Speaking Engagement: Marketing Your Practice Using Social Media

I will be speaking this ICLE seminar on April 12, 2011 on how I have used social media to create new opportunities and increase my network.

For more information about this seminar and to register, visit the ICLE seminar website.

Speaking Engagement: Attorney Ethics Using Social Media

I will be presenting at this year’s State Bar of Michigan Annual Meeting Solo & Small Firm Institute “Social Networking in Your Law Practice” program in Grand Rapids. My presentation will focus on Attorney ethics in using social media and networking online.

For those attending the Annual Meeting Solo & Small Firm Institute, my presentation will be at 4pm on Friday, October 1.

Here is a link to the schedule of events for the Annual Meeting and Institute.

Social Media Law 101

I will be co-presenting at the next Social Media Michigan on the topic of Social Media law.

Here are the details of the meeting:

Date:          Thursday, May 20, 2010

Time:          6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location:  38777 Six Mile Road, Suite 410 Livonia, Michigan 48154

You can register here: http://www.socialmediami.com/register/

NASABA Executive Committee

Over the past year I have been serving on the Executive Committee of the North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”) as its Treasurer.  I am pleased to announce that I will be serving as Treasurer on the Executive Committee of NASABA for one more year.

Congratulations to all of the new Executive Committee officers who will serve NASABA for the 2010-2011 year!

• President – Anna Sankaran
• President-Elect — Jolsna John
• Secretary – Tarun Chandran
• Treasurer – Priya Marwah Doornbos
• Vice President-Memberships — Emilie Ninan
• Vice President-Public Relations — Chintan Amin
• Vice President-Affiliate Relationships — Manjit Gill
• Vice President-Community Outreach — Paul Saghera
• Vice President-Convention — Ankita Patel (appointed by SABA SoCal for the 2011 NASABA Convention Host Chapter

I look forward to working with all of you next year to make another successful year for NASABA and South Asian Attorneys everywhere!

Top 5 Things Businesses Should Know About Michigan's New Smoking Ban

On May 1, 2010, Michigan will become the 38th State to ban smoking in public places.

The law, which is known as the Dr. Ron Davis Smoke-Free Air Law, was passed by the Michigan legislature on December 10, 2009.  It was signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm on December 18, 2009.  The law applies to most public places including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, bowling alleys, concert halls, arenas, museums, mechanic shops, health facilities, nursing homes, education facilities, and child care centers.  It does not apply to cigar bars, tobacco specialty retail stores, and the gaming floors of Detroit’s three casinos.  The law also does not apply to Native American land, including the Indian casinos.

In order to comply with this new statewide law, here are the top 5 things that businesses in Michigan should know:

1. Businesses must clearly and conspicuously post “no smoking” signs or the international “no smoking” symbol at each entrance and in other areas where smoking is prohibited under the law.
2. Businesses must remove ashtrays and other smoking paraphernalia from anywhere where smoking is prohibited.
3. The business owners and operators must inform individuals smoking in violation of the law that they are in violation of state law and are subject to penalties.
4. The business must refuse service to an individual smoking in violation of the Smoke Free Law.
5. The business must ask an individual smoking in violation of the law to refrain from smoking and, if the individual continues to smoke in violation of the Smoke Free Law, ask him or her to leave.

The burden is on the business owners and operators to ensure compliance with the Smoke-Free Law.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding compliance with the Smoke-Free Law, please feel free to post a comment or contact me.

Today is World Intellectual Property Day

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of World Intellectual Property Day and the 40th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization to encourage creativity and innovation around the world.

Happy Anniversary!

From Billable Hours to Flat Fee Success

Please visit The Space Between Center for Creative Spirit in Business for a recent blog post I authored on going from billable hours in a law firm to a flat fee model in my own practice.

What is RSS and Why is it Important?

Are You Using Google Alerts?

Attorneys: Mind Your Ethics With Your Online Profiles