Why This Year’s Small Firms Conference Is Like NASCAR and Why You Should Attend

BY DEIRDRE SADLER-CREW DIRECTOR OF SMALL FIRMS AND LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT

The Small Firms section is the largest in the Delaware State Bar Association and represents the vital and growing segment of Delaware’s legal community. The S mall Firms and Solo Practitioners Conference will take place on May 5 at Dover Motor Speedway and will help attorneys address the unique challenges they face and to learn from experts and peers about running an effective, efficient, and sustainable practice. The conference will include a ride along experience with driving experts of the Dover Motor Speedway! Sit back and hold tight as you ride shotgun in the passenger seat (or back seat) with a professional driver for three laps of “Monster Mile.”

1 Like NASCAR, the Small Firms Conference (aka “the Grand Prix”) has the best engagement and interaction. Not only will attendees have the ability to work closely with instructors, but also with vendors who will give you things.

2 The conference’s goal, like NASCAR, is to avoid crashes. Small firms and solo practitioners often find themselves in difficult situations due to their size and this conference focuses on some of the best ways to stay safe.

3 This year’s conference will be held at Dover Motor Speedway and will feature a ride along with a professional on the track as part of the CLE program price!

4 Like NASCAR, the conference is always forward-looking. Each year, the cars and the drivers stretch the limits of their sport and continually look to ways of improving. Similarly, the small firms conference is never satisfied with the status quo and will look toward what lawyers can do better.

5 It’s exciting. From the rallying cry of “Drivers, start your engines” to the waving of the checkered flag, the race, like the conference, is packed with all sorts of emotional excitement.

6 It’s for everybody. Just because you aren’t a small firm or solo practitioner right now, you’d be amazed at the number of large firm and government attorneys who opt to go the small firm route at some point in their career. There’s no harm in attending to get some good education and CLE credits (and to ride in a race car).

7 There is a unique camaraderie in small firms gatherings much like the NASCAR races. Racing is one of the only sports where fans of a particular driver, like Jeff Gordon, can still be friendly with fans of Tony Stewart. Similarly, you will find people who understand your concerns and can even give you pointers on how to work on things.

8 The conference is diverse. Just as NASCAR has short tracks, superspeedways, dirt tracks and asphalt, men and women superstars, the small firms conference will have variety in presenters, vendors, and attendees. As they say, variety is the spice of life.

9 A glimpse of celebrity. Every fan hopes to spy Petty, Earnhardt, Jr., or Danika Patrick when they walk among the crowds. At this conference, you might just get a chance to shake the hand of the Small Firms chair, Jimmy Chong!

10 Neither is ideal on Zoom. This conference, like the race, is better experienced right in the middle of the action and not through a little rectangle. So, register now and do not miss the excitement!