Here is the link: http://www.alrpra.com/social-media-marketing-public-relations-systems-management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  (Chicago) November 30, 2010
For further information contact: Nick Augustine (312) 854-7149 / nick@alrpra.com
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EVENT – SCHEDULED APPEARANCE on Law Talk Radio webcast:
“Terry Cullen and his Career in Crocodilian and Reptile Research and Conservancy”
On Saturday, December 4, 2010, world renown crocodilian and reptile expert, Terry Cullen will share his life’s work and commitment to wildlife and ecosystem education and conservation.

WHO – Terry Cullen is considered among the top experts in the world in the study and care of crocodilians and reptiles, and has worked with hundreds of species in his career.  His work has allowed us new and surprising glimpses into the actual lives and characters of many heretofore misunderstood or mischaracterized animals, the Cuban Crocodile being a prime example.

SUBJECT MATTER – Join us on an upcoming special event on a Chicago-based Law Talk Radio webcast where Terry Cullen will speak openly about the situation relating to the brutal seizure and holocaust of animals taken from Cullen’s proper care.  We ask you to listen to Terry Cullen’s comments regarding this tragic series of events.  During this broadcast we will educate people about Terry Cullen’s life-long devotion to research and the conservation of species and their habitats.

This broadcast on ALR/PRA Law Talk Radio airs 12/04/2010 at 11:00 am CT (12ET/9PT) via http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alrpra <- keeps archived links / also available -> www.alrpra.com.

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For interviews regarding Terry Cullen, contact Nick Augustine’s office at (312) 854-7149  or mailto:nick@alrpra.com

© 2010 ALR/PRA, Inc.

For further information contact: Nick Augustine (312) 854-7149 / nick@alrpra.com

Online Law Practice Management Instruction in marketing, technology, finance and management

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Webinar-based law practice management course material will be taught by The Law Practice Management School beginning January 5, 2011.  One hour classes meet online each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm Central Time.  Course materials are designed to offer lawyers pragmatic law practice management tools.

Course subjects are split by week each month in the following order: marketing, technology, finance and management.  Periodic guest lecturers will share professional experience and advice on core topics.  Courses are offered in traditional academic quarters.

The online webinar platform makes attendance and participation easy.  Weekly lectures are recorded and available for later use and review.  Quarterly tuition is competitively priced to make The Law Practice Management School affordable to lawyers in need of practice management education.

The Law Practice Management School is a private organization funded solely through course tuition.  Instruction and administration are provided by ALR/PRA, Inc., a national law practice management agency headquartered in Chicago.

ALR/PRA President and founder of The Law Practice Management School, Nick Augustine, earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications and Rhetorical Studies from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School.  Augustine is active in the Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association and also writes a weekly column for “Attorneys In Transition” a career resource published by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company.

The Law Practice Management School is currently taking applications for classes beginning January, 2011.  Interested applicants should send their inquiries through the contact portal on http://www.alrpra.com/.

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For interviews regarding The Law Practice Management School, and for information and applications, contact Nick Augustine at (312) 894-7149 or mailto:nick@alrpra.com

© 2010 ALR/PRA, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  (Chicago) November 4, 2010

For further information contact: Nick Augustine (312) 854-7149 / nick@alrpra.com

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event – Scheduled Appearance on Law Talk Radio webcast:

“Networking Do’s and Don’ts – James E. Thompson, Esq.”
On Thursday, November 4, 2010 Legal Marketing Coach, Jim Thompson, will appear to talk about networking do’s and don’ts.
WHO – Attorney James E. Thompson is well-known for helping attorneys get on track to earning more clients through simple cost-effective activities.  Link to web: www.midwestconsultants.net Link to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/getclientsnow?ref=ts
SUBJECT MATTER – Attorney James E. Thompson is a regular guest on the Law Talk Radio programs.  On this episode Jim will address common mistakes made in networking.  We will explore 1) identifying the best networking event opportunities; 2) making friends first; 3) short term follow up; and 4) developing trust and reputation.
The broadcast on ALR/PRA Law Talk Radio airs 11/04/2010 at 3:00 pm CDT (4ET/1PT) via http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alrpra <- keeps archived links / also available -> www.alrpra.com.

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For interviews regarding Attorney James E. Thompson and law firm coaching generally, contact J. Nick Augustine at (312) 854-7149 or mailto:nick@alrpra.com

© 2010 ALR/PRA, Inc.

ABA ethical rules recommend at least fifty hours of pro bono service per year.  The Illinois Pro Bono Reporting Rule, codified, Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(f) requires Illinois attorneys to answer to the ARDC’s questions about pro bono work and relative financial contributions on the annual registration statement.

Locally, the Chicago Bar Association and Chicago Bar Foundation celebrate their 6^th year sponsoring Pro Bono Week.  Daniel M. Kotin and Jody Adler of the CBA offer a short video discussing pro bono opportunities in the city.  Both the ABA and the CBA offer websites with pro bono opportunities.

Sara Elizabeth Dill, a criminal defense and immigration attorney in Chicago and Miami, serves as an ABA Commissioner on Immigration and Co-Chair of the ABA’s Criminal Justice-Immigration Committee and regularly accepts pro bono cases representing trafficking victims and political refugees.

