Skip to main content

LIVE WEB - Starting and Running Your Own Law Practice – Part 2

Presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section

Live Webcast
Thursday, February 25, 2021
12:00 – 3:30 p.m.


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours approved Professional Responsibility MCLE credit  in the following categories:
  • 2.50 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit
  • 0.50 hours Mental Health and Substance Abuse credit

Attend one or both programs in this series!
Expand your understanding of the issues associated with starting and running your
own law practice with this two-part virtual event program.


There are a number of reasons why you might be considering starting your own law firm – from a desire to have more freedom and independence to take the cases you want, to an unwanted downsizing with your current law firm. Regardless of the why behind your decision, it’s the how that’s most important. Join us for this two-part series that gives you all the information you need to ensure that your decision to branch out on your own will be successful. Topics covered in Part 2 of this two-part series include:
  • How to ethically market your new law practice;
  • How to maintain client relationships and develop referrals;
  • The law firm must-haves you need to hit the ground running;
  • How to successfully manage the demands of the profession (and the resources that are available if you or a colleague is in need); and
  • Much more!

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Ashanti Madlock Henderson, Madlock Henderson LLC, Chicago


12:00 – 12:15 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
Ashanti Madlock Henderson, Madlock Henderson LLC, Chicago

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Solo Practitioner Roundtable*
Don’t miss this interactive segment in which our speakers share their experiences as solo practitioners, including how they used the Internet to advertise, how they marketed their law practice, what it takes to maintain a firm website, how to develop referral sources, and how to maintain client relationships. Attendees are encouraged to use the chat box feature to ask questions.
Shira Truitt, The Truitt Law Firm, LLC, St. Louis
Dana Zivkovich , Friendly Lawyers Associates/Zivkovich Law Offices LLC, Glenwood

1:15 – 1:45 p.m. Collections*
Doing great legal work is only one part of running a successful law practice. This presentation offers you the best practice tips you need to protect your finances and collect the fees that you have earned.
Nathan B. Lollis, The Law Offices of Nathan Lollis, LLC, Chicago

1:45 – 2:00 p.m. Break

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. A Toolbox to Start Your Own Practice*
There is no need to reinvent the wheel when starting your own law firm. To ensure that you have some of the tools you need to hit the ground running, this segment offers you sample forms (contracts, petitions, engagement letter formats), costs/budget analysis and comparisons, contact information for important legal and business resources, and other law firm must-haves.
Juan Thomas, The Thomas Law Group, Chicago
Van-Lear P. Eckert, Law Office of Van-Lear P. Eckert, P.C., Belleville

3:00 – 3:30 p.m. The Lawyer Assistance Program*
It is no question that the practice of law can be challenging at times. Part 2 of this two-part series closes with a look at the various healthy and stable ways to manage the demands of the profession – and tells you where to turn if you or a colleague need help.
Karen Munoz, Dolan Law Offices, P.C., Chicago



For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

Pricing Information