Section Newsletters

Articles From John T. Phipps

Matt Maloney—A Passion for the Law By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2023 Remembering former General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Council chair and member, Matt Maloney.
Editor’s column By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2019 An introduction to the issue by John T. Phipps, co-editor of the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm newsletter.
Succession planning: The proposed Supreme Court Rule 781 By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, January 2019 At the June 2018 ISBA Annual Meeting, the ISBA Assembly approved the proposed Illinois Supreme Court Rule 781, which was drafted by the ISBA Special Committee on Succession and Transition Planning and is awaiting review by the Illinois Supreme Court Professionalism and Rules Committee.
Succession planning: The proposed Supreme Court Rule 781 By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2018 At the June 2018 ISBA Annual Meeting, the ISBA Assembly approved the proposed Illinois Supreme Court Rule 781, which was drafted by the ISBA Special Committee on Succession and Transition Planning and is awaiting review by the Illinois Supreme Court Professionalism and Rules Committee.
IPad Pro – expensive but worth it if it meets your needs! Two versions to choose from By John T. Phipps Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, July 2017 A look at the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 12.9.
Editor’s column: The computer boogeymen are out there! Make sure you have good antivirus and malware software, use secure passwords and backup, backup, and backup! By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2017 Editor John Phipps shares his recent experience with a cyberattack, and the top 10 lessons he learned. 
1 comment (Most recent February 24, 2017)
Editor’s note By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2016 A message from Newsletter Editor John Phipps.
Editor’s Column: IPad Pro – expensive but worth it if it meets your needs! Two versions to choose from By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, July 2016 A look at the pros and cons of the iPad Pro 12.9.
IPad Pro – expensive but worth it if it meets your needs! By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, June 2016 John Phipps identifies the pros and cons of this recently released tech tool.
1 comment (Most recent June 10, 2016)
Does size matter? Absolutely! By John T. Phipps & Frank V. Ariano General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2015 Which of the new iPhones is better for you? Read this debate to decide.
Editor’s column: It’s a new year! Have you reviewed and updated your succession plan for your firm? More importantly, do you even have one? By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2015 Newsletter Co-editor John Phipps shares why having a succession plan in place is so important. 
Does size matter? Absolutely! By John T. Phipps & Frank V. Ariano Senior Lawyers, February 2015 This article is intended to get you to check out the new iPhones, with a biased debate as to which is better suited for the Senior Lawyer.  
ISBA Task Force to look at law schools and making “practice ready” new lawyers By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, November 2014 The author discusses the challenges new lawyers face and the ISBA's exciting plans to help them hit the ground running. 
3 comments (Most recent November 5, 2014)
Editor’s column: ISBA Task Force to look at law schools and making “practice ready” new lawyers By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, August 2014 Editor John Phipps discusses the challenges new lawyers face and the ISBA's exciting plans to help them hit the ground running. 
Chair’s column: Computers for seniors, limited engagements, special apps and thanks to the Council for a rewarding year By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, June 2014 A message from Senior Lawyers Section Chair John Phipps.
Editor’s column: It’s in the cloud—Report from the ABA Tech Show 2014 By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2014 The editor shares his thoughts from the ABA Tech Show.
Editor’s column: Disturbing trends—We are once again facing a challenging legal market By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2014 Editor John Phipps identifies some current trends that could adversely affect the practice of law. 
Editor’s column: Smart Phones—They really add to a lawyer’s life and productivity so don’t wait too long to upgrade from that old flip phone! By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2014 If you haven't already made the switch, Editor John Phipps explains why you should.
Chair’s column: Technology really is for seniors! By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, February 2014 A message from Section Chair John T. Phipps.
Chair’s column: Technology really is for seniors! By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, October 2013 A message from Senior Lawyers Section Chair John Phipps.
Editor’s column: Technology really is for seniors! By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, October 2013 With the new advances in technology, life for non-techie lawyers has become a whole lot easier.
Editor’s column: Smart phones, electronic tablets, and new computer operating systems and software—Once again changing how we practice By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, April 2013 Editor John Phipps discusses the advantages of upgrading your computer's hardware.
Editor’s column: Are we missing opportunities? By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2013 As we start the new year it is a good time to take a fresh look at how we screen our cases and what we do when we hear “I need your help but I have no money.”
Editor’s column: Reflections on the ABA Tech show: change, opportunity and challenge By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, July 2012 The practice of law is evolving, and the challenge will be in adapting and using technology to take advantage of the opportunities presented.
Editor’s column: Have you looked at your copier recently? By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, February 2012 A new office copier might well be worth the investment, even if you don't think you need one just yet.
Editor’s column: Developing “practice-ready” lawyers By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, October 2011 Newsletter Editor John Phipps shares his thoughts in response to the Chair's column.
3 comments (Most recent October 10, 2011)
“It’s in the cloud.” New Web-based services provide solo and small firm lawyers new low-cost technology options and opportunities By John T. Phipps Senior Lawyers, October 2011 When the time comes to upgrade your computer system, the “cloud” offers other alternatives that might provide a cost-effective solution to the computer needs of solo and small firm lawyers.
Editor’s column: I love my iPad2 or, Tablets are changing how we work By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, September 2011 A review of the iPad2 and how it can help you in your practice.
1 comment (Most recent September 14, 2011)
Editor’s column: “It’s in the cloud.” New Web-based services provide solo and small firm lawyers new low-cost technology options and opportunities By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, July 2011 When the time comes to upgrade your computer system the “cloud” offers other alternatives which might provide a cost effective solution to the computer needs of solo and small firm lawyers.
Editor’s column: ABA Tech Show April 11-13, 2011 at Chicago Hilton is a great tech resource for solo & small firm lawyers By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2011 Editor John Phipps discusses the benefits of next month's ABA Tech Show.

Spot an error in your article? Contact Celeste Niemann at cniemann@isba.org. For information on obtaining a copy of an article, visit the ISBA Newsletters page.

Select a Different Author