Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF)

Philip C. Potts, South Bend, Indiana: District 3 ICLEF Board Representative

ICLEF welcomes Philip Potts, Potts & Potts Law Firm, South Bend, Indiana to the Board of Directors. He is serving a three-year term as the District 3 representative. Born and raised in South Bend, Phil has enjoyed serving his clients in St. Joseph County for over 50 years. His law practice centers on probate, real estate and trusts.

Among Phil’s connections with ICLEF is one that provides a winter-time break from the South Bend climate. He and his wife, Pat, are among the most loyal attendees of the ICLEF Out-of-Country CLE programs. The combination of a winter escape, good companionship and great CLE convinced them to make this program a tradition.  They’ve  traveled with this ICLEF group for over 25 years, developing friendships that they enjoy a great deal.

When asked to offer a few thoughts concerning his ICLEF board involvement, Phil provided these kind words:

“ICLEF offers a forum in which the best and brightest members of our profession unselfishly share their knowledge, experience and insight.  Thereby, enabling us to provide the best available legal advice to our clients.  Our clients deserve nothing less.

The effort is minimal, the rewards multiple, not the least of which is the satisfaction of a job well done.”

We look forward to Phil’s guidance in his directorship role with ICLEF.

If you are interested in learning more about the January 21-28, 2012 Caribbean CLE Cruise Click Here to download a PDF of the brochure or email Dixie Chaille by Clicking Here. You can also contact Dixie at 317-637-9012

Approximately 18 months ago ICLEF went down a new avenue of CLE presentation – live group webcasts through law firms around Indiana.  These sessions are designed to provide another facet to our CLE service by offering programs at your doorstep. Recently, we talked with one partner in Valparaiso about his experience with the ICLEF live group webcasts.

Dan Gioia, Burke, Costanza & Carberry LLP, shared his thoughts following the live ICLEF group webcast of “Trust Accounts Made Easy,” a 3-hour CLE program broadcast from his law firm’s conference room.

Dan is a Family Law and Civil Mediator, CLE lecturer, law school faculty member and a past president of the Indiana Supreme Court Commission for Continuing Legal Education.   His law firm was one of the first to sign up as a host for the live ICLEF group webcasts.

ICLEF hoped to increase the methods of reaching lawyers around Indiana by providing services in their own backyard.  When Jim Whitesell, Program Director for ICLEF, approached Dan about his firm’s involvement Dan was very receptive to the idea of receiving ICLEF’s live group webcast feed.  Burke, Costanza & Carberry responded positively and the relationship developed into a winner.

Dan reports that the setup at the law firm was easy and the response from attendees is very positive.

In order to decide which topics might best serve the needs of local lawyers, Dan surveys the 22 members of his firm for their CLE needs.   So far, there have been attendees at each one of the webcasts, some with three, some with twelve.  “There are always walk-ins from the local area. Being available in town, when someone sees at the last minute an opening on his/her calendar they know they can just come on over.  The most surprising one, however, was the lady waiting at the door to the office when I opened up one morning.  She was a walk-in for the Intellectual Property webcast….who drove in from Idaho!”

Jim also speaks with the highest regard about the venture: “Dan’s  involvement in our webcast program runs very smoothly. He sets up the conference room and the technology.  We provide the feed, marketing and any other support necessary. He is a key ingredient in the success of this important supplement to CLE offerings.  It has been a pleasure to partner with Burke, Costanza and Carberry on bringing the lawyers in the Valparaiso area more choices.“

When Burke, Costanza and Carberry decided to try out the live group webcast program, one of the main intentions was to provide a service to their community.  But there have been other unanticipated rewards. Mr. Gioia mentions that inviting local lawyers to the firm for the live group webcasts adds a camaraderie component, “I find I am able to catch up with people that I haven’t had the opportunity to cross paths with in a while.”  The wide range of ICLEF subject matter from which to choose brings a mix of people.  Case in point…the Idaho Intellectual Property lawyer.

Thanks again to Dan Gioia and Burke, Costanza & Carberry for participation in, and feedback on, this important expansion of ICLEF services.

Other law firms in various parts of Indiana like May Oberfell & Lorber in Mishawaka and Taft Stettinius & Hollister in Indianapolis also host ICLEF live group webcasts Click Here to see more. We appreciate each and every relationship!  If your firm might be interested in participating in ICLEF live group webcasts, contact Jim Whitesell (jim@iclef.org). To see a list of upcoming live in-person seminars and live group webcast seminars Click Here.

Jeff Hawkins, Hawkins Law PC, Sullivan, Indiana

The ICLEF Speaker Spotlight focuses a beam on a faculty member that contributes to the quality, convenience and relevance goals of the organization.  This month we are featuring a long-time, valued speaker and friend of ICLEF, Jeff Hawkins, of Sullivan, Indiana.

Jeff began practicing law in Jasonville, Indiana, with his mentor, John Rowe, in the early 1990s after graduating from IU Kelly School of Business and the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.  He and his wife, Jennifer, now share Hawkins Law PC in Sullivan, Indiana.   Most of their practice is limited to estate and trust planning and administration and elder law.

The lawyers of Indiana have benefited considerably from Jeff Hawkin’s generous involvement as an ICLEF faculty member for over 15 years. His speaking engagements are voluminous, but to mention just two of the recent ICLEF presentations, he was a faculty member in November, 2011, at the CLE program on Asset Protection Planning and will be contributing “5 Trust Funding Tips” at the December Hot Tips in Estate Practice CLE.  Jeff logged considerable miles in 2010 as he traveled around Indiana to teach Hoosier lawyers about Indiana’s Transfer on Death Property Act which he helped author. Among numerous educational presentations on the topic, he explained the Act in his elder law presentations for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum’s Advanced Elder Law conference in French Lick and its annual Elder Law Institute in Indianapolis.

