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PLL Program Planner
A handy planner to help you get to all of the education, business, and fun the Annual Meeting has to offer for PLL Members |
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Would You Like to Take a Survey?
I am writing an article for Spectrum about PLL member participation on AALL committees. Please take a moment to answer a few survey questions about why you volunteer for committee work or why you do not.
Thank you so much for your time and input. Please let me know if you have questions or would like to share your experience in some other way.
Thanks,
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FROM THE CHAIR
by Linda-Jean Schneider, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, PA
As the Board and I prepare to wrap up the past year at the Annual Business Meeting-which we will share with almost 200 of you in Seattle-I plan to review and acknowledge where we have made strides as well as where we need to put forth stronger efforts.
Recently, more than a dozen of the PLL-SIS leaders (Committee Chairs, Caucus and Group Heads) held a joint conference call with the current and newly-elected Board members, to discuss the results of the recent Membership survey, the Strategic Plan, and the Communication Plan for the SIS. Although there were numerous interesting insights and suggestions from your membership survey responses (such as the need to continue programming such as the Summit or a similar track within the Annual Meeting; the preference for free or low-cost webinars when travel costs prohibit in-person attendance; the need for more regional programming and for increased diversity of professional development offerings), the most important identified need is for more transparency and understanding about what goes on behind the scenes in the PLL-SIS. More frequent yet targeted communication is vital, and we continue to work on an effective plan to maintain this connection.
Obviously, we have built on the foundation created by Past Chairs and Board members, Committee chairs and members, Webmasters, Newsletter Editors and writers, and others who have made significant contributions to the Section. In many ways, it's analogous to the relationship of Technical/Operational Services to Research/Reference/information dissemination, or the reliance of an onstage cast on the backstage crew. Any of you involved in meeting planning and organizational dynamics will recognize those similarities. It is also important is to understand and recognize the interaction with, and reliance on, AALL Headquarters staff and its contribution. Above all, without the support and backbone of the SIS leadership and dedicated committee volunteers, we would not be able to accomplish all we do each year.
Relying on strong contributions his year and the many ambitious plans of Past Chair Steve Lastres, we were able to:
- Adapt to the new programming format of the Annual Meeting, with several PLL participants and major contributors to the programming, working jointly with other SISs. Our specific PLL-SIS-sponsored program on "Surrounded by Geniuses," (see elsewhere in the newsletter for details) promises to be a highlight.
- Present several outstanding Webinars this past year-particularly the KM series facilitated by Steve Lastres and guided by the expertise of Stephanie Barnes, and the Patent Law basics presented by the IP Group-AND THESE WERE ALL FREE TO OUR MEMBERS.
- Produce yet another outstanding Summit, thanks to the inspired leadership and direction of co-Chairs Jean O'Grady and Joan Axelroth.
- Develop, disseminate, and analyze the awesome membership survey, coordinated by co-Chairs Cameron Gowan and Karen Silber, with the expert assistance of Yumiko Blackwell.
- Begin the transformation process of the PLL website on AALLnet, under the direction of Ellen Callinan and Kevin Miles, with the valued input of Chris Siwa of AALL.
- Foster increased interaction with other professional associations on both the Chapter and National level, including attendance at LLAGNY and LLSDC Showcase events jointly with SLA, ILTA, ALA, and ARMA-as well as a presentation at the C-Suite for LMA, produced in response to Kate Hagan's request.
- Complete the transition from an occasionally-produced PLL Perspectives in pdf format to the monthly e-Newsletter- which records our activities and accomplishments as a Section for posterity-as guided by the ubiquitous Sarah Mauldin . (Hein maintains the archive for us-BIG thank you to them!)
- Continue to contribute to the international and jointly-produced Blog, "On Firmer Ground".
- Begin revising the PLL Procedures Manual, led by PLL's intrepid Secretary, Kristine Lloyd, in her first of a 2-year term. Since this hasn't been updated in a mere 7 years (!), it is vital to maintaining the continuity and effectiveness of PLL.
