Comments on: Do Your Clients Have A Crush On You?

By: Fred Kruck

Fred Kruck — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:13:20 +0000

It is the same whether you are an electric company or a solo attorney, and it’s only two words: “Exceed expectations.”

Great post — it exceeded my expectations!

By: Chuck Newton

Chuck Newton — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:41:20 +0000

I think we need to avoid hyperbole. Although I agree in general that law schools do not do enough to encourage graduates to start their own firms, and they seek to have students become employed upon graduation for purposes of rankings, I have never known a law school to suggest that the only jobs worth having are at Big Law, or the be-all and end-all of the profession. Business consultants encourage growth. But, I have rarely heard one argue someone is not successful until they become large. In fact, they tend to talk way to much about synergies, added value and implementation. I think the problem is that law students want jobs and the pay issues cause students to compete for Big Law jobs. You can argue, and it probably should be argued that law schools and consultants do not do enough to educate students on the potential for solo practice. But it would seem that the only ones that would care about the solo practice of law are lawyers.

By: Suzanne Meehle

Suzanne Meehle — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:50:08 +0000

I think we’ve done it to ourselves, quite honestly. Law schools tell law students that the only jobs worth having are at Big Law and they discourage students who might be happier as a solo to go after the Big Law jobs as the be-all and end-all of the profession. And business advisors tell solos and small firms that they aren’t successful until they outgrow being small. My clients don’t give a damn about the size of my firm – they just want good service and good results. The only ones who seem to care are other lawyers!

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:27:32 +0000

Suzanne, you said a mouthful. We almost always DO end up with the ‘little guy’ when we have higher expectations. Why, then, are lawyers still so insecure about this truth? People crave personal interaction from indivduals who understand their circumstances. Sometimes I wonder if we’ve created and perpetuated this myth that the majority of clients in the traditional consumer law practice areas prefer anyone but a solo.

By: Suzanne Meehle

Suzanne Meehle — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:37:41 +0000

Everyone knows I have a crush on SPU! But I also have a crush on my local sandwich shop, my photographer and the wellness center I go to for nutrition, personal training and massage. If we raise our standards and refuse to accept inferior service, we almost always end up with the little guy.