Educating attorneys just starting out in the practice is an area where Jeff eagerly shares his career development strategies and learning experiences. One example of this is an article entitled “Starting and Managing a Law Practice in a Nutshell,” which he wrote for ICLEF’s use in educating new lawyers.  In that article he explains how a  sense of the need for deliberate practice development led him at the early stages of his legal career to his involvement as an ICLEF speaker.  He recognizes the value of educational speaking as an important ingredient in distinguishing his law firm as a premium legal service provider.  In sharing his experiences with new lawyers, he says:  “My ICLEF exposure to several highly successful law practices in various practice fields provided me with professional marketing insights that helped me to plan my legal practice path.” Another key factor that Jeff shared concerning his involvement with ICLEF is that he welcomes the challenges that are presented to stay a step ahead in his specialty areas.  A piece of Jeff’s advice to brand new attorneys:  “Congratulations on your choice of attending the ICLEF Professionalism program.  You have made one of the best decisions of your new legal career.  Law practice is an art form that requires constant refinement and continuing education under the scrutiny of judges and other attorneys.  You may not have all of the skills and knowledge necessary to begin a particular kind of practice.  This is where a mentor, a treatise, and lots of continuing legal education pay off.  If you want to be the best, seek out the best and start taking notes.”

Another hot topic in the legal arena overall is technology’s impact on the practice.  Therefore, we asked Jeff about his personal experiences and where he feels the social media phenomenon is going for lawyers.  The story of the opening of the Hawkins law firm in 2001 involved huge technological challenges that he openly shares with any new lawyer who’s interested.  At this point in the firm’s history they are fully engaged in every technological advantage that comes along.  Their website, Hawkinslaw.com, has developed into an important part of the conversation with their clientele and the community.  Not only does the site present a full explanation of practice areas of the firm, it covers the latest firm news and key features about their academic presentations.  Hawkinslaw.com also offers frank and helpful legal information and personal advice. Jeff and Jennifer consider their advice online important to their goal of public service.  Their Facebook page also enhances that effort.

Hawkins shared that a guiding philosophy of his law firm recognizes the importance of technology in the productivity of the firm and in their marketing plan.  He values and takes advantage of the communication opportunities provided by the Internet and would recommend them whole-heartedly.

So, now one might ask: How does Jeff Hawkins maintain his hectic legal career, contribute to ICLEF and have a life?
Although his practice is obviously a central ingredient in his life, family and faith are at the top of Jeff Hawkins’ priority list.  A peek into his thought processes can be had by browsing a list of those he names as inspirational.  Among those on the list are Jesus, Forest Gump and Abraham Lincoln.
In providing an answer to the ‘how does he have a life?’ question, he says “I believe it’s important to reevaluate my practice and my practices on a regular basis.  Time spent in contributing to legal education through ICLEF gives back in many ways.  Those experiences have continued to survive the evaluation.”

ICLEF is fortunate to have Jeff Hawkins as a faculty member.  His participation raises the bar and challenges us all to maintain the core ICLEF values of quality, convenience and relevance.     Thanks for sharing your expertise, Jeff.

Jeff will be speaking next at:

120 Hot Tips in Estate Practice – 6 CLE
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
ICLEF Conference Facility, Indianapolis
Click Here for additional information or to register for the Live In-Person Seminar.

This seminar is also available as a Live Individual Webcast. View the seminar from the comfort of your home or office computer. Click Here for additional information or to register.

To honor those who served our country, ICLEF extended complimentary admission to those who are either current or former members of our nation’s armed forces at two CLE seminars taking place on Veteran’s Day.

The first opportunity was Advanced Real Estate Law, a Master’s Series seminar, at the Blue Chip Hotel & Casino in Michigan City on November 10 and 11.  We were humbled to have had 14 veterans of the US Armed Forces join us for this two-day, roundtable-format seminar.  Among the attendees was US Army veteran David Stevens of Highland. “The invitation to attend this program was greatly appreciated. This format for a seminar was a great opportunity to address such complex issues that many attorneys would not otherwise be able to discuss within their own practice,” stated Stevens.

Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps veterans and brothers Paul and Andrew Giorgi, both of Merrillville, echoed the sentiments of Stevens. “The format of these advanced ICLEF Master’s Series programs is the best.  The informal setting along with the high caliber of the faculty and participants makes these meetings so useful.  Thank you for the opportunity.”

Our second opportunity was ICLEF’s annual Worker’s Compensation program that took place in Indianapolis on Veteran’s Day. ICLEF was honored to have in attendance 34 current or former members of the US Armed Forces. Their years of service ranged from 1951 to the present day.

Among them was Gaylon James Nettles, US Army from 1967-1989, who said “I want to say what a pleasure it has been for me to be involved with ICLEF for many years.  The gesture made today for the Veterans to be able to attend is greatly appreciated, and I thank you very much.”

Program attendee and US Marine Veteran Rafael Ramirez summed up ICLEF’s efforts and this significant holiday by saying, “Lawyers have a moral duty to advocate for Veteran’s rights as recognition for their past sacrifice.  What ICLEF did for us today as Veterans is truly honorable and the recognition is heartwarming.”

ICLEF was honored to have so many veterans join us on a day set aside to honor their sacrifices for our nation.  We are truly fortunate to have such citizens among the practicing bar in Indiana.

Pictured are 17 of the 34 veterans attending ICLEF’s Worker’s Compensation seminar at the ICLEF Facility, November 11^th

U.S. Army veterans and attorneys David Stevens, retired Lake County Judge Andrew Giorgi and his brother Paul Giorgi were among the 14 veterans attending the ICLEF Masters Series seminar Advanced Real Estate Law at the Blue Chip Hotel and Casino in Michigan City, November 10-11