About 29 years ago, when I started my law practice, I had only about $1,900 of personal savings and a used IBM typewriter. Since then much has changed but the basics are just the same. To be successful, you have to start and you have be inspired and you have to take some risk. Your success depends on how many people like you, not what you are. Of course knowledge and skill are necessary but it begins with being likable. I had a small office of about 12 ft by 12 ft on the second floor near 15th and Walnut in Philadelphia. There were about 10 other lawyers, each with his own unique practice. One of them now has a $5-million personal injury practice. He is probably a millionaire. One is semi-retired . Another died. Still another lost his license. I am still practicing and last year my gross annual income was about $219,000. I hope to do better this year. I am not a millionaire. This book is not for the reader. This is guide a for the doer. It is supposed to inspire you and give valuable information. This is a handbook for those who want to start. This does not cover everything. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Take that step now.
How to Start Your Law Practice in the Next 30 Days for $5,000 or Less
A Guide for Lawyers who want to be doers, not dreamers.By Allan K. MarshallAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Allan K. Marshall, Esquire, Attorney-at-Law
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4634-4890-5Contents
Introduction..............................................................................viiDay 1. Office Space You Shall Need........................................................1Day 2. Business Cards.....................................................................3Day 3. Upscale Dress Required.............................................................5Day 4. Introduce Yourself.................................................................6Day 5. Learn To Say Your Name.............................................................7Day 6. Networking Is Essential............................................................8Day 7. Your Ad............................................................................9Day 8. Find A Mentor......................................................................10Day 9. Solicit Interns....................................................................11Day 10. Throw A Marketing Party...........................................................12Day 11. Visit Uncommon Locations..........................................................13Day 12. Get A Business License............................................................14Day 13. Join Your Local Chamber Of Commerce...............................................15Day 14. Insurance.........................................................................16Day 15. Banking...........................................................................17Day 16. Business Classifications..........................................................18Day 17. Start A Support Group.............................................................19Day 18. Visit The Following Websites:.....................................................20Day 19. What Do You Get For Your $5,000?..................................................21Day 20. Read Ten Family-Law Cases From Your State's Case-Law Book.........................23Day 21. Read Ten Mortgage-Foreclosure Cases...............................................24Day 22. Read Thirty Breach-Of-Contract Cases..............................................25Day 23. Read Ten Bankruptcy Cases From The West's Bankruptcy Reporter.....................26Day 24. Learn How Your Office Equipment Workz.............................................27Day 25. Communications....................................................................28Day 26. Learn How To Say Yes..............................................................29Day 27. Personal Reflection...............................................................30Day 28. Share Your Experience.............................................................31Day 29. Checklist.........................................................................32Day 30. Networking........................................................................33Appendix A. Newsletter, September 2012:...................................................53Appendix B. Reception for Pizza Shop Managers.............................................57Appendix C. How to Distinguish Yourself in the Next Twenty-Four Hours.....................59Appendix D. Sample Office Lease...........................................................61Appendix E. Attorney Client Fee Agreement (Flat Fee)......................................63Appendix F. Attorney Client Fee Agreement (Contingent)....................................67Appendix G. Attorney Client Fee Agreement (General).......................................71Appendix H. How to Write an Eloquent Complaint............................................75Appendix I. Complaint.....................................................................79Appendix J. Complaint.....................................................................89Appendix K. Will..........................................................................95Appendix L. Complaint Against Landlord....................................................99
Chapter One
Day 1 OFFICE SPACE YOU SHALL NEED
Your success will depend on the location of your office. The best way is to find an office where other lawyers are already practicing. So you will need to locate ten lawyers from the internet to find space for your office in your city. Try to rent an office close to the courthouse. Remember: location, location, location. Your location is integral to a thriving practice. Meet the lawyers who give you positive leads. Do not fall for a fixer-upper just because of low rent. Do not rent a walk-up; your clients will not want to walk up stairs. After finding a location that meets your needs, do not sign a complicated lease (try to keep it to a one-page agreement). For example, my arrangement with my landlord is based on a handshake and rent of $400 per month, and I have been at this location for the last eleven years.
Once upon a time, I had a beautiful office in an upscale building located five miles from downtown Philadelphia. I offered free parking to my clients. But my clients would not identify with the address, and free parking did not make a difference. They could not locate the office on their mental map. My business was abysmal. Four years later, I moved to downtown Philadelphia and changed to a "closet" of an office space. But it was on a prominent street—Chestnut Street—the fifth most popular street in Philadelphia. My rent was only $400 per month. The location was prominent, and I picked up two hundred and fifty new clients in my first year at this new location. At my previous location, I never had more than seventy-five new clients per year.
Never use a post office box as your address.
Remember, you will still need a physical location to meet clients, so keep looking for that perfect office space.
Day 2
BUSINESS CARDS
Compose your business card using memorable words that have impact.
Order business cards; include a two-to six-word slogan. For example:
I take sides—your side.
Call me before you need me.
Buying a house? Call me; I can go to an open house with you.
Starting a business? What kind?
I can set you free from the shackles of debt (If you practice bankruptcy law).
Want money? I will collect from those who owe you.
If she don't love you, close her account. (If you practice divorce law).
Sue those who trespass against us.
I am a new lawyer. But I am not a virgin.
I would rather say yes, than no.
1) Include your photo on the card.
2) Dress sharp, act sharp, be sharp.
3) Don't print your fax number on the card.
4) Don't print your cell phone number. Handwrite your cell phone number on the card before you hand it out.
5) Don't print your e-mail address on the business card.
6) Visit: VistaPrint website and compose your business card on line. 500 cards delivered to you for less than $10.
Day 3
UPSCALE DRESS REQUIRED
This means you cannot wear casual clothes. No jeans, no T-shirts, no sneakers, etc. No "trashy" dressing. People will judge you by the way you look. Dress upscale every day, including weekends. Remember, you're always making an impression, even if you're not aware of it. If you believe that looking good is stressful, you need not practice law.
If you...
