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Fifteen Years of Memories With Law School Friends
As I write this, I’m sitting in the penthouse lounge of my apartment building outside Washington, D.C. Through the window before me, I see the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol building, the Jefferson Memorial, and a wide sweep of the Potomac River. When I started law school at Oak Brook 15 years ago, this was the city I had in mind — the seat of legal power, where important decisions are made and where important people make them. But priorities change over 15 years. A few days ago, I biked downriver to meet up with Jordana Ward (’03B) for lunch. I had last seen Jordana in Georgia where we and Heidi Miller (’05B) were part of a surprise birthday party for Jamie Long (’03A) . Just a month earlier, in July, Jordana, Heidi and I, with Mark Bigger (’97B) , spent a week or so exploring the mountains, islands, and rainforests of Ecuador. Between those trips was the annual Oak Brook Alumni Association meeting in Lake Tahoe, which I’ve attended every year since 2008. It’s always great to spend time with good friends and to chat with the more rarely encountered alumni who attend. I had hoped to see Chris Schweickert (’98B) and my classmate Kaitlin Showerman Schweickert (’07B) , but their firstborn was due that week. However, we had many opportunities to meet up in June, and took advantage of it with barbecues, neighborhood runs, and coffee.
I’m in DC now due to an opportune need from another classmate, Tyler Hochstetler (’07B) , for extra legal help. I spent all of May in rural Virginia with the Hochstetlers, drafting wills and trusts, helping out at Mennonite move-ins and meetings, forming nonprofits, creating brick art and origami with the kids, and even bouncing up to Pennsylvania to assist Tyler’s representation of the Old Order Amish in a tax exemption hearing. Among other detours, we also spent a weekend in West Virginia visiting Dan Beasley (’07B) and his family. The three of us, Dan, Tyler, and me, have met up nearly every autumn since law school, usually around the annual Federalist Society convention in D.C., where we frequently bump into other alumni. On my way out to Virginia, I stopped in Texas for a brief visit with Katie Kerschner Fisher (’09B) and her family. I hadn’t seen them since a previous visit to Tahoe; it was good to reminisce about our days running the Baby Bar boot camp and putting stressful students through the wringer (for their own good, of course). When I first enrolled at Oak Brook, I had great doubts about whether it was right for me. What I never expected was that so many of my friendships would come out of a correspondence school where the whole class meets up less than once a year.
JOEL BARKER ’07B
In part, that closeness arose from my classmates, an extraordinary collection of fine people that I am honored to have studied, argued, spent late nights, eaten countless desserts, laughed, cried, and stressed out with. The Baby Bar was a bonding moment of crisis; the untimely death and subsequent funeral in Oregon of our classmate Landon Brownell (’07B) the following year brought us even closer together. Among the alumni I met in Oregon were Seth O’Dell (’96B) and Jeremy Swanson (’97B) , who later employed me when I moved to the Oak Brook mecca of Bakersfield. I initially took up residence in Landon’s old digs at Win Eaton’s (’99A) house, before combining with our classmate Sam Van Eerden (’07B) and our esteemed contracts TA, Paul Harman (’04A) , to get our own bachelor pad. While I didn’t stay in Bakersfield, the friendships made there have prompted many return visits. Continued on Page 2 ...
