Firm Development Portal
WEEKLY FIRM DEVELOPMENT TASKS - COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO EACH WEEK
OPTION 1: Submit a “What’chu Did” Wednesday for the Website
Task: Submit a 1-2 line anonymous summary of at least one case that you've handled that could be added to your “representative cases” on the website or shared on social media. These will be sent via the form below to Mark Weiker (for possible website and/or social media posts).
Estimated time: 5-20 minutes
Sample summaries (start with an action word):
o Secured speech therapy and behavior supports on a student’s IEP.
o Negotiated severance package for a Superintendent including backpay and frontpay.
o Successfully obtained reinstatement for a teacher who was fired for participating in a protest in her personal time.
o Avoided expulsion for an elementary student who mistakenly had a kitchen knife in his backpack at school.
o Submitted a comprehensive bullying complaint on behalf of a middle school student.
o Obtained an outside school placement at an autism-focused school for a student with disabilities after it was determined that his school district was not able to provide appropriate special education services.
o Avoided dismissal for a grad student who was falsely accused of sexual assault.
Sample Billing Entries:
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Sent Whatchu Did submissions through portal (.2)
OPTION 2: Request a Personalized “Thank you” or “Hello” card to be sent.
Complete the form below to request a handwritten note be sent to anyone (e.g. a former client, opposing counsel, a person you met at Starbucks, a former teacher or professor, a potential client, the mayor, etc.) to thank them for something or to check in on how they are doing and/or to let them know how you are doing.
A personalized handwritten card will be sent by an AW office administrator with your signature.
Sample notes:
Thank you 1: Just wanted to offer a quick thank you for referring Mr. Thompson last week. We were able to help and hopefully we’ll get him to a better place very soon. Appreciate the support.
Thank you 2: Just wanted to offer a quick thank you for the referrals throughout the year. In case you didn’t know, we always waive the consult fee if someone says you referred them to us. I’ll be sure to return the favor whenever possible. Cheers and best to you in 2023.
Former Client; Hello: Just wanted to drop a note to say hello. Hope Jack is off to a good start in the new school year. I see the family moved to Allentown. Hope the move went well. If there’s anything you need (formally or informally), do not hesitate to reach out.
Former Classmate; Hello: Just wanted to drop a note to say hello and great work on the case against City of Detroit. Hope all is well with the practice and your new family. If there’s anything you need (even to get away for a cocktail), do not hesitate to reach out.
Congratulations: Congrats on the promotion to partner at Dewey, Cheetham and Howe. No doubt that the firm is better off with you on the leadership team. If there’s anything I can help with in the future (informally or formally), do not hesitate to reach out. Cheers!
Get well: Sorry to hear about the injury. I hope surgery went well and recovery is swift. When you’re back on your feet, let’s get coffee or lunch and catch up. Better(?) luck in 2024!
Sample Billing Entries:
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Sent Request for Hello Card through portal (.2)
OPTION 3: Submit a Contact to the AW Master Database
Submit a personal or professional contact for the AW Master Contact Database. This database will be used occasionally for mailings, emailings, newsletter subscriptions, announcements, etc. The database is available to everyone through OneDrive. Submitting a contact through this portal will result in the contact being added to the database for future communications.
Sample Billing Entry:
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Submitted contact(s) to the AW Master Database through portal
OPTION 4: Build-a-Bridge or Organizational Involvement
Task: Identify organizations that you could partner with and reach out. This could be for legal services, parent training, member benefits, continuing education, etc, - OR - attend an organizational meeting.
Action item: Research the org; Email someone; Make a phone call; Have a meeting; Attend a webinar about the org; Get coffee to learn more about the organization; Create bullet points on a proposed partnership; attend bar association networking event; attend non-profit board meeting (e.g. as board member).
Sample orgs: Local Parent Groups; Childhood League, Student Legal Services (state colleges); Juvenile Courts, Homeschooling Network; Teachers Associations (unions); Educator Organizations; Michigan Alliance for Families, State Support Teams; Student Advocacy Center of Michigan, Educational Nonprofits; Private and Public Schools, Corporations, ISDs (Michigan) or ESCs (Ohio), Juvenile Public Defenders Associations; State and Local Bar Associations.
Estimated time: 10-30 minutes
Sample Email:
Hello _____,
I found your organization online and was impressed with the services you offer for ______________ [students/parents/teachers/employees/etc.] I’m interested in learning more and to see if there’s any way to coordinate our efforts or work together to help __________________ [students/parents/teachers/employees/etc]. I’m an education attorney focused primarily on representing __________________ [students/educators] in _______________ issues. You can read more here: www.Lawyers4Students.com
I’d love to chat, Zoom, or get coffee if you’d be open to brainstorming.
[Signature]
Sample Billing Entries:
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Reviewed website for Ohio Homeschooling Coalition; Read about 2022 Parents Summit; Identified Director and Co-Director and recorded email addresses (.2)
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Draft and deliver email to Director of Ohio Homeschooling Coalition to gather details about “Parents Summit” and describe our practice areas (.4)
OPTION 5: Pro Bono Projects or Hours
You may earn firm development credit for pro bono projects at the rate of one Tier III task for each hour of pro bono work you complete.
Sample Billing Entries:
Project: 03 - Tier III Tasks (Firm Development) / Description (e.g.): Complete adminsitrative tasks and completed forms on pro bono education law project (1.0 hours)