If you haven't started your law firm yet, I'll let you in on a little secret. The hard part isn't getting started, the hard part is managing the firm when you start to get really busy. And, I'll be honest with you, if you do the stuff that I've been talking about here, particularly with respect to law firm internet marketing, you will be busy.
See, when you start to get busy, then you have to be organized. You have to have a system in place to make sure you don't forget anything. And, trust me, you'll forget something a few times before you really get serious about putting a system in place (I know from personal experience).
For me, part of that system is managing my case load, managing my contacts, and managing what happens every day with my clients. I was looking for a place where I could store all of my information in an online "case" file and have it accessible to me (and eventually my staff) anywhere I was. And, I wanted a way to be able to look at a case at any time and immediately know what was happening, what had happened in the past, and what was next.
The firm I rent space has something like that set up. I can't remember what it's called, but I know it is extremely expensive. I wanted something like that, but something that didn't require a network, or IT people, or any big learning curve (remember, starting a law firm is your chance to streamline whatever you want to do). And then I found Highrise, which is set up to do all of the things I've said.
I only signed up for Highrise last week, but I can already sense that it's something I'm going to use for a long time. First, it's really easy to use. Second, it can do all of the things I need it to do (see above for a rundown). And third, it's set up in a way that I can add users as I add staff to only a minimal increase in expenses (I think for up to 15 people it's only $50/month).
One of the coolest things about Highrise is that you can set it up so that people can leave notes on a particular case, and everyone can see them. You can also attach documents, create tasks, and calendar important dates. It's a great way to create an electronic "case file" that anyone can then use.
The important part for me now, and for you, is to come up with a system to handle every file and every case so that everything is done the same - efficiently, effectively, and so when you hire someone new they can learn the system. And to do this, you need to write everything down, step by step.
I know, I know, it sucks. And it takes a lot of time. And it takes a little tweaking every now and then. But trust me, when you start to get busy, you are going to wish you had something set up to manage the information you are receiving on a daily basis, to manage the cases you have going, and to set up new ones.
If you have some time, take a look at Highrise. If you're starting a law firm you don't have to necessarily go there first, but it's definitely a great tool to check out.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Starting a Law Firm | Criminal Defense Addition
Starting a law firm is a lot of fun. And I think starting a criminal defense law firm is even more fun. First, the work is much more fun. Where else can you hear stories ranging from a fight for gold teeth to someone falling asleep at a poker table, getting dealt twice in a row, and then getting accused of cheating? No where else, that's where.
But, if you are going to go into criminal defense, you need to know a couple of things. It's possible to go out there and start a law firm right out of law school, but it's almost impossible to do it well. See, part of being a good criminal attorney is having the gumption (others would say balls) to stand up and say "f-you prosecutor, your offer sucks, and we're taking this to trial," when you know you have a shitty case. And it also just takes some good old fashioned experience.
There are several ways to get this experience, some more readily available than others. And, today is your lucky day, because I'm going to talk about them.
For example, I'm a DUI attorney. I go to as many DUI CLEs as I can. I was recently certified in field sobriety testing (this means I've got the exact same training the cops get) and up next is probably breath test certification. And when the heavy hitters get together and talk about DUI, I make sure I show up.
I'm also a trial attorney, through and through. And trust me when I say this is a learned craft. You can never practice enough. In the last couple months I've taken two CLEs that were geared toward improving trial skills. And they were interactive. One made me about as uncomfortable as I've ever been (I had to give an opening statement to a "jury" and I couldn't move eye contact from one juror to the next without first touching that person - it was as awkward as it sounds) but made me a better trial attorney.
This is the kind of stuff that I'm talking about.
That's about it for this post, and the rules probably apply to whatever practice area you're going to focus on. There's a saying that being the best attorney in the world won't get you clients if you can't find them, but once you do find them you better know what you're doing.
But, if you are going to go into criminal defense, you need to know a couple of things. It's possible to go out there and start a law firm right out of law school, but it's almost impossible to do it well. See, part of being a good criminal attorney is having the gumption (others would say balls) to stand up and say "f-you prosecutor, your offer sucks, and we're taking this to trial," when you know you have a shitty case. And it also just takes some good old fashioned experience.
There are several ways to get this experience, some more readily available than others. And, today is your lucky day, because I'm going to talk about them.
Criminal Attorney Experience | Watching
I probably learn more about how to be a great criminal lawyer from watching other people do it than any other way. Find out when motions dates are and find out when trial dates are of the good attorneys, and then go and watch them. You'll learn a ton.Criminal Lawyer Experience | Trial by Fire
This is a great way to get experience. Just get in there and do it. When you open your firm there will be pro bono opportunities, conflict panel appointed counsel opportunities, and paying client opportunities to get out there and get to work. Just make sure you know your boundaries and don't get caught up in something you have no business doing.Criminal Defense Experience | CLEs
I'm not talking about those CLEs people go to just to get there hours and get out of there. I'm talking about the substantive CLEs that teach you something about the law you are doing or about the craft that you have chosen to partake in.For example, I'm a DUI attorney. I go to as many DUI CLEs as I can. I was recently certified in field sobriety testing (this means I've got the exact same training the cops get) and up next is probably breath test certification. And when the heavy hitters get together and talk about DUI, I make sure I show up.
