As I mentioned yesterday, during our Coast to Coast interview with ABA President Michael S. Greco, he stated his commitment to supporting solo and small-firm lawyers during his term. Shortly after I wrote that, the ABA circulated an op-ed written by Greco, America’s Main Street Lawyers, in which he discusses ways the ABA is working to better serve solo and small firm practitioners. Here are some excerpts:

“As president of the American Bar Association I am making a commitment to solo and small firm practitioners, the fastest-growing segment of lawyers in our country, to ensure that the ABA provides more and better service to them as they build their practices and serve their clients.

“For many years our ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section has supported solo and small firm lawyers. Earlier this month, at our Association’s annual meeting in Chicago, we took the advice of hundreds of solo and small firm lawyers to make the ABA an even more valuable resource to America’s ‘Main Street lawyer.’

“We have created a new portal for solo and small-firm lawyers to enter the ABA, and we have thrown open the doors to our more than two dozen substantive law sections, recognizing that these colleagues practice in many areas of the law and work on behalf of a diverse group of clients. Now constituted as a Division of the American Bar Association, this new entity will help guide its members into appropriate substantive law sections and provide practitioners the best resources and expertise that the ABA has to offer.

“What does the ABA offer a solo or small-firm lawyer? Lots of things. Advice on building and managing their law practice. Access to a wealth of publications and electronic information to keep their skills sharp and knowledge up to date. The best CLE programs in the country. Opportunities to network with other lawyers and legal experts throughout the country. And a wide range of benefits, including health insurance, travel services and discounts.

“Our recent change also ensures that solo and small firm lawyers will be better represented within the ABA. The Division now elects three delegates to the ABA House of Delegates, our policy-making body, and these delegates will bring the perspective of solo and small firm practitioners to issues that affect the legal profession and their place in it, giving solo and small firm lawyers a voice and a vote.

“I am very pleased to offer this tremendous benefit to solo and small firm lawyers nationwide, and I am excited about what the future holds for this growing group of practitioners and colleagues.”

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.