50 Ways To Generate Leads With Social Media

Salesforce.com is a cloud based client relations manager.  They are in the business of helping sales people manage relationships to the end of increasing sales.  Sounds kind of like us lawyers managing our referral networks, huh?

Aldo Smith turned me on to an article over at the Salesforce blog that gives 50 simple tips for implementing social media.  Concepts such as building a network of strong ties, influencing connections for content sharing, utilizing social media monitoring, using social ads to generate leads, and search engine optimization are all discussed.  Written by Amanda Nelson, this article provides thoughts of food for thought regarding social media.  Please click here to read the original article.

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law 

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Making Connections With Your iPad

How many of you go to CLE programs?  How many of you are receiving the materials for the program on a memory stick?  How many of you are having problems reading those materials on your iPads?

I have found a solution.  iUSBport is an external device you connect to your iPad and it, in turn connects other external devices such as memory stick, DVD drives, etc., to your iPad.  Think of the old USB hubs.  iUSBport connects to any USB storage device (including USB hard drive, flash drive) and wirelessly makes the contents available on your iOS, Android or WiFi-enabled device. Instantly stream 3 different HD movies to 3 different devices or perform 2-way file transfer with up to 8 different devices. No Internet, computer or subscription required. iUSBport is pocket size and battery operated so you can carry it where ever you go. Free iOS/Android/web app. Any FTP/SMB/uPnP/DLNA app can also connect to iUSBport to perform 2-way data transfer.

I am still in the early stages of experimentation with this device, but so far I am impressed.  At $100 it doesn't break the bank.  I am thrilled with the ability to avoid running through iTunes to download memory stick files; but that is just the beginning of the potential for this device.

Please click here for more info.

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law 

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LinkedIn Endorsements

Endorsements on LinkedIn are becoming more popular for all kinds of reasons.  Some people love em, and some people hate em. But what are they, and what do they do for us?

Over at attorneyatwork.com Nancy Myrland gives us the something, something on endorsement.  As Nancy explains "your skills appear in your profile as short words or phrases that describe what you do.  They are then listed on your profile under 'Skills & Expertise" in order, with those skills most often endorsed listed first.  The basic intention is to add credibility and have others speak up on your behalf."  

Of course we get much more detail from Nancy.  The popularity of endorsements is increasing, so her article is well worth the time.  Please click here to read the entire article.

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law #Harding&AssociatesFamilyLaw

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Mobile Practice Management

We lawyers move around. More and more we are taking our offices with us in the form of laptop computers, and apps on tablets and smartphones.  Over at MyCase my friend Niki Black has done a bit of research.  We are clearly goin mobile!

Source: mycase.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law

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iPad For Litigators

Family law lawyers are litigators.  Think about it...  After prosecutors and public defenders, who is in court more than family law lawyers? No one.  For today's post that means we get to talk about a book written for litigators.

The ABA  has released the latest in its popular One Hour series:  iPad In One Hour For Litigators. 

Written by iPad superstar Tom Mighell,  this book will walk technology novices through:

• A New Case – Managing Details and Deadlines
• Discovery – Documents and Depositions
• Preparing for Trial with the Right Accessories
• Legal Research on your iPad
• Picking a Jury, iPad Style
• Evidence Presentation
• Tips for Using the iPad in Court – advice from lawyers who are using the iPad in the courtroom every day

Check it out by clicking here.

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law

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Support AB 251

Unfortunately court reports are becoming extinct in civil courtrooms.  Repairs are in order.  Below is a message I received regarding pending bill AB 251, that would help address the court reporter problem. Please give it consideration.

Dear Family Law Attorneys -

I’m writing to ask for your support of AB 251, a pending bill that I worked on through the BASF delegation to the Conference of Delegates.  This bill would amend the Government Code to permit electronic reporting in family law cases.  This is critical to preserve the right to appeal and other due process rights of parties who are unable to afford to pay for a private shorthand reporter.

While many agree that it is ideal to have a live court reporter in every courtroom, recently courts have begun removing reporters from civil courtrooms including family law, due to budget constraints.  In San Francisco, no reporters are provided for family law long cause hearings and trials.