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The realm of law is constantly changing with updates and revisions on policies, laws, rules, and regulations. But amidst the changing legal landscape, law office management is also evolving. Law firm management consists of marketing, client relations, finances, hiring, staff management, and law firm management. Whether you’re starting your own firm or a seasoned professional, here are three tips to improve office management and set your firm up for success. Create a business plan. One of the first things you want to do is create a formal business plan that outlines the firm’s goals; financial profit plan; what makes your firm stand out from competitors; and how you tend to showcase strengths and differences to potential clients. It’s also beneficial to include how compensation works at the firm — even if you’re a solo lawyer. Develop a procedures manual. To keep the firm running as smoothly, consistently, and efficiently as possible, create a procedures manual that clearly states how things should be handled at the office. You can outline the workdays for lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, accountants, and office administrators so everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and whom to go to if someone has questions or concerns. Ask your team to outline how specific processes work to ensure everything is streamlined. Creating a thorough procedures manual will also simplify the onboarding process for new employees — making the firm grow more quickly. Focus on client experience. Business is personal because you’re working with clients and their personal matters. Because of this, it’s imperative that you set a high standard for client experience and improve your customer service skills and strategies. Provide training and workshops to help your team focus more on their clients’ journeys, how to know what they want out of your services, and how you can deliver these services seamlessly. If your clientele enjoys your services and the time you’ve spent to ease their concerns and provide a beneficial outcome, they will be more likely to use your services in the future and refer others to your firm. WITH THESE 3 STRATEGIES IMPROVE YOUR FIRM’S OFFICE MANAGEMENT
LOOKING FOR NEW CASES AND LEADS? 3 Ways to Gain More Clients
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And not just visits to Bakersfield. My Oak Brook friends are responsible for my first trip to Washington, D.C., during law school; that post-bar exam cruise to Mexico; multiple trips to Hawaii; road trips in the magnificent deserts of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah; and global tours to Reykjavik, Dubai, Saigon, Singapore, Cabo, Costa Rica, and elsewhere. I’m grateful for the education I received at Oak Brook; indeed, I had few other options, and may not have made it elsewhere. Besides enabling me to pass the bar exam and take on occasional legal engagements, the mental sharpening that law school — and my classmates — provided has been an invaluable asset, even in other lines of work. Yet the benefit that I most cherish from Oak Brook is not the degree; it’s the enduring friendships that I’ve made, the people that I’ve spent untold hours, days, weeks, and months with: sharing the joys of an excellent menu, the experience of a beautiful location, the piquancy of a stimulating conversation, the comfort of companionship during times of loss and sorrow, the challenges of the past, celebrations of the present, and aspirations for the future.
These tips are guidelines to help your firm achieve its goals and more effectively assist your clients. Modify these strategies to fit your needs, vision, and desired
–Joel Barker ‘07B
outcome. With teamwork, effective communication,
confidence, and a willingness to learn and develop, your firm’s office management will improve in more ways than one and set you up for success.
Joel Barker is a proud member of the ’07B class. He works in both tech and law, and enjoys problem-solving to improve business operations. In his free time, Joel bikes, travels, and grapples with big ideas. He currently resides in Arlington, VA.
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Every law firm wants more and better cases — that’s why the competition in marketing is so fierce and cutthroat. Your prospective clients have many options regarding which firm to handle their case. So, how do you make sure they find you and use your services? Here are three strategies you can use to gain more clients. 1. Use SEO. According to a 2017 Legal Trends Report, 37% of clients use online search engines to find law firms in their area. Therefore, it’s vital that your firm has a strong online presence. Create a website that’s easy to navigate, has informative infographics, and pages and blog posts that highlight your services. Ensure you’re writing about content that pertains to your services and what your clients and prospective clients are searching and asking for. Use specific headlines and tags to ensure your website and blog posts will be the first to pop up on a search engine. 2. Encourage and embrace referrals. The best form of marketing is through word-of-mouth. Research shows that 62% of clients get a referral from someone they know and trust when hiring an attorney. If your clientele enjoys the services you and your firm provide, they are more likely to refer others to you. To
encourage recommendations, offer a gift or discount when clients recommend you to their friends and family. You can even add a page to your firm’s website that explains the referral process and makes it easier for them to connect with you. Word-of-mouth marketing is free advertising, so take advantage of it when you can. 3. Consider using directories. Directories help potential clients find your firm easily, build brand awareness, enhance your reach, and more. Consider adding your law firm to multiple directories to increase your chance of reaching more clients. Avvo, Justia, Lawyers.com, FindLaw, and HireMeLegal.org are some of the top directories for lawyers. The best way to understand which option is best for you is to outline your firm’s business goals, figure out what makes your services unique, and ask your current clients what attracted them to your firm and what they were looking for during their initial search. These are only a few ways to get new clients for your firm. With patience and trial and error, you will find the best method for you, your team, and the firm. Paralegal Certificate “I absolutely recommend the paralegal course to any high schooler or young person interested in law. It gives you practical insight into various disciplines and aspects of the law, which is foundational knowledge for wherever your life may take you. Frankly, I recommend OBCL’s Paralegal Program for every person because it makes you a better citizen, and it empowers you regardless of where God calls you in the future.” – Gabe W. Do you know a student nearing the end of high school and considering what to pursue next? Tell them about OBCL’s paralegal program! It provides flexibility to learn about law (and its everyday application) while simultaneously exploring career opportunities. The paralegal program is an excellent foundation if you choose the legal arena, business field, or full-time ministry. Learn how this one-year training will prepare you to enter the workforce successfully. Paralegal Program Admissions • Online Admissions Process: Very similar to the JD but has fewer academic requirements. All that is needed is the English Composition CLEP test or six credits of English from a college. • NALA Exam: All students who meet OBCL’s graduation requirements qualify for the Certified Paralegal Exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants to become nationally certified paralegals.
