Solo-Small Firm Section | Colorado W.O.L.F.

This webpage is specially dedicated as a free Resource for all Colorado Bar Association Solo-Small Firm Section Owners & Attorneys

The Solo-Small Firm Executive Council is excited to join with networking partner Colorado W.O.L.F. to create this page for the SSF Practice Section

SSF Section Mission

As Solo-Small Firm Attorneys make up approximately one-third of all lawyers practicing in Colorado, the CBA’s Solo-Small Firm Section recognizes its vital role in offering programs and solutions focused specifically on the unique needs and hurdles faced by solos and small firms.

Entrepreneurs at Heart

Because Solo-Small Firm attorneys are entrepreneurs at heart, the Section emphasizes pragmatic programs on the nuts and bolts of owning a solo or small firm practice while developing one’s own law practice and, for those attorneys working for small firms, how to best support the practice while achieving the most satisfying professional growth and success.

Collaborative Community

The Solo-Small Firm Section prides itself on fostering a mindset of collaboration within the community. Solo-Small Firm members are provided the advantages of the broader experience, knowledge and insight traditionally only thought available in larger firm environments by engaging in a wide range of learning and discussion platforms supported by the Section – all without sacrificing the independence that draws Solo-Small Firm attorneys to solo and small firm practice.

SSF Member-Only Benefits

Resources and platforms provided by the Solo-Small Firm Section are Members-Only Benefits. If you would like to join the Solo-Small Firm Section, please contact our CBA Staff Liaison Ashley Staab. Dues renewals may be paid here. Financial assistance for SSF Section dues is also available and may be requested by emailing Executive Council Chair Rebecca Mastel.

Learning and Discussion Resources: Solo-Small Firm Community

Solo-Small Firm Email Community

Connect and communicate with other Solo-Small Firm Section members across Colorado at any time via the Community email platform. Members initiate and participate in discussions on specific practice questions, legal resources and trends, and recommendations for vendors, services, and product solutions. Questions? Email astaab@cobar.org.

Focused Continuing Legal Education

Continuing Legal Education on latest trends, topics and practice management tools.

Targeted CLEs include the annual Solo-Small Firm institute in June and MgmtHQ sessions presented by Affinity Consulting Group. Sign up for MgmtHQ here. Find additional section CLEs on the Solo-Small Firm webpage.

“The Practical Lawyer” Lunch & Learn Series

Upcoming how-to CLEs featuring:

Law Firm Entity Choice & Tax Consequences
Entity Organization Documents & Business Plans
Temporary Absence Checklists and Succession Planning
Financial Planning: Health Insurance, Health Care Accounts & Retirement Vehicles
Social Media for Solo-Small Firm Attorneys
In-depth six-part program on Raising Your Profile Through Presentations

Networking Events & Groups

Events currently offered for 2021 remain virtual gatherings, including the annual Solo-Small Firm institute in June. Have suggestions for additional events? The SSF Executive Council would love to hear your ideas. Please email our CBA Solo-Small Firm Liaison Ashley Staab.

Member & Leadership Participation

Executive Council, Committees – Solo-Small Firm members are welcome to attend quarterly Executive Council meetings and participate in Committees. Meetings are held virtually until CBA offices reopen (video and call-in access information will be posted prior to the meeting here).

Annual Executive Council Officer and Member elections provide Members additional leadership opportunities.

Current Council initiatives include:

developing mentoring circles in partnership with CAMP (Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program) and LawBank
promoting diversity and Solo/Small Firm Attorney participation in judicial appointments
CLE partnerships with Colorado W.O.L.F., and increasing diversity engagement within the Solo/Small Firm Section and Executive Council

Scheduled SSF Executive Council meetings:

Wednesday, January 27th at noon
Wednesday, March 24th at noon
Wednesday, June 16th at noon

SOLO IN COLO: Solo-Small Firm Section Blog

Visit the Solo-Small Firm Section blog at SOLO IN COLO. Section members’ blog contributions is one of the ways Solo-Small Firm attorneys can raise their profiles within the Solo-Small Firm community. For more information, contact Digital Communications Representative Taylor Carillo.

Solo-Small Firm Referral Opportunities

The Solo-Small Firm Email Community is the interactive platform for the SSF Section’s referral network. Members accessing the daily Solo-Small Firm Community email feed have immediate opportunities to respond to other Members’ call for referring out legal matters.

Solo-Small Firm Referral List – SSF members also have access to the Section’s Google doc that lists those SSF attorneys willing to take referrals and their practice areas. Click here to view the Google doc and add your firm and practice areas to the list.

SSF Executive Council & Committee Contacts

Please feel free to reach out to any Executive Council member with your questions or comments regarding the Solo-Small Firm Section, Section programming, or issues facing you as a solo or small firm attorney.

