Re: Going Solo

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JF, have you graduated from law school yet?

On 10/23/06, JF wrote:
> To answer your question about sharing office space as the "only way to
> go", the big advantage, as was said by others, is that you have people
> to bounce ideas off of (and vice versa). This is invaluable. On the
> other hand, you will be competing with these people for a small amount
> of business, unless of course you're with people who don't practice
> your areas, which would be great.
>
> Personally, I like sharing space with non-lawyers. There's no other
> lawyers, so no competition, and people who share your office space
> give you A LOT of respect, always coming to you with their clients'
> issues. Find a real estate broker office, or accounting office, or
> mortgage broker, or chiropractor, or whatever type of professional(s)
> you think can help you. Of course, make sure that these professionals
> are successful themselves so there's enough activity to overflow to
> you (a starving artist, for example, probably wouldn't get you much
> business).
>
> It's hard to say what's better, but I would limit my choices to a
> lawyer's suite where you have a unique practice area, or office
> sharing with appropriate (and BUSY) professionals.
>
>
> On 10/23/06, JF wrote:
>> Here's some advertising/marketing ideas (glad there's someone
>> willing to listen):
>>
>> 1. As Carol said, informational pamphlets. Cheap and effective.
>> Check your local bar association.
>>
>> 2. Also check your bar association(s) for legal referral programs.
>>
>> 3. Join Hyatt legal plans, Signature legal plan, and ARAG. These are
>> legal insurance companies that don't pay a lot, but they produce
>> good clients who usually give you repeat business. It's free to
>> them, so why not? If you conduct a closing for them, for example,
>> they'll almost always follow up with a will, since they don't pay
>> for it. Just keep on top of them. Again, persistence.
>>
>> 4. I don't like yellow pages advertising, but if you do it, make
>> sure you're in the front. One trick that's worked is to list your
>> self as "Attorney so-and-so". That way, you're name will be with
>> the "A's (the only problem being that many yellow pages companies
>> have caught on to this and won't allow it). If your first name
>> happens to begin with "A", then you can list yourself that way. You
>> don't need a big add, but you should display the type of law you
>> practice prominently. If you state "ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER - John
>> Smith", you will obtain some estate planning clients. If you
>> state "JOHN SMITH - Estate Planning Lawyer, you'll get people
>> looking for John Smith. In other words, nobody. Personally, I think
>> your money would be better spent with a small ad in the local
>> newspaper, because you have a better target audience with less of a
>> financial commitment.
>>
>> 5. Consider AARP's legal panel, which is a referal program even
>> though they won't call it that. It's a little pricey (about $600.00
>> a year), and you get a lot of elderly people looking for free
>> advice, but you do pick up some good work, and the good clients tend
>> to refer you to all of their friends.
>>
>> 6. Internet advertising seems to work. Do a lawyer search for your
>> practice area and town and see what sites come up (findlaw being one
>> example). Then, join that site, if it's in the budget.
>>
>> 7. Do be careful in taking cases other lawyers don't want. These
>> are usually dog cases that can kill you. I don't think they lead to
>> good cases, either. If they did, one of two things will happen: 1.
>> the referring lawyer would want the case, or 2. You would take the
>> case and earn the reputation of a client-stealer.
>>
>> 8. If you do rent space with other lawyers, find a suite where
>> nobody practices in your area. Then, the referrals will be
>> legitimate.
>>
>> 9. There's no substitute for networking & volunteering.
>>
>> 10. Run a seminar. If you can team up with another professional (a
>> real estate agent, financial planner, CPA, etc.), all the better,
>> because you'll be forging another relationship.
>>
>> 10. Finally, I've found it incredibly easy to get published. Call
>> your local paper and ask to write a guest column. Many small papers
>> are always looking for something to print. Writing an article for
>> the general public is a lot easier than writing something for a
>> legal journal, because you'll be writing about basics rather than
>> some scholarly law-review type article. Being published is free and
>> effective.
>>
>> 11. All of the above: all the clients you gain will refer you,
>> assuming you give good service (unfortunately, many people don't
>> know good service when they see it, but this problem is unavoidable).
>>
>> 12. Whatever area of law you concentrate in, tell everyone willing
>> to listen that you're an expert. Have a big mouth. Of course, make
>> sure to back it up!
>>
>> Good luck, Solo to be, and keep us informed And btw what state are
>> you in?
>>
>> On 10/23/06, Solo to be... wrote:
>>> I've heard consistent references to Foonberg's book, which I've
>>> just ordered. I look forward to reading it. In your opinion, is
>>> sharing office the space the (only) way to go? Also, what kinds
>> of
>>> advertising, if any, do you reccomend to spread the word that I've
>>> gone solo? A mailer, add in the bar journal, etc.?