Learn About Our Programs
Juris Doctor Degree For individuals who wish to practice law, enter politics, or advance their business career, the Juris Doctor Degree program provides an excellent education. OBCL’s Juris Doctor program is open to all qualifying students who have completed high school and meet the pre-legal requirements outlined by the California Bar. An undergraduate degree is not required. Those who successfully complete OBCL’s JD program are eligible to sit for the California Bar exam. After passing the CA Bar, graduates can pursue licensing options in other state and federal jurisdictions. “When I was in law school …” stories are captivating and inspiring. And sharing them might be the gentle nudge someone needs to enroll in law school. But what are the enrollment requirements? Below are the major updates in the past few years. Juris Doctor Admissions • Online Admissions Process: Create a JD Applicant Account at OBCL.edu. (Now an applicant can keep all the “paperwork “ in one place!) • LSAT Requirement: This provides some standard evaluation between applicants with varying undergraduate/pre-legal education. You will want to create an account on LSAC.org and select an LSAT test date. (Offered once a month. Must register six weeks in advance.) How to prepare? Check out Khan Academy for free study resources!
• Tuition: $4,500 per year. There are a few extra fees, bringing the total cost to about $5,000 — considering the income potential as a paralegal, this is a great return on your investment.
• Tuition: $10,000 per year. This is an all-inclusive bundle — no additional fees for registration, online legal research, electives, etc.
To access more resources, scan the QR code.
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OBCL Alumnus Matt McReynolds (’99B) was a home-schooled kid in Georgia who dreamed of practicing law. He fought through the challenge of being legally blind and the adjustment of moving to California to become a leader in defending constitutional rights in court and the press. Such noted outlets as the Associated Press, BBC, Radio Free Europe, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times have used content from Matt, and he continues to write and interview with other outlets and periodicals around the world. Many of us remember Matt from law school when he was listed on the OBCL prayer chain for medical issues related to his eyesight. Ultimately, Matt was declared legally blind, but that never stopped him from making an impact in the practice of law with his characteristic cheerfulness and competence. Matt won the prestigious Pew Writing Award from Alliance Defending Freedom during law school. That ultimately helped propel him to a job defending religious freedom and free speech with the Pacific Justice Institute based in Sacramento, California. Matt has become a mainstay in the First Amendment legal community with his experience in fighting for everything from the right to witness in public places to senior citizens’ ability to hold worship services in their senior living communities. During COVID-19, Matt was often a source for pastors and other faith community members to navigate regulations. He recently sat down with Laura Barth and shared some of his favorite stories, including that of a young Catching Up with Matt McReynolds
public school boy who wanted to clothe the homeless. The school district tried to shut down his project because he quoted Jesus in his flyer promoting the project: “Whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me.” (Matthew 25:40) Pacific Justice Institute helped the boy continue his project without jeopardizing his ability to live his faith openly. For those of us who knew him in law school, Matt remains willing to give good advice, a kind word and help to those in need. To the friends and clients who have known him since those days, he hasn’t changed. And to those who follow his court cases and many articles, he continues to impact the lives of ordinary citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights.