Thank you so much to all of you who contributed to these efforts and others during the past year. Incoming PLL-SIS Chair, the dynamic Jean O'Grady, will soon be requesting volunteers to lead and participate in her plans for the coming year. Please respond to her call!
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Annual Meeting Programs of Note
I6: Top Trends Reshaping the Legal Industry: How Can Law Librarians Make an Impact?
As law librarians who are in the midst of seismic change impacting the legal industry, you won't want to miss this AALL education program that will cover the top trends reshaping the legal industry as pronounced by Monica Bay, editor-in-chief of Law Technology News. To provide expert analysis of what these trends mean for law librarians and how we support our organizations, Casey Flaherty, Corporate Counsel at Kia Motors America, Inc., will provide his insight about what needs to change in the delivery of client services and how law firms need to become more efficient and provide more value. As a result of an article that Casey wrote in Law Technology News on a controversial technology audit that KIA uses for outside law firms, he has gained a significant following for challenging lawyers to be efficient users of basic technology. Read Casey Flaherty's article below and view an interview by Monica Bay. More importantly, come see them "live" on Tuesday, July 16that 3:45 pm.
Kia Motors Tests Outside Counsel Tech Skills
See Monica Bay's interview of Casey Flaherty. The interview
Time:3:45pm - 4:45pm
Location:611-614
Description:
This session will review top trends reshaping the legal industry, which includes e-discovery, alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), legal process outsourcing, legal project management, globalization, virtual law firms, and alternative billing models.
Takeaway 1: Participants will learn about the latest trends impacting the legal industry.
Takeaway 2: Participants will gain strategies from the panelists and audience members to prepare themselves to successfully sustain the ripple effects within their organizations.
Who should attend: Librarians in management positions; librarians who are responsible for technology initiatives, teaching lawyers coming into the profession, or delivering client services
Track(s): Library Management, Information Technology, Teaching, Reference, Research and Client Services
C6: Hot Topic: What's My Bottom Line? Managing Law Firms Through the Great Recession
Sunday, July 14, 4:00 PM, WCC 606-607
Many of us have close working relationships with the senior partners and management of the firms we work in, but many of us don't. If you had the opportunity to sit down with the managing partner of a (your?) law firm, what would you ask? What would you like to know? The first Hot Topic program at AALL will feature a frank and free-ranging discussion with Jim Lehmann, the managing partner of Nelson Mullins, which is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast. The conversation will be led by Pamela Melton, Associate Director for Administration at the Coleman Karesh Law Library, University of South Carolina School of Law. Christine Sellers, Research Specialist at Nelson Mullins, will be joining Mr. Lehmann and Ms. Melton.
Mr. Lehmann oversees the work of over 400 attorneys in offices from Boston to Tallahassee, Charlotte to Nashville. He will discuss the effects of the Great Recession on his firm, on the legal profession generally, where he thinks the profession will go from here, and what law firms now expect from newly hired associates. Ms. Sellers will discuss the librarian's role in developing strategies for the firm's success. There will be opportunities to ask questions during the program. If you would like to join the discussion, be in the audience on Sunday, July 14, at 4:00, in Rooms 606-607 of the Washington Convention Center. |
PLL-SIS Executive Board Call
May 14, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. EST, with the following attendees:
Linda-Jean Schneider, Chair
Jean O'Grady, Chair-Elect
Steve Lastres, Past Chair
Elaine Knecht, Treasurer
Kristine Lloyd, Secretary
Cameron Gowan, Board Member
Scott Snipes, Board Member
The board meeting minutes for March were moved for approval by Linda-Jean via email and seconded by Cameron.
Elaine provided her Treasurer's Report. Our current balance is $55,827 after paying out the Emerging Leaders Grant, a travel grant and reimbursement to Cheryl Niemeier for the Summit and Cameron Gowan for travel to the LLAGNY Showcase, as well as nominal costs for a Citrix meeting. There is still $1900 allocated for travel grant funds.