I'm also a trial attorney, through and through. And trust me when I say this is a learned craft. You can never practice enough. In the last couple months I've taken two CLEs that were geared toward improving trial skills. And they were interactive. One made me about as uncomfortable as I've ever been (I had to give an opening statement to a "jury" and I couldn't move eye contact from one juror to the next without first touching that person - it was as awkward as it sounds) but made me a better trial attorney.
This is the kind of stuff that I'm talking about.
Criminal Defense Books
There is still something to be said for reading too. Every day I read 20 pages of the Washington State DUI manual, working my way from front to back and then starting all over again, and I read a chapter from the current marketing/practice book that I've got in my hands. Today on a whim I picked up The Best Defense by Alan Dershowitz, and I wish I'd picked it up years ago. He speaks plainly about what it really means to be a criminal defense attorney (for example, "almost all of my clients are guilty, but I don't care. I'm here to win. If they go free and kill someone it doesn't necessarily affect my conscience, much like it shouldn't affect a surgeon if he saves someone and then the patient goes out and kills someone"). Read it.That's about it for this post, and the rules probably apply to whatever practice area you're going to focus on. There's a saying that being the best attorney in the world won't get you clients if you can't find them, but once you do find them you better know what you're doing.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Starting a Law Firm | The Sky is the Limit
I've been writing a lot about this office space conundrum I'm in, and the more I think about it, the more I think it's about more than office space. And I think it is a great topic for all of you out there thinking about starting a law firm. I think the law is in a state of great transition, and the things I want to do I want to put me at the front of the pack, not the back or the middle.
The office space is just a small dichotomy of that. See, I don't think people like to go downtown to meet their lawyers. I don't think it connotes any kind of success or prestige. I think people don't have any idea what to expect, and often make their decisions based on completely irrational factors (much like juries do). Particularly when looking for a DUI attorney or criminal lawyer.
And, as one generation moves out of the boardroom and another moves in, their expectations are changing too. I think they'd rather spend their profits on things that will benefit both clients and shareholders (and their pocketbooks) rather than pad their egos. This means the extravagant office is over. This means a priority on effectiveness and productivity is going to be at a premium. The days of the line item for legal fees that must be used or lost are leaving us.
If you're starting a law firm you probably don't have to think about that too much. After all, you're just going to be trying to survive those first couple of years. But, it does come into play when you start thinking about how you are going to be set up and how you are going to run your practice. What I mean is, just because it's been done before, doesn't mean it won't work.
That's one reason I want to move my office out of downtown. Although the view is cool, it's expensive, it's inconvenient, and it doesn't improve productivity at all. I'm trying to find a sweet ass office, "off the strip" as they say, that will still appeal to clients but will be fun to go to every day. Even though we are attorneys, we can still have fun.
As you think about opening your law firms, think about what you really need, what people expect you to have, and what your traditional law firm mentality tells you what you should have. And then kick out everything in the last column and get ready to kick some serious ass for your clients.
The office space is just a small dichotomy of that. See, I don't think people like to go downtown to meet their lawyers. I don't think it connotes any kind of success or prestige. I think people don't have any idea what to expect, and often make their decisions based on completely irrational factors (much like juries do). Particularly when looking for a DUI attorney or criminal lawyer.
And, as one generation moves out of the boardroom and another moves in, their expectations are changing too. I think they'd rather spend their profits on things that will benefit both clients and shareholders (and their pocketbooks) rather than pad their egos. This means the extravagant office is over. This means a priority on effectiveness and productivity is going to be at a premium. The days of the line item for legal fees that must be used or lost are leaving us.
If you're starting a law firm you probably don't have to think about that too much. After all, you're just going to be trying to survive those first couple of years. But, it does come into play when you start thinking about how you are going to be set up and how you are going to run your practice. What I mean is, just because it's been done before, doesn't mean it won't work.
That's one reason I want to move my office out of downtown. Although the view is cool, it's expensive, it's inconvenient, and it doesn't improve productivity at all. I'm trying to find a sweet ass office, "off the strip" as they say, that will still appeal to clients but will be fun to go to every day. Even though we are attorneys, we can still have fun.
As you think about opening your law firms, think about what you really need, what people expect you to have, and what your traditional law firm mentality tells you what you should have. And then kick out everything in the last column and get ready to kick some serious ass for your clients.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Starting a Law Firm | Book Review | Office Space
As the title of the post implies, I have two things I want to talk about today with regard to starting a law firm. The first is a review of a book I've been reading. The second is about office space. Here we go.