The absence of court reporters has a disproportionate impact in family law, because the vast majority of family law litigants represent themselves without counsel, and would not always be aware of the need for a record, or how to hire a reporter.  Many family law litigants also are without the means to pay for a private reporter.  Added to this, family law often involves fundamental rights.  Trials involving termination of parental rights, requests for permanent restraining orders, custody, support, and property are routinely taking place with no record.  This creates difficulty preparing orders, ensuring accountability for the judiciary, and most importantly, preserving the right to appeal.  It is axiomatic that “there can be no equal justice where the kind of an appeal a man [or woman] enjoys depends on the amount of money he [or she] has.”  (Douglas v. People of the State of California (1963) 372 U.S. 353, 355.)
 AB 251 would make it an option and permit, but not mandate, family courts to use electronic reporting.  This will help to ensure that a record is created in every case, and due process rights are protected.

Here is a link to the bill:  http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_0251-0300/ab_251_bill_20130306_amended_asm_v98.html

 This bill is being opposed by the court reporters’ unions and other labor representatives.  This means that without strong support by those concerned with the due process rights of litigants and access to justice, the bill will likely not pass.  Please consider sending a letter to support AB 251.  Letters should be sent before the hearing date of April 9th.  A sample letter is below (if you’d like a Word version just e-mail me at MI@Sucherman-Insalaco.com).
Please forward this letter to anyone you believe would want to support AB 251.

Thank you for your consideration!

Michelene Insalaco

***************************************************************************************************

SAMPLE LETTER:

March 20, 2013

The Honorable Bob Wieckowski
Chair, Assembly Judiciary Committee
State Capitol, Room 4016
Sacramento, CA 94249-0025
Via email to: Heather.falkenthal@asm.ca.gov

                Re:         AB 251 (Wagner), as Amended
                                SUPPORT

Dear Assemblyman Wieckowski:

                I’m writing to urge you to support AB 251, which, as amended, would permit courts to use electronic reporting in family law to ensure that there is an official record of court proceedings.

                Due to budgetary restraints, many family law hearings and trials are taking place without any record at all.   Without a record there can be no meaningful appellate review, nor oversight of the family law judiciary.  This situation also complicates the preparation of written orders. 

                This situation has a special impact in family law because these cases routinely involve fundamental constitutional rights; the vast majority of family law litigants represent themselves without counsel; and a large proportion of family law litigants are indigent.

                To ensure equal access to justice, please support AB 251.

Sincerely,




cc:           Hon Donald P. Wagner, Author (Vance.jarrad@asm.ca.gov)
                Drew Liebert, Chief Counsel Assembly Judiciary Committee (Drew.liebert@asm.ca.gov)
                Larry Doyle, Legislative Representative, CCBA (Larry@larrydoylelaw.com)

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An Exceptional Lawyer Deserves An Exceptional Briefcase

I got my first briefcase in law school.  It was a proud moment. I still have it.  Black leather.  Sharp corners.  Brass hardware.  It was a treasured possession that made me feel like a lawyer before I was one.  I have had an obsession with briefcases ever since.  Canvas cases, synthetic cases, vinyl  cases, leather cases.  Black ones, brown ones, burgundy ones.  Briefcases, trial cases, attaches. Rolling bags.  Single handles bags. Double handle bags.  Briefcases, briefcases, briefcases...

Being a lawyer is quite an accomplishment.  There is nothing wrong with spoiling yourself once in a while because of your accomplishment.  For me that self reward is the briefcase.

Finally I believe I have found The Briefcase!  The Parma Messenger from Floto Imports.  This  Italian calf-skin that has been tumbled with a special cognac vegetable dye. The result is a soft, natural leather that will get better as it ages - each bag takes on a unique look and darkens like a saddle over time. It's leather tanning the natural way.  It features:
beauty is made with premium

• 12.5" h x 5 " w x 17.5 " long dimensions

• Floto Italian Parma Leather

• Thick Khaki Stitching 

• 3 Internal Compartments

• Internal Zip Compartment - 1"

• Inside Pen and Phone Holster 

• Large Zip Pocket on Back

• Stainless Steel Hardware

• Detachable Shoulder Strap - 42/46"

• Swiss Made RiRi Stainless Zippers 

• Weight 3.5 pounds

This case smells rich, feels rich, and looks rich. After a quarter century as a Lawyer I have earned a case like this, and I am proud to show it off.

Go ahead, splurge a little. Get yourself a new, rich briefcase.  You've earned it!

Please visit hardinglaw.com for more information about Harding & Associates Family Law

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