Matt, his wife Sarah, and their son live in the Sacramento area. You can learn more about what he does at Pacific Justice Institute at PacificJustice.org.
Early snowfall in Yosemite. To see more stunning views, check out alumnus Gabe Waddell on Instagram at @gabe.waddell . PHOTO FEATURE
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SAVE THE DATE!
Copyright law in the U.S. is confusing. A brand has the right to protect its intellectual property, but the law also allows for “fair use” of copyrighted material under certain circumstances. So, what exactly is fair — and who decides? The fair use doctrine enables commentary, criticism, reporting, research, or teaching. Without it, the news could not run a short clip on a movie, and your child couldn’t quote a novel in their book report. Fair use states that copyrighted material should not be duplicated but can be used for illustrative or critical purposes. There are four factors courts consider when deciding whether a particular use is “fair.” They are the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of material used, and the effect on the copyrighted work’s value. These criteria are less complicated than they sound, but how the courts interpret them can be very complex. Purpose and character of use refer to whether the copyrighted work is used for commercial or educational purposes. Consider a university, for example: Using Mickey Mouse on university clothing would be a copyright infringement, but showing a clip of Mickey Mouse in class to discuss the history of animation would be fair use. The nature of the copyrighted work generally refers to whether the material is already published. For instance, you cannot publish excerpts from private letters and declare fair use. Amount or substantiality reflects how much of the material a person uses. While there is no strict rule, courts will likely view a 30-second clip differently from a 30-minute one. Finally, the effect on the market asks whether the use will give people less need to purchase the original work. For example, fewer people will likely buy a book if half of it is published online; one paragraph won’t have the same effect. When deciding whether something is fair use, courts must consider all four factors, meaning applying the law can be tricky. As a broad rule, entertainment and advertising purposes do not fall under fair use, but criticizing, reporting on, or teaching about a work does. Still, many well-intended people have discovered that their so-called fair use wasn’t so fair after all. So, consult a copyright lawyer for guidance if you have any doubts about being on the right side of the law. Fair Is Fair THE MEANING BEHIND ‘FAIR USE’ COPYRIGHT LAWS
The OBCL Alumni Association is having its annual Tahoe gathering Aug. 11–13, 2023 . Have You Activated Your Alumni Account? Did you know you can access transcripts, see job postings, and purchase swag via the alumni platform? To activate, scan the QR code or call Laura at 559.650.7755.
All accounts activated by Jan. 31 will be entered into a drawing for an OBCL hoodie!
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” PSALM 46:10
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7650 N Palm Ave., Suite 101B Fresno, CA 93711 559.650.7755 • OCBL.edu
1 Fifteen Years of Memories 2 3 Tips to Improve Office Management 3 Are You Optimizing SEO? Learn About Our Programs 4 Catching Up with Matt McReynolds Photo Feature 5 Mark Your Calendars! Have You Activated Your Alumni Account? Is It Copyright Violation or Fair Use? 6 Alumni News Inside This Issue
Wedding Bells (top) : Congratulations to Rebekah Millard (’03B) on her marriage to Michael Schultheiss on Aug. 6. Alumni News
New Arrivals (lower right) : On Aug. 24, Chris (’98B) and Kaitlin (’07B) Schweickert welcomed their first child, a son, Theodore Ian, into the world.
WA Admitee: Jeremy Wang (’14B) is the newest OBCL alumnus to be admitted to the Washington State Bar following his three years as a CA attorney.
Representing the People: Andrew Mathews (’11B) ran a successful re- election campaign and will continue to serve as a Minnesota state senator.
Law Practice (lower left) : Former prosecutors Chris Walsh (’99B) and Kenny Nguyen launched a criminal defense and personal injury practice in Folsom and Nevada County. To learn more, check out WalshNguyen.com (their logo is very creative!).
Do you have some news you’d like to share with the OBCL Alumni? Send the message to Laura at laura.barth@obcl.edu.
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