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| ICLE's
Monthly Mentor | November 2011 Edition |
This Month: Starting a Law Practice
FREE TOOLS AND TIPS to HELP YOU GET GOING |
If you have already or
are thinking about starting your own firm, you're not alone! For a variety of
reasons, more attorneys are venturing out on their own, even in today's challenging
economic climate. While running your own practice can be extremely rewarding,
it takes more than just legal skills and entrepreneurial spirit. Get the tricks
of the trade from ICLE's expert contributors who have been in your shoes and know
what it takes to succeed. The materials in this newsletter will help you become
an effective and productive law firm owner by illustrating how to get clients,
establish your firm and its procedures, select technology that works, and gain
confidence while meeting with clients.
TOOLS
TO GET YOU STARTED
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Get
Your Practice Off the Ground
The nuts and bolts of opening up your practice can be daunting, even for
those who have been practicing law for many years. This How-to-Kit will help you
navigate the process of setting up your firm from start to finish. Use our checklists,
sample policies, and forms to make sure all your bases are covered and establish
office procedures that work for you.
Build
a Successful Solo Practice
Hanging
out your shingle can be intimidating, but these 10 Top Tips will help you meet
the most common challenges head on! Get the secrets to managing your time, clients,
money, and professional relationships with ease.
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Use
Technology to Your Advantage
Effective use of technology is the key to making your new practice not only
survive, but thrive. From picking the right equipment and software to building
a successful firm website, this webcast will give you the tools you need to succeed.
Make
an Informed Decision
Deciding
to start your own practice is a huge decision, and it deserves a good deal of
thought. Use this chapter excerpt to make sure you weigh all of the important
factors, from possible sources of business to start-up expenses to skill in your
chosen practice area.
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| NEXT MONTH: Social Media |
Mentor Corner
Learn from the
Experience of ICLE's Expert Contributors
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TOO BASIC TO ASK
Getting
Clients Before You Even Have an Office
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![Contributor]() |
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Daniel
T. Geherin
Simon & Geherin PLLC
Ann
Arbor
Daniel T. Geherin is an attorney
at Simon & Geherin PLLC in Ann Arbor, MI. He specializes in criminal defense,
juvenile delinquency, drunk driving defense, and driver license restoration cases. | |
I started my career in California, where
I was a busy prosecutor with a reliable and steady government paycheck. However,
when I moved back to Michigan to become a criminal defense attorney, I immediately
realized I had no proven way of generating new clients. Sure, I attended every
professional function I could, meeting plenty of potential attorney referral sources.
But, if I wanted to build a practice—and put food on the table—I needed
to find a way to get new clients to call me. This was especially problematic because
I did not have office space, equipment, staff, or even a phone line. So, I did
what every new lawyer reading this should do: I improvised, and I begged. Read More
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WHAT I WISH I KNEW THEN
Looking at the Bigger Picture
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![Contributor]() |
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Nancy
M. Burger
Nancy M. Burger PLC
Ann Arbor
Nancy M. Burger has practiced as a solo practitioner in Ann Arbor since
1990. She specializes in the areas of real property and estate planning. | |
When I started my own firm, I remember
being inundated by logistical questions about equipment and office space. I rarely
had the time to step back and see how small day-to-day activities could affect
my long-term success. Here are a few of my lessons learned.
1. Don't be
afraid to ask for or offer help. Early in my career I was in court on a landlord-tenant
issue and didn't have a clue how to file a particular form. Another local attorney
must have seen the bewildered look on my face and assisted me. I will always remember
her kindness, and I now try to offer the same courtesy to others. Don't be afraid
to seek out a mentor for advice or encouragement, or simply call a more experienced
attorney when you need help.
2. Be nice. It’s a simple, but critical
concept. As an attorney and advocate, you need to get things done quickly and
efficiently for your client. It takes no time at all to be pleasant along the
way. A friendly attitude toward everyone, from court clerks, to secretaries, and
even the janitor will take you far. Remember that every person you meet is a potential
client—if you go out of your way to be nice, people will remember you.
3.
Referrals are your lifeline! Join professional organizations outside of your profession,
think creatively about other possible referral services, and ask around to find
opportunities to get involved. After about ten years of practicing real estate
law, I finally decided to join the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors as an "Affiliate"
member. I attended meetings, joined committees, and taught continuing education
seminars, and my referrals from Realtors increased dramatically. You should also
ask other lawyers for referrals, pass out your cards, and talk about the services
you provide. And most important, when you do get a referral, remember to send
a "thank you" to the source—it makes a huge difference.
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Links to free tools will remain active
until 11/24/11.
ICLE provides these copyrighted materials to you, the new Michigan
lawyer, for your own educational and law practice use. We hope you find them useful.
Any commercial use or re-publication of these materials is strictly prohibited.
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© 2011 by The Institute of Continuing Legal
Education
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