Product Description

Although being paid for what we do is critical to our survival in this profession, this matter is often overlooked as we manage our law practices. Poor billing practices can lead to trouble. Attorneys who are careless in this area risk financial difficulty, civil suits, and problems with the BBO. Knowing the rules regarding billing and having good habits and practices is critically important for all private attorneys. 

This program addresses how to maximize our chances of being paid for what we do while complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct and avoiding client litigation.

Agenda & Materials

• Welcome and Introduction

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  Amy M. Karp, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services , Boston
  Wendy Wolf, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Youth Advocacy Division , Boston
  
• 9:10 am - 9:30 am

  Chief Justice Nechtem Remarks

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• 11:00 am - 11:10 am

  Requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am

  “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 11:10 am - 11:20 am

  Setting Expectations: Fee Agreements and Communications with Clients About Fees and Disbursements

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• 10:30 am - 11:30 am

  Listening to the Experts: Voices of the Clients

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 11:30 am - 11:45 am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:20 am - 11:30 am

  Retainers: Getting Them and Managing Them

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 11:45 am - 1:15pm

  Workshops (choose one)

  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 11:30 am - 11:40 am

  Contingency Fee Agreements

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• • What’s Happening With the 2018 Crime Bill (Lower Level)

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  Since it took effect almost 18 months ago, various sections of the crime bill have drastically altered the way juvenile delinquency is dealt with in the courts. This panel will address what exactly is happening across the state with regard to things like judicial diversion, Wallace W., and expungement. For other issues, like the definition of delinquency and parental disqualification, we will also update participants about relevant proposed legislation. Participants will come away with concrete strategies for putting the bill into practice.

  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• • Motivational Interviewing (Upper Level)

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  Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a directive, client centered interactive communication style designed to identify, explore and resolve ambivalence which facilitates positive behavior change. In this interactive, hands on workshop, participants will be exposed to the origins of MI, the change process and will practice micro skills of MI which will make it more likely that others will listen, be engaged and be ready to make changes.
• • Children in the Courtroom and on the Stand CHILD WELFARE (Auditorium)

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  A lively panel discussion among at least one former foster child, a judge, a social worker, and practitioners. The discussion will focus on how to empower children, youth, and young adults involved in child welfare matters by bringing them into court to participate and to testify at evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings, and trials. Panelists will discuss the law around the child’s right to participate and give evidence in their case, bringing the child into court, talking with them about attending, and preparing them. Panelists will discuss practical considerations and outline the law on accommodations and due process requirements. We will hear from a former foster child about how very important it was for them to come to court, to have their voice heard, and to hear about how decisions were made that significantly affected their life. The panel will address how the youth voice can be the most important in the courtroom, how it can help shape the case, and how to provide accommodations and support to the client both in court and afterward. We will hear specific instances of how it worked, and how it could be done better.
• 11:40 am - 11:50 am

  Good Billing Habits

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• 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm

  Lunch (on your own)

  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

  Workshops (choose one)
• 11:50 am - 12:00 pm

  Pursuing Clients for Unpaid Fees

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• 11:50 am - 12:00 pm

  Pursuing Clients for Unpaid Fees

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  David Burgess, Esq., Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP , Needham Heights
  
• • Pathway to Speedy Reunification (Lower Level)

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  In the past year, the Juvenile Court has begun to roll out its new Pathways initiative around the state. One of Pathways’ goals is that “children who can safety return home will do so sooner, thus reducing their trauma[.]” Judge Carol Shaw, who first implemented Pathways as a pilot project in Springfield, will provide an overview of the initiative and its goals. Presenters will then discuss how Pathways, along with some new initiatives at DCF, can be used to achieve earlier reunification of families. The presenters will discuss how the court, DCF, and attorneys for parents and children can promote early reunification through active engagement with families, safety planning, and provision of services and supports. We will provide tips for engaging families and ensuring their voices are heard in the decision making process.
• • Navigating Social Media in Child Welfare and Delinquency Cases (Auditorium)

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  Have you ever struggled to get facts into evidence that are already all over facebook? Ever been confronted in the courtroom with a printout of your client's confession on what they thought was a private snapchat account? Or have you ever spent a fruitless hour googling your client in a desperate attempt to make contact? If so, this panel is for you! You will learn about legal standards and techniques for admitting and defending against social media evidence in delinquency and C&P cases, as well as some tips for informal discovery and out of court uses of social media.
• • Being Heard (Upper Level)

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  Being Heard: Delinquency/Youthful Offender cases are focused on youth yet we rarely hear from our clients or young people who are effected. Can we change the narrative and protect those that come before the court? This workshop will have you think about ways you can give power to young people in the court and think about ways you help young people have their voice heard.
• 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 4:15 pm - 4:45 pm

  Fairness and Due Process: Engaging Children and Families

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• 4:45 pm

  Reception

Chair