Solo & Small Firm Section changes name and rolls out all new tech show.

Big changes are happening within the Bar's Solo & Small Firm Section: a new name, logo, and website URL; an expanded committee structure with statewide leadership opportunities; and a revamped technology conference.

The name change from General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section to Solo & Small Firm Section reflects a trend in voluntary bar and ABA sections called "solo and small firm," according to Chair Jennifer A. Dietz of Tampa, but the section will continue its mission to provide services and information to benefit solos, small firms, and general practitioners.

"Solo practitioners and small firm attorneys provide vital legal representation to individuals and businesses in our communities in almost every substantive area of the law, and the importance of these lawyers to our profession and society should not be underestimated," Dietz said. "Membership in the Solo & Small Firm Section provides the resources to grow your law firm and to accomplish your goals by providing what you want most: networking, education, and practice and skills development."

The Wave

The 2017 Florida Bar Tech Show: Riding the Technology Wave will be presented by the Solo & Small Firm Section January 27-28, 2017, in Orlando.

The all-new Tech Show is a two-track conference featuring nationally recognized legal technology experts who demystify tech purchases and explain simple ways that lawyers can use technology to strengthen their practices and free up more time to practice law.

The Friday schedule starts with two plenary panels--one that includes members of the judiciary and another that features general counsels of the nation's leading online legal platforms. Friday afternoon offers two tracks: one with hands-on learning directives for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and another on efficiently running a solo or small firm, including information on cybersecurity and privacy for lawyers. There also is a bonus course on marketing.

Saturday's practice management "Wipe Out" panel features representatives from the nation's top practice management software companies, allowing attendees to evaluate components of existing time and billing systems, identify areas for improvement or replacement, and implement changes that improve time and billing management and bring in more money. The final presentation is the "Lightning...