As a lawyer and management consultant, I founded my own law firm and helped hundreds of other lawyers manage career changes, business adjustments, and other career transitions. One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of my practice is helping lawyers stand on their own two feet or become self-employed. With so many lawyers and aspiring lawyers asking me for advice on how to start their own law firms, the issue deserves further discussion. Visit the WSBA Practice Management Discount Network for discounts on products and services you can use in your practice. Law firms can be complex and fast-paced organizations. With that in mind, you should focus on building systems to provide your clients with consistent, high-quality, and error-free legal work. Unfortunately, for many companies, their systems and procedures live in the minds of lawyers. There are many books on starting a law firm and expanding your practice. What sets it apart is the emphasis on the commercial aspect. It answers all the necessary questions (and more) that are important to create and grow a unique law firm business. This book covers in detail how much time you need and how you can best use it to grow your law firm. Many more lawyers are finding success with a virtual practice. This is a great option because it keeps your overhead low and allows you to determine how much space you need before you lock yourself into a long-term lease.

If you plan to reserve a physical space, give yourself a buffer zone and a calendar. A common schedule is to plan a room and rent money 6 to 12 months into your practice. Do what feels right for you. Also, remember that it`s never too early to network. If you plan to start your solo practice in six months, let people know about your plans now. Then, remind them closer to your official start date. These free guides are available online so you can learn more about practice management. You now have all the tools you need to develop a solid strategy and start your new business with confidence. Congratulations on becoming a legal entrepreneur! To do this, apply sound financial practices for your business.

This means: Check your fee structure. While you must engage in pro bono work, your practice cannot survive without paying clients. Review your rate structure and issue the invoices that are paid. Cash flow management is critical to the survival of your law firm. Even if you don`t know if and when you`ll leave your current job, there are several steps you can take to prepare for your inevitable departure. As with any large business, looking at every task that needs to be done at once can put you off to start. That`s why it`s important to divide a law firm`s startup tasks into phases or segments, starting with the necessary basics: Think about his: On December 23, a disgruntled lawyer named Stephanie was frustrated that the employee he had trained for so long had just resigned. “Listen. I just want to practice as a lawyer and maybe do some work on business development. I don`t want to take care of all the other things! In addition to being a PRS, think about potential referents in your existing and extended networks.

If you do family law, talk to counsellors. If you do tax law, let your accountant know. If you do personal injury work, contact this friend of the physiotherapist. However, if you are currently in a law firm, you should be wary of the rules for advising clients on your intention to open a solo practice. Let us start with Meehan v. Shaughnessy. (Don`t do it like Jerry Maguire and Bob Sugar did!) David Russman is a principal and founder of Russman Law, a general practice firm based in Boston, Massachusetts that focuses on civil and commercial litigation. He is also an associate professor of law at New England Law | Boston. As a new hire, if you start your career with a good understanding of the nuances measured during your first year of practice, you have a huge advantage in succeeding. Whether you work in a small rural community, a medium-sized law firm, or a large law firm in a big city or city, the principles and disciplines in this book will set you up for success. When you`re just starting out, be prepared to invest time and money to help you equip your new business. It`s important to understand what you need and then plan how you can pay for it.

The hard truth is that if you can`t get what you need, now is not the time to start your practice. Chapter 7 – How to Set Up Your New Workspace for Law Firms With so much to focus on, setting up a proper workspace is often overlooked when starting a law firm. But working at the dining table or on the couch may not be the best idea in the long run, especially when there are so many other options. When you start a practice, you have to spend money at the beginning – this is not optional. Based on our experience and data over the years, $3,000 is a good place to start, but $5,000 to $15,000 is more realistic when opening your first law firm. Costs depend on a variety of variables such as location, area of practice, advertising, etc. Don`t let incoming phone calls from potential customers be forwarded to voicemail. Hire a live carrier or pick up the phone yourself and be ready to be hired on the first incoming call. Remember not to give legal advice over the phone.

Listen to their story and invite them to the office for a consultation. You will increase your chances of being hired if you make an appointment at your office and demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field where they need your help. Make sure you have a great website and constantly update it with quality content. Post and publish a new article twice a month. In addition to a website, be active on at least two social media platforms. LinkedIn and Facebook are good places to start. Different social media platforms are suitable for different types of practice groups. Someone looking for an estate plan might find you on Facebook, while someone looking for a criminal defense attorney for a current DUI might do a Google search.