org.

Professionalism in your practice
Learning about professionalism in your practice, with your clients and in the legal system can be at your fingertips when you have the Bar’s Professionalism Handbook in your office. This 56-page handbook is available as a free download. This is a book your law office should not be without. To request a hard copy of the book, email kdobbins@msbar.org.