Two-and-a-half years ago, I concluded a post with this bluster: “Listen, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and all the other companies collecting vast volumes of our data through intelligent agents, apps and social networking sites, you must afford us a ready means to see and repatriate our data. It’s not enough to let us grab snatches via an unwieldy […]
via Cloud Takeouts: Can I Get That to Go? — Ball in your Court
Are you an eFiling expert? Even so, it never hurts to refresh your memory on the
“best of” eFiling tips. Here are some from our friends at Smokeball, purveyors of law practice management software:
Use a separate and distinct eFiling email address
This ensures that important court notices won’t get buried in your unread work or personal messages.
Check your spam and junk email folders
Court mail lands here more often than you might think.
Whitelist important senders
While not full proof, this step at least offers some assurance that messages are more likely to make it to your inbox. Learn more here.
Check the online court docket
This is a simple and effective way to verify that you’ve captured important court deadlines in your calendar.
Don’t wait until the last-minute
Last-minute filings are more likely to go wrong than right. Give yourself a cushion of time to do the job right – and recover from any mistakes.
Sound familiar? I’ve made these same points many times here, in CLEs, and elsewhere. See Nuts and Bolts of Oregon eCourt and Zero Tolerance for e-Filing Error.
If so, check out the “Oregon eFiling Checklist for First Time eFiler,” on the Professional Liability Fund website. From the homepage, select Practice Management > Forms > eCourt. For a thorough overview of eCourt malpractice traps, see my 2017 CLE.
Read the October issue of the Oregon State Bar Bulletin featuring “The Case for Oregon eService: An Underused Asset.” If you missed the Oregon eService CLE earlier this year, consider ordering the video or audio recording. Answers to frequently asked questions may be found here.
All Rights Reserved – 2018 – Beverly Michaelis
Don’t miss “Advanced Trust Accounting” this coming Wednesday, October 24.
Delve deeper into the more advanced issues of trust accounting, including how to safely manage wire and EFT transfers, proper handling of third-party and client payment plans, passing on credit card transaction fees, what to do with unclaimed funds, how to disburse settlement proceeds if your client is missing, and more. Don’t miss out. Register here before Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
This program will cover:
The ethics of getting paid
Using layaway plans, collecting “first and last month’s rent,” managing evergreen retainers and hybrid fee agreements, receiving third party payments, bartering legal services, accepting credit cards, handling ACH, EFT, and wire transfers.
Clients who can net interest
Establishing accounts, issuing 1099s, seeking a refund from the Oregon Law Foundation.
Duties of law firm members
Delivering funds to departing lawyers and other duties of law firm members.
Garnishments and liens
Garnishing the lawyer trust account and tackling lienholders.
Ethics potpourri
Processing eCourt payments, crowdfunding and IOLTA, handling checks payable to third parties, supplying a missing client’s endorsement, controlling multi-jurisdictional accounts, carrying unclaimed funds.
Fraud, scams, and theft
Banking online, protecting funds using 12 simple steps, restricting funds, and purchasing fraud prevention services.
Date/Time/Location
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Pacific Time. This is a live, online webinar.
Who Should Attend?
Lawyers, office administrators, legal staff, accounting staff – anyone interested in refreshing or advancing their knowledge of trust accounting, Oregon RPC 1.15, and related ethics opinions.
Group Discounts
Discounts available to firms who wish to register 5 or more attendees. Contact organizer to arrange a discount code before registering: beverly@oregonlawpracticemanagement.org.
Does the Program Include Written Materials?
Yes. Written materials will be distributed electronically to attendees.
Ask Questions/Live Polling
Questions are welcome during the live event. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in live, anonymous polling.
Register here or visit the Upcoming CLE page. Secure payment processing powered by Eventbrite. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Program materials included in the registration price. Registration fee: $25.
1.25 MCLE ethics credits approved (Oregon) – Program 6724*13.
Delve deeper into the more advanced issues of trust accounting, including how to safely manage wire and EFT transfers, proper handling of third-party and client payment plans, passing on credit card transaction fees, what to do with unclaimed funds, how to disburse settlement proceeds if your client is missing, and more.
To attend, select the image above or click on this link: Register for “Advanced Trust Accounting.”
This program will cover:
The ethics of getting paid
Using layaway plans, collecting “first and last month’s rent,” managing evergreen retainers and hybrid fee agreements, receiving third party payments, bartering legal services, accepting credit cards, handling ACH, EFT, and wire transfers.
Clients who can net interest
Establishing accounts, issuing 1099s, seeking a refund from the Oregon Law Foundation.
Duties of law firm members
Delivering funds to departing lawyers and other duties of law firm members.
Garnishments and liens
Garnishing the lawyer trust account and tackling lienholders.
Ethics potpourri
Processing eCourt payments, crowdfunding and IOLTA, handling checks payable to third parties, supplying a missing client’s endorsement, controlling multi-jurisdictional accounts, carrying unclaimed funds.
Fraud, scams, and theft
Banking online, protecting funds using 12 simple steps, restricting funds, and purchasing fraud prevention services.
Don’t forget: Trust Accounting Fundamentals
September 26, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
From managing bank charges and avoiding impermissible cushions to reporting overdrafts and addressing client fee disputes – this program will provide a fundamental understanding of how to operate your lawyer trust account. Topics include: the duty to protect property and funds; establishing an IOLTA account; IOLTA participation, confidentiality and reporting; fundamental concepts; and ethical recordkeeping. Learn more here. Register now at Eventbrite.
Answers to FAQs – Advanced Trust Accounting
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Pacific Time. This is a live, online webinar.
Lawyers, office administrators, legal staff, accounting staff – anyone interested in refreshing or advancing their knowledge of trust accounting, Oregon RPC 1.15, and related ethics opinions.
Discounts available to firms who wish to register 5 or more attendees. Contact organizer to arrange a discount code before registering: beverly@oregonlawpracticemanagement.org.
Yes. Written materials will be distributed electronically to attendees.
Questions are welcome during the live event. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in live, anonymous polling.
$25 – Visit the Upcoming CLE page or click on the image above. Secure payment processing powered by Eventbrite. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Program materials included in the registration price.
From managing bank charges and avoiding impermissible cushions to reporting overdrafts and addressing client fee disputes – this program will provide a fundamental understanding of how to operate your lawyer trust account.
$25 – Visit the Upcoming CLE page or click on the image above. Secure payment processing powered by Eventbrite. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Program materials included in the registration price.
Date/Time/Location
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time. This is a live, online webinar.
MCLE Credits
1.5 ethics MCLE credits pending (Oregon).
Who Should Attend?
Lawyers, office administrators, legal staff, accounting staff – anyone interested in refreshing or improving their knowledge of trust accounting, Oregon RPC 1.15, and related ethics opinions.
Group Discounts
Discounts available to firms who wish to register 5 or more attendees. Contact organizer to arrange a discount code before registering: beverly@oregonlawpracticemanagement.org.
Does the Program Include Written Materials?
Yes. Written materials will be distributed electronically to attendees.
Are questions welcome?
Absolutely. Questions may be submitted any time during the live event or afterward via email. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in live, anonymous polling.