Jean asked if there would be travel grant money available to assist with funding her upcoming travel to Australia to speak at both the Australian Law Librarians' Association's annual conference and the Janders Dean KM Thought Leadership Roundtable. Steve recommended that PLL provide some funding, since we have traditionally provided funding to support PLL leadership in their professional development endeavors. Jean suggested that a grant of $500 would be of great help to offset some of her costly travel expenses. Elaine moved to grant $500 for travel to Jean, and Steve seconded the motion.
The next order of business was an overview of events at the upcoming AALL annual meeting. Linda-Jean reported that Don MacLeod would be the guest speaker at the PLL luncheon on Sunday, July 14th. Carolyn Ahearn will be attending as a special guest, since she is a recipient of the 2013 Marion Gallagher Award. Jean then asked whether PLL offers a lifetime membership for retired members. Linda-Jean offered to investigate whether we could add this as a membership category.
Steve briefly talked about our SIS-sponsored program on knowledge management which will complement the KM webinar series.
Linda-Jean relayed that one of the AALL Hot Topics lists PLL member Christine Sellers as a presenter. The Hot Topic is entitled: What's My (Bottom) Line? Managing Law Firms Through the Great Recession, and Christine will co-present with her Managing Partner, Jim Lehmann.
Lastly, related to the annual meeting, Linda-Jean brought up the topic of VIP guest suggestions. We would like to invite a VIP guest to the annual meeting. AALL would pay for the conference registration fees and PLL would pay for the hotel and travel fees if the guest is not local. Ideally, we would like to have a C-level executive from either Microsoft or Amazon, or another large Seattle-based company attend. Linda-Jean is going to reach out to her contact at Microsoft first, and then Kristine will contact someone from Amazon or another local Seattle company to try to identify a VIP guest.
Our next agenda item concerned the Leadership call. Linda-Jean surveyed committee chairs and other necessary PLL leaders to determine a convenient meeting time. It was decided after receiving 13 responses that the call would be held on May 20th at 3:00 EST. The agenda for the call will include the membership survey, annual reports, the website updates, and the Procedures Manual.
We then moved on to a discussion of PLL Awards. Emily Florio is the winner of the Emerging Leaders Award, and Lucy Curci-Gonzalez is the winner of the Service to PLL Award.
Next on the agenda was a brief report on the Communications Committee. Steve reported that Emily Florio has organized a two-part webinar on patent research. The upcoming webinar, Patent Research 101, which is the second in the series, will be offered on June 19th.
Our next agenda item was membership and a discussion of the recent membership survey. Linda-Jean reported that the survey results had been sent out to all PLL leadership. Steve asked whether the board intended to look at the survey and create priorities for future planning. Linda-Jean reported that she will be having a strategic plan call with Martha Goldman to help organize some ideas for a future strategic plan.
The next topic on the agenda was nominations, and we briefly discussed the recent election. Kristine reported that only 343 members voted, even though multiple outlets were used for communicating multiple messages about the election. Jean suggested that we recommend that AALL change their voting procedures to allow members to simply log in to the AALL website and vote, rather than having to find a single email sent out by AALL with a pin number in it. Kristine will communicate this feedback to Chris Siwa at AALL headquarters.
We then discussed the Procedures Manual. Kristine reported that she has received most of the updates from committee chairs but that a few are still outstanding. She hopes to have the manual completed by the end of May or early June.
Our next order of business was the PLL Summit. Linda-Jean reported that AALL has left it up to PLL to decide if we want to continue offering the Summit each year. Jean reported that a great program is lined up. Kristine reported, based on a recent Local Arrangements Committee meeting with Pam Reisinger, that 114 people have signed up for the Summit, with 17 of these individuals only registered for the Summit. Linda-Jean reported that Cheryl Niemeier and Emily Florio are creating posts for the Summit blog. Steve suggested that we extend personal invitations to the Summit to the directors of ILTA, SLA, NALP and other related organizations. Kristine asked if the Summit gets advertised to SLA members, and Steve suggested that Jeff Brandt at ILTA and Nina Platt at SLA could help advertise the Summit to their respective members.
The meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m. EST. Our next call is scheduled for June 11th at 2:00 p.m. EST.
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PLL-SIS Executive Board Call
June 11, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. EST, with the following attendees:
Linda-Jean Schneider, Chair
Jean O'Grady, Chair-Elect
Elaine Knecht, Treasurer
Kristine Lloyd, Secretary
Cameron Gowan, Board Member
Scott Snipes, Board Member
The board meeting minutes for May were moved for approval by Linda-Jean and seconded by Elaine.
The first order of agenda was Elaine's Treasurer's Report. Elaine is currently training incoming Treasurer Emily Florio. Emily is also receiving training from AALL headquarters. Elaine will continue working with Emily to assist her with allocations after the Summit.
We currently have about $54,727.15 in our treasury. Three of our five travel grant recipients have requested reimbursement. Elaine suggested in the future that we might suggest to AALL that we change the reimbursement system to a direct payment system. This way grantees will not have to pay from their personal accounts and then go through the reimbursement process. Additionally, we spoke briefly about the irregular reporting and information from headquarters regarding our account balances. Linda-Jean will ask Meg Butler about regular budget reporting for our SIS.
Our next agenda item was a report by Linda-Jean on the upcoming annual meeting. First, we discussed our VIP suggestions. Our preference was to contact someone local to Seattle, and Microsoft and Amazon were suggested as possibilities. Cameron stated that she has a contact at Microsoft who may be able to recommend a VIP attendee. Kristine offered to contact Joy Smith, Manager of the Global Leadership Institute at Amazon via LinkedIn. We plan to reach out to Cameron's contact if Joy does not respond.
Next, Linda-Jean briefly reported on the leadership call on May 20th. Linda-Jean reported that these meetings with PLL leadership have been helpful, and she recommended to Jean as incoming President to try to organize quarterly meetings with committee chairs if possible.
We then moved to a discussion about ongoing progress with organizing our Communications and PR Committees, as well as a general update on upcoming webinars. Linda-Jean said she contacted John DiGilio about how best to pull together the Communications and PR Committees and how best to integrate all of our communication platforms. This will be an ongoing challenge for PLL in the coming year.
Linda-Jean reported that the Patent Research webinars, organized by Emily Florio, on June 12th and June 19th, were full.
Next, Linda-Jean asked if there was a membership report from Cameron, and Cameron stated there was nothing new to report.
Kristine then apprised the board members on the progress of the Procedures Manual. She has a few remaining individuals to contact regarding their updates, and then she will circulate the manual to the PLL Board for approval.
Our next agenda item concerned the Summit and funding for the morning and afternoon breaks. AALL will not allow financial support for these breaks, because any vendor wanting to support PLL must meet a financial threshold of donations to AALL at large.
Jean asked if PLL could be called upon to support the breaks.
Elaine stated that the cost would be approximately $8,000 to support both breaks. At last year's Summit, the cost was approximately $3,500 per break.
Linda-Jean reached out to a few law firms to see if they would sponsor a coffee break, but she acceded that this would probably not be a viable option.
Linda-Jean proposed we vote on supporting the Summit breaks. Elaine then moved that PLL will sponsor to coffee breaks for the Summit. Linda-Jean seconded the motion.
June 17th is the online deadline for Summit registration.
Linda-Jean asked if there was anything else left to report. Linda-Jean then reported that Sarah Mauldin is putting together a PLL guide to group meetings to help guide people through the annual meeting. The next deadline for the e-newsletter is June 14th.
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. EST. Our next board meting will be held on July 14th at 6:00 p.m. during the annual meeting. |
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Welcome New Members
Jose Camacho, Priory Solutions, Potomac Falls, VA
Penelope S. Gordon, Somerset, NJ
Kera Harkins, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, San Diego, CA
Bronwen Maxson, Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, Denver, CO
Abby Raddatz, Snell & Wilmer LLP, Phoenix, AZ
Charlotte Thomas, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, PC, Dallas, TX
Nicole Usiondek, Butzel Long, Detroit, MI
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