Unless you are trying to sell a service or have thought about how to sell a service, though, you have no idea how hard that can be. What you are selling can't be seen like a car, it can't be heard like an Ipod, it can be smelled or tasted like food, it can't be touched like furniture, and when the service is complete, if it's done right, your client or customer will probably feel like what you did was a fairly easy task. Think about how hard it is to put a value on something like that.
The book I am reading right now helps to put all of that into perspective, and gives practical advice to make your business grow. It's called Selling the Invisible, by Harry Beckwith. It's a compilation of a bunch of short, to the point, anecdotes on what works and doesn't work when promoting and selling a service based business.
For example, one hurdle we all face is the case when we are hired and it is resolved very quickly. Sometimes it is because of sheer luck, but most of the time it is because a fatal flaw in the case was recognized, pointed out, and the case is dismissed. When this happens, clients feel two things: first, they feel great that their case was dismissed; and second, they feel like they got ripped off because they paid you a lot of money for what seems like little actual "work." Beckwith helps explain the situation with two quotes:
These are my thoughts, kind of randomly thrown out there.
Finally, these are my options for office space:
Starting a Law Firm: Selling the Invisible Review
One of the things I love about owning a law firm is that every day I am making several decisions. About half of them deal with clients and their cases, and the other half deal with creating and maintaining a successful business. I really like both aspects of law firm owner role.Unless you are trying to sell a service or have thought about how to sell a service, though, you have no idea how hard that can be. What you are selling can't be seen like a car, it can't be heard like an Ipod, it can be smelled or tasted like food, it can't be touched like furniture, and when the service is complete, if it's done right, your client or customer will probably feel like what you did was a fairly easy task. Think about how hard it is to put a value on something like that.
The book I am reading right now helps to put all of that into perspective, and gives practical advice to make your business grow. It's called Selling the Invisible, by Harry Beckwith. It's a compilation of a bunch of short, to the point, anecdotes on what works and doesn't work when promoting and selling a service based business.
For example, one hurdle we all face is the case when we are hired and it is resolved very quickly. Sometimes it is because of sheer luck, but most of the time it is because a fatal flaw in the case was recognized, pointed out, and the case is dismissed. When this happens, clients feel two things: first, they feel great that their case was dismissed; and second, they feel like they got ripped off because they paid you a lot of money for what seems like little actual "work." Beckwith helps explain the situation with two quotes:
A man was suffering a persistent problem with his house. The floor squeaked. No matter what he tried, nothing worked. Finally, he called a carpenter who friends said was a true craftsman.And this one, which is also a great illustration.
The craftsman walked into the room and heard the squeak. He set down his toolbox, pulled out a hammer and nail, and pounded the nail into the floor with three blows.
The squeak was gone forever. The carpenter pulled out an invoice slip, on which he wrote the total of $45. Above the total were two line items:
Hammering, $2.
Knowing where to hammer, $43.
A woman was strolling along a street in Paris when she spotted Picasso sketching at a sidewalk cafe. Not so thrilled that she could not be slightly presumptuous, the woman asked Picaso if he might sketch her, and charge accordingly.These are the kinds of lessons strewn throughout this book. Great lessons on thinking about how to position yourself to be different from all the other law firms out there by simply explaining your strengths in ways that resonate with potential customers. Read this book. Buy this book. It will change the way you look at promoting your business.
Picasso obliged. In just minutes, there she was: an original Picasso.
"And what do I owe you?" she asked.
"Five thousand francs," he answered.
"But it only took you three minutes," she politely reminded him.
"No," Picasso said. "It took me all my life."
Starting a Law Firm | Office Space
I've talked a lot about law firm office space. I've talked about it here, here, and here. But I'm back to looking for more office space and I'm thinking about what an office space should do for an attorney, specifically a DUI attorney or criminal attorney (since that's what I am).These are my thoughts, kind of randomly thrown out there.
- I don't think clients really care where your office is.What do you think?
- I think clients really care about what your office looks like when you get there (clean, easy on the eye, connotes success, confidence, and a certain demand for respect).
- I think the most important factor is convenience for you and your staff. And by convenience I mean: (1) it's easy to get to; (2) it's easy to get to where you need to go, i.e. courthouses; (3) it's a nice place to work; (4) it's functional; and (5) it's affordable.
Finally, these are my options for office space:
1. Traditional office in a big city high-rise (this is what I have now). We all know what that looks like.I know there are people reading this blog, so help me out!
2. Literal traditional office in older part of downtown (in a way like you'd expect from a small town lawyer). Here's an example.
3. Modern, open style loft office (conference rooms available for uber-confidential conversations/meetings). Examples here, here, and here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