“Pro bono work is a vital part of the profession, and is more than just donating money or volunteering at a clinic 2-3 times per year.  While those actions are valuable, lawyers have a responsibility to actually take individual cases and donate their time and experience to help individuals navigate the increasingly complex legal system.  Pro bono service also benefits the lawyer, in gaining trial or other experience, and the rewards in helping someone who has nowhere left to turn.  The ABA has a number of ways for lawyers to get involved and volunteer to take cases, and I would urge every lawyer to accept at least one pro bono case per year.”

Nick Augustine, Strategy Consultant and Publicist at ALR/PRA, Inc., is pleased to announce the agency’s volunteering on DLA Piper’s pro bono project.  Here is a press release regarding the Woodlawn Community project.  Greentarget strategic communications is the public relations and communications firm working on this project.

Finally, ALR/PRA’s Young Jurist Project offers the opportunity for 3L’s and recent law graduates to work on pro bono cases involving such matters as clemency applications for wrongly convicted and/or rehabilitated individuals who were convicted of crimes.  Civil law opportunities exist for young jurists as well.

For more information about pro bono and learning opportunities please seek out the assistance of your local bar association or any of the groups listed in this article.  Service to the community begins locally and there are so many opportunities available if you look close to home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  (Chicago) October 25, 2010

For further information contact: Nick Augustine (312) 854-7149 / nick@alrpra.com

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event – Scheduled Appearance on Law Talk Radio webcast:

“Attorney/Client Business Relationships – James E. Thompson, Esq.”
On Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Legal Marketing Coach, Jim Thompson, will appear to talk about attorney/client relationships from his perspective as a former practicing attorney and as a client.
WHO – Attorney James E. Thompson is well-known for helping attorneys get on track to earning more clients through simple cost-effective activities.  Link to web: www.midwestconsultants.net Link to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/getclientsnow?ref=ts
SUBJECT MATTER – Attorney James E. Thompson is a regular guest on the Law Talk Radio programs.  On this episode Jim will address attorney/client relationships.  As a former practicing trial lawyer Jim has perspective as both an attorney and as a client.  We will explore 1) Impressions on what matters in attorney/client relationships; 2) The attorney selection process and your checklist; 3) Setting, managing and exceeding expectations; and 4) Managing fees, costs and expenses.
The broadcast on ALR/PRA Law Talk Radio airs 10/26/2010 at 3:00 pm CDT (4ET/1PT) via http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alrpra <- keeps archived links / also available -> www.alrpra.com.

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For interviews regarding Attorney James E. Thompson and law firm coaching generally, contact J. Nick Augustine at (312) 854-7149 or mailto:nick@alrpra.com

© 2010 ALR/PRA, Inc.

Lawyers:  Read the following short article and think about what a client might experience when they have an unanticipated legal problem.  From the person who answers your phone to the professional who is mindful of the patient/client’s valuable time, here is

Today while at a luncheon on law firm financials (exciting stuff) I realized that I lost a filing on my front tooth when attempting to take a bite of a sandwich with bread you could use as a weapon.  I just wish I could remember the name of the catering company so I never use them.  Sitting there I realized that I hadn’t been to a dentist in several years and had no idea who to call or what to do.  I certainly had to do something quickly because clients don’t like their marketing and PR guy to have a chipped front tooth!

Being a savvy consumer I first went to the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce website to find a dentist in my neighborhood on the north side of Chicago.  I searched their membership list for “Dentist” and the search revealed a few names, one of which I recognized, Robert S. Wier D.D.S..  When I called Dr. Wier’s receptionist was very friendly and asked relevant questions to identify the type of service I needed to fix my tooth.  I told Dr. Wier’s staff that I really needed immediate attention because I have several events this week and cannot meet people with my bad tooth.  They were very kind to fit me in at 4:00 (2 hours after my original phone call).

Not being sure what the cost of treatment would be I made a couple more calls and was surprised by the other dental offices.  One of the offices said the first time they could see me was two days from now – not good enough.  Another office told me they couldn’t even tell me the price of an exam and the doctor would have to see me before I even knew what their treatment options were – again, unacceptable.

At 3:00 I left the office, hopped a Brown Line train and headed home to see Dr. Weir for my 4:00 appointment.  When I arrived I noticed a Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce decal prominently placed in the front window.  The office and staff were friendly and I was barely done filling out the new patient documents when the hygienist called my name and I was off to the races.  After a quick X-ray I was taken into a waiting room where Dr. Weir met me, sized up the damage and repaired my tooth with a filing and then shaped the tooth to look as good as new.

I was out the door by 4:30 and the bill was a fraction of what I expected to pay!  I told the staff and Dr. Weir how I came to find them by searching for a listing on the chamber web site and recognized Dr. Wier’s name from living in Lincoln Square.  As I was walking home from Dr. Wier’s office I thought about how pleasant the experience was when otherwise I was very stressed by the unexpected dental emergency.

As a satisfied consumer I am now writing about my experience and sharing my positive thoughts on the Chamber Facebook page and on Yelp to encourage referrals and let local residents know about Dr. Weir.  Even though many legal services are more complex than a filling repair, the experience of the consumer can be just as satisfying.  Take a look at your own office and consider where you are listed and who answers the phone.