CBA Record November-December 2024

accelerating technological developments in AI. While most of the information is no longer of practical value in retirement, it shows us what we are missing. If you not currently receiving Lexology emails, send a note to membership@chicagobar.org. Lawyers are Talking (Again) about Nonprofit Firms by Katherine Hanson, Program Director, Independent Practice Initiative and Staff Attorney, Law Offices of Chicago-Kent The nonprofit firm concept gained traction shortly after Con gress enacted Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in 2007. Around the same time, legal incubators had emerged seeking to subsidize recent graduates’ efforts to address the access to justice gap by launching their own practices in the low bono realm. The non profit firm naturally emerged from these independent develop ments, granting entrepreneurial and socially conscious lawyers a means to practice independently in the public interest and work to renew society’s faith in the justice system, all while benefit ing from PSLF and additional tax benefits. Incubators became a means through which attorneys might launch a nonprofit firm at a low cost. In 2021, numerous incubators reported that they had shut tered or were on the brink of closure – likely due to the loss of resources and contributors in the pandemic – and conversations on the nonprofit firm quieted. However, due to the student loan

crisis for many, a pandemic-inspired priority shift for some, and renewed interest in public service and workplace autonomy for others, incubators are making a comeback. The Chicago area hosts two main incubators that may address further inquiry on launching a nonprofit firm—and both are currently accepting applications. The Justice Entrepreneur’s Proj ect (https://jepchicago.community.lawyer) and the Independent Practice Initiative at Chicago-Kent College of Law (https://kent law.iit.edu/law/alumni/independent-practice-initiative) both empower lawyers to lead socially conscious law firms by offering legal training, business development, networking, mentorship, and research and management resources. I liked Mo Bunnell’s prior book on business development, “The Snowball System,” so I was happy to see his new book coming out, “Give to Grow.” In a nutshell, Bunnell emphasizes the importance of giving first – providing value before asking for anything in return. Investing in relationships leads to long-term benefits. If people see that you are invested in them personally, they are more likely to become advocates for your work and nat urally provide referrals. Bunnell’s new book is similar in focus to other books I’ve read, like “The Go Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann, but here Bunnell also provides help with the psychology behind the approach and provides ways to help deal “Give to Grow” by Mo Bunnell Kevin Thompson, Partner, Levin Ginsburg

with negative thoughts (or even lies you tell yourself) about why this won’t work. I’d encourage anyone interested in

business development to check out “Give to Grow” from your library and find even a few nuggets of advice to fine-tune your systems. Coupled with “The Snowball System,” it is a great methodological approach that is simple for even young attorneys to follow.

Things Every Lawyer Should Know a Little About Rewriting Rule 5.5 By Trisha M. Rich, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP

One of the most interesting things happening right now in the regula tion of the legal industry is the American Bar Association’s review and potential rewriting of Rule 5.5. Rule 5.5 governs the Unauthorized Practice of Law, and historically required that lawyers be licensed in the geographical location they were sitting in while they were practicing law (often called collo quially the “butt in seat” test). The Covid pandemic upended the way that the legal profession thought about this, though, and it quickly became painfully obvious (or more obvious) that Rule 5.5 had not evolved in a way that reflected how lawyers now practice law – often remotely from hotels or summer homes or otherwise away from their offices. As a result, the American Bar Association formed a working group to consider whether it should overhaul Rule 5.5 and potentially make it more flexible. That working group is drafting a proposal now.

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