Professionalism Page

• Publication year: 2011
• Pages: 0066
• Citation: Vol. 16 No. 5 Pg. 0066

Professionalism Page No. Vol. 16 No. 5 Pg. 66 Georgia Bar Journal February, 2011

Law Practice 2010 and Beyond:

Challenges and Opportunities

by Avarita L. Hanson and Aimee L. Pickett

The 2010 Convocation on Professionalism, held at the Bar Center on Nov. 30, addressed the theme, Law Practice 2010 and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities. This program covered important issues facing the profession including increased competition, fee structure changes, inter-generational practice, the economic climate for lawyering today and tomorrow, the use and ethics of technology and future trends for the practice of law.

With this Convocation, the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism (the Commission) revived its tradition of engaging the bench and bar in timely and important professionalism issues with discussion led by national and local experts. Participants had the opportunity to suggest activities and programs that the State Bar of Georgia, the Commission, courts and other entities could consider to meet current and future needs and concerns.

The State of the Profession-Nationally and in Georgia

Justice Robert Benham moderated the first session on the state of the profession with panelists Linda Klein,

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, current chair of the ABA House of Delegates; and State Bar President Lester Tate.

Klein touched on such issues as the trend toward unbundling legal services and other non traditional arrangements, the increase in inhouse counsel, the need for alternative legal business structures and increased competition within the United States from foreign law firms. She also stated that diversity is "good for business" but it has been better achieved by clients in their in-house departments than in law firms. Klein concluded that law firms know there is a need to change their current strategy, but they may not be doing what needs to be done and that there is a lot of opportunity for improvement.

Tate commented on the state of the legal profession in Georgia. He identified a Georgia trend toward increased accountability within the profession given the instantaneous nature of information. He also touched on technology and the advantages it presents, such as the opportunity for greater independence, noting that the challenge is to maintain perspective. He cautioned lawyers to not let technology distract them from the true purpose of legal practice-service. Tate said that the changed nature of judicial power, coupled with the decline in trial lawyers, presents both challenges and opportunities for peaceful and equitable dispute resolution.

Generations of Lawyers: New Opportunities for Practice and Mentoring

With four generations of lawyers now practicing law...