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  • May 17, 2017 | Member Services
    Membership Appreciation Month: Lock it Down

    In light of the WannaCry ransomware attack over the weekend — which affected more than 200K computers in 150 countries — today's challenge is especially timely. (Read this if you were attacked by WannaCry and need help knowing what to do next.)

    Today Tim and Brandt, ISBA's tech gurus, talk about how to protect your computer and data as best as you can from malware, ransomeware, and other cyber attacks.

    13 Best Practices for Keeping Your Windows PC and Mac Secure

    (In Italy, 13 is good luck!)

    1. Backup your data. Back it up again somewhere else. If everything else fails, you'll be really glad you have all your data saved elsewhere. Check out this previous D4S post that was all about redundant backup.

    2. Disable the remote desktop in Windows and only use secure remote software (like TeamViewer). See this document for instructions.

  • May 16, 2017 | Member Services
    Member Appreciation Month: Five More Free Tech Resources

    We're providing you with five more free tech resources today — all part of our Timesaving Tech Tips week. If you've found any other great free (or cheap) tech resources that have helped you at work, we're eager to hear from you. Share your tips with us and others by commenting below. 

  • May 15, 2017 | ISBA News | Member Services
    #GetFoundWithILF - Update Your Profile to Enter Our iPad Pro Giveaway

    Update your profile now to enter! Giveaway ends May 26!

    IllinoisLawyerFinder – the ISBA's new online public member directory – is now live.

    We've just rolled out a new member benefit to help you* enhance your online presence and attract potential clients. Now it's your turn to go online and expand upon your FREE profile listing.

    Update your profile and accept the User Agreement by May 26 for a chance to win our Grand Prize – 12.9" iPad Pro with 128GB or 1 of 3 $100 Amazon Gift Cards.

    Expand your profile by doing any of the following...

  • May 12, 2017 | Member Services
    Complimentary 'Optimizing Your Success' E-Book from ISBA Mutual

    Please enjoy this gift from our malpractice insurance partner, ISBA Mutual!

    Despite our staid reputation, change has long been occurring in the legal profession.

    • Technology continues to expand and evolve across law firms
    • Internet technologies have empowered consumers, and are changing how legal services are delivered
    • Hourly rates are giving way to flat fees in some practice areas
    • Mobile devices and pervasive connectivity are changing clients' expectations of communication with their lawyers
    • Non-lawyers are providing some legal services online, even across state lines that traditionally limit lawyers
    • State bars and courts are exploring the licensing of non-lawyer alternatives to provide legal services

    At ISBA Mutual - your success is ours - and we're recognizing that fact throughout ISBA Member Appreciation Month. To help you build upon your present success and flourish in an uncertain future, we are providing this complimentary download of our e-book normally available exclusively to lawyers and law firms insured by ISBA Mutual.

  • May 12, 2017 | Member Services
    Member Appreciation Month Tip: Lawin' in Style - Wardrobe Edition

    We're ending our D4S Week 2 — Polish Your Professional Presence — in style. Literally. Your challenge is to evaluate the image you're projecting with your wardrobe and if it's working for you.

    You never get a second chance to make a first impression. - Will Rogers

    You are more than your clothes. You are more than your job. But there's also no harm in wanting to make a great impression on clients and colleagues, and having a good sense of style will help you do that. Whether you're into creating a capsule wardrobe or have a closet that Carrie Bradshaw would envy, there's a style for every lawyer that will make you feel both comfortable and commanding.  

    We contacted a few ISBA members who are well-known for their stylish ensembles to get their advice and insight on power dressing for lawyers. 

    Meet Our Style Mavens. All four interviewees are active members in the ISBA — which is how we knew they were so stylish! — and come from a variety of backgrounds and practices. Meet Natali, Rory, Carol and Cory (kind of has a jingle to it, no?)...

  • May 11, 2017 | Member Services
    Membership Appreciation Month Tip: Lawin’ in Style - Office Edition

    If you have a subscription to Veranda magazine...or home-design-related boards on Pinterest...or love watching HGTV — today is your (D4S) day — because today, we're talking office style.

  • May 10, 2017 | Member Services
    Congratulations to the Winner of ISBA's First Instagram Challenge!

    Congratulations to Joy Gossman for winning a set of Marie Kondo's books, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Life-Changing Maging: A Journal, and a Royal 1600mx paper shredder in ISBA's #deskie challenge on Instagram!

    On the first day of Member Appreciation Month, we tackled de-cluttering Marie Kondo-style and asked readers to share a photo of their decluttered desks or the item that sparks the most joy.We loved seeing your photos of our tips being put to good use in your offices and what brings our members joy during the workday! 

    Don't forget to check out our Membership Appreciation Month site for upcoming promotions.

  • May 10, 2017 | Member Services
    Membership Appreciation Month Tip: Your Brand, But Better

    There's probably no better way to project a polished professional presence than having a good brand. Today we're looking at what that means exactly, and exploring ways to improve yours.

    Your Brand Is Your Promise to Your Client. If you Google 'branding' you'll find many different descriptions of what it means. But at the heart of it, your brand is how others see you based on how you present yourself and the characteristics that define you. This is your personal brand.

    Your professional brand adds the context of your work to that equation, defining your unique value proposition in the marketplace.

    And your firm brand is about the reputation and value proposition of your firm as a whole, not just you (unless you are a solo lawyer).

    "Knowing who you are, what you stand for, your professional strengths and what clients can expect when they hire you - as well as being able to communicate this clearly and effectively - will be key to your success both in terms of becoming better known internally (within your law firm) and externally (with your clients)." - The Importance of Personal Branding for Lawyers, Stephanie Solakian Goldstein

  • May 9, 2017 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Lawyer Referral Service Makes Over 900 Referrals in April

    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays.  The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law.  For the month of April, there were at total of 940 calls.

  • May 9, 2017 | Member Services
    Membership Appreciation Month Tip: Up Your Out of Office Game

    Today's challenge is to create a more thoughtful out-of-office ('OOO') message, also called an automatic email responder, to better serve and delight your clients.

    An Easy Way to Extend Your Customer Service. Picture this...it's the end of the day the Friday before your week-long vacation. You're about to shut down your computer when you remember - shoot! - I need to let everyone know I'll be out next week. So you log back into Outlook/Gmail, spend 60 seconds updating your last (generic) OOO message with next week's dates, and 2 minutes later you're out the door.

    Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone.

    And while just the basics will suffice, it's certainly not taking advantage of the opportunity to create a positive memorable experience for the reader. You've worked hard to develop client relationships and deliver exceptional service while you're in the office. It's time to extend that to your client touches when you're out of the office as well.

    The Bare Necessities. A professional OOO message should at minimum cover the following 3 items: