‘Starting Solo’ webinar offered by ABA August 13

The American Bar Association will present the webinar on “Starting Solo: Making Confident Legal, Business, and Technology Decisions in Year One” Thursday, August 13, from 1 to 2 p.m.

 The first year of solo practice requires attorneys to make constant decisions—on client matters, business operations, and increasingly, the use of technology—without the infrastructure or internal guidance available in larger firms. At the same time, client expectations for efficiency, responsiveness, and modern legal service delivery continue to rise.

This program provides guidance for navigating these pressures with confidence. Attendees will learn how to evaluate legal, business, and technology-driven decisions in real-world scenarios while staying grounded in ethical obligations and sound risk management. The session will address common challenges faced by new solo practitioners, including setting client boundaries, balancing growth with quality, and determining when to adopt new tools or seek outside guidance.

Through practical examples, the program will also explore how modern attorneys can leverage AI and trusted legal resources to complete key tasks more efficiently, reduce risk, and bridge gaps in experience. Attendees will see how AI-driven workflows, access to verified legal content, and structured tools (such as checklists and guided resources) can support better decision-making—while highlighting the ethical considerations that must guide their use.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Evaluate legal, business, and technology-related decisions in solo practice

• Apply ethical rules to real-world first-year solo scenarios, including responsible AI usage

• Develop repeatable frameworks for making confident client and operational decisions

• Understand how AI and trusted legal resources can support legal work and reduce risk

• Identify when to adopt new tools, seek guidance, and continue professional development

• Implement practical risk management strategies to support sustainable growth

Cost for the webinar is $130.  To register, visit www.americanbar.org and click on “events.”

Summer Planning Meeting conducted by WBA Aug. 3

The Women’s Bar Association (WBA), Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, will conduct its Summer Planning Meeting on Monday, August 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Howard and Howard in Royal Oak.

During the gathering, WBA members will plan for the upcoming year.  Food and drinks will be provided. 

To register for the meeting, email WBA President Jacky August at jacquelineaugust@rocket.com.

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