2020-2021 Executive Council – Officers (1-year terms)

Chair – Rebecca Mastel

Chair Elect – Craig Stoner

Secretary – Ben Norton

Treasurer – Richard Lionberger

Committee Chairs (varied terms)

Board of Governors Representative (2 years) – Dave Sprecace

CLE Committee Liaison (2 years) – Barb Heikoff

Communications (2 years) – Justie Nichol

Digital Communications (incl. SOLOinCOLO blog; 2 yearrs) – Taylor Carillo

Legislative Policy Committee Liaison (2 years) – Carl Miller

Young Lawyers Division Representative (1 year) – Tim Galluzzi

At-Large Members (2 years)

Amy Symons

Ashley Whitham

Jamie Schuler

Josh Bugos

CBA Staff Liaison for Solo Small/Firm – Ashley Staab

Immediate Past Chair, SSF Executive Council – Tom Werge

Interested in Joining the Solo-Small Firm Section?

Resources and platforms provided by the Solo-Small Firm Section are Members-Only Benefits. If you would like to join the Solo-Small Firm Section, please contact our CBA Staff Liaison Ashley Staab. Annual dues renewal of $25 may be paid here. Financial assistance for SSF Section dues is available and may be requested by emailing Executive Council Chair Rebecca Mastel.

2021 - 2022 Executive Council Election Timeline

January 15, 2021 – Chair appoints Search Committee
March 25 – Deadline for Section members to volunteer or nominate others for positions.
March 25 – If only one Section member volunteers or has been nominated for each position, Search Committee will submit a slate of candidates to secretary.
April 1 – Secretary circulates slate to all Section members
April 15 – Deadline for petitioning Executive Council to include additional nominations on a ballot. Each petition requires at least 15 Section members’ signatures.
May 1 – If no additional nominations are received, slate of candidates is declared elected
May 10 – In the event of multiple volunteers or nominees for the same position, electronic ballots are issued
May 20 – Ballots due
May 31 – Results of vote shared with entire Solo/Small Firm Section
July 1 – 2021-2022 Executive Council takes office

Solo-Small Firm Referral/Contact List (Google doc)
Looking for other Solo-Small Firm Attorneys to refer matters to? Want to be on the SSF Referral List so others know your practice area and how to reach you?

Email Ashley Staab to receive the Google doc link for the SSF Referral/Contact list: astaab@cobar.org

Looking for Events for the Solo-Small Firm Section?
Scroll further down this webpage for current listings. Have an event for SSF attorneys you would like listed on this webpage? Email Chairwoman@COWOLF.org

Trusted Vendors: Legal Products and Services for Solo & Small Firms

Click here to be routed to Colorado W.O.L.F.’s hand-picked list of industry vendors that provide superior and reliable services to solo and small firm attorneys.

Calendar of Events: Solo-Small Firm Section

New Solo Lawyer Series

A free 4-part series designed for new solo and small firm lawyers with guidance on how to get their practices started. These 2-hour lunchtime sessions on Thursdays during January 2021 will cover a broad range of topics, including entity selection, trust accounting, marketing, malpractice insurance, office sharing arrangements, mentoring, networking, and technology.

Registration required. Participants may attend all or some of the sessions. Sponsored by: Solo-Small Firm Practice Section, Business Law Section, and Young Lawyers Division of the Colorado Bar Association.

To learn more about this series or register, click here.

Thursday, January 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Getting Started: Entity Selection and Trust Accounts
Thursday, January 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Next Steps for Your Firm: Marketing, Office Sharing and Malpractice Insurance
Thursday, January 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Resources for You and Your Firm: Mentoring, Networking and Mental Health
Thursday, January 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Technology for Your Firm: Billing, Research and More

SSF Executive Council Meetings - Open to All SSF Members

SAVE THE DATES! 2021 Solo/Small Firm Institute

The Practical Lawyer Lunch & Learn Series

2021 - 2022 Executive Council Elections Timeline

January 15, 2021 – Chair appoints Search Committee
March 25 – Deadline for Section members to volunteer or nominate others for positions.
March 25 – If only one Section member volunteers or has been nominated for each position, Search Committee will submit a slate of candidates to secretary.
April 1 – Secretary circulates slate to all Section members
April 15 – Deadline for petitioning Executive Council to include additional nominations on a ballot. Each petition requires at least 15 Section members’ signatures.
May 1 – If no additional nominations are received, slate of candidates is declared elected
May 10 – In the event of multiple volunteers or nominees for the same position, electronic ballots are issued
May 20 – Ballots due
May 31 – Results of vote shared with entire Solo/Small Firm Section
July 1 – 2021-2022 Executive Council takes office

Are you a member of the Colorado Bar Association, but not a member of the Solo-Small Firm (SSF) Section?

With payment of dues ($25/year), SSF Members receive access to all benefits, events and CLEs developed exclusively for the Section by the SSF Executive Council. Add your voice as the council continues to champion the unique interests and needs of Colorado solos and small firms.

Join the SSF Section Now