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I recently asked several of our claims attorneys to identify the top habits they felt new lawyers should develop from day one. Most of what they shared was what I anticipated claims attorneys would say; but one item caught my attention, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how right they were. In short, all lawyers, not just new lawyers, need to know how to write well. Do you?
Chasing down non-paying clients is the bane of most lawyers’ existence. And when you’re already spending an additional three and a half weeks on unplanned work every year, it makes settling overdue accounts that much more frustrating.
While you may not be able to avoid ever having to deal with non-paying clients, here are three things you can do throughout a case to reduce the incidence of non-payment.
As a profession we’re constantly being reminded about the importance of A2J (Access to Justice) for low income folks. We are forcing newly minted attorneys into Pro Bono work touting it as a rite of passage, an honor and a privilege to give back for earning this license. Those charged with a crime are given public defenders at no cost to protect their rights. But what about plaintiffs in difficult personal injury or medical malpractice situations where it is not about the lawyer foregoing a fee and putting in a few check marks in the pro bono column, but taking on cases that challenge an attorney to swing for the fences even if the odds are slim there will be a financial return; where the overarching goal is hopefully helping to right a significant wrong and maybe prevent future wrongs? What about that difficult personal injury case or medical malpractice case that fewer and fewer lawyers have the caring or courage or fortitude to take on because the odds are against victory, though should they be victorious, there is tremendous financial reward plus the gratification of helping someone? What about that plaintiff who needs that real cowboy?
We can’t believe it’s been 10 years! In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we are offering amazing tuition options including Solo for Life! This celebration will run through 11:59 pm PST, Monday, April 8th. Don’t miss this once in a decade opportunity. Join us!
We welcome back Cynthia Sharp, ABA/GP Solo Rock Star for her third and final podcast on The 6 Steps to Client Mastery which now walks us through the processes (and soft skills) necessary to handle difficult clients, get your fees, conclude the matter and turn your happy clients into lifetime referral sources. This is not to be missed.
Managing a law firm means running through a number of repetitive processes daily to stay on task — from client intake to document generation. These necessary though tedious tasks can take their toll on the efficiency of your practice by draining hours from your workday. The good news: almost any aspect of your law practice can be automated.
Download the Tips for Automating Your Law Practice to learn.
Knowing your numbers gives you great power to make smart business decisions. It’s one of the ways you breakthrough to BIG SUCCESS! In my experience, only 5% of solo and small firm attorneys know their profit margin. Do you?
Our series of guest lectures with ABA/GP Solo Rockstars continues and the inimitable Cynthia Sharp continues sharing her brilliant 6 steps to client mastery. And she is THE master in combining those intangible soft skills with the critical processes needed for guaranteeing a uniform and successful relationship with your clients. Attorney Sharp details how this relationship starts from before your clients become clients right through to those same clients becoming an endless source of referrals. You will learn that process is the key to success. It is great to get the masters of the game sharing their wisdom with all of you.
I could hear it in his voice, the frustration over trying to figure out how to deal with a never-ending flow of email was palpable. Unfortunately, before I could share a few thoughts, the elevator door opened and I had to walk away wishing I could have had a little more time. That’s the real issue, isn’t it? It’s always about time. There never seems to be enough of it. I suspect you can relate because I can’t imagine there are many out there who haven’t felt overwhelmed at some point by a cluttered inbox, a stack of phone messages, sticky notes posted all over the place (you should see my office!), the pile of files on their desk, and/or all the overdue items on their reminder list. So what do you do?
While not too much in the main stream media, there is a grass roots movement of on line lawyer communities unaffiliated with traditional legal organizations. I bet you belong to one and don’t even realize you are part of a movement! Why is this happening and where are they congregating online? Should you belong to one? Listen and learn.
Why Going Solo as a Young Attorney Could Be the Best Decision Ever with Susan Cartier Liebel from Solo Practice University®.
On this episode of New Solo from the Legal Talk Network, Adriana Linares interviews Susan Cartier Liebel from Solo Practice University® about how to stay motivated throughout the process of starting a solo law practice.
Motivation in life is very important. I share seminal moments which have shaped me as a human being and helped me become who I am today.
On this podcast from Lawpreneur Radio, Miranda McCroskey interviews Susan Cartier Liebel from Solo Practice University® about perceptions of fear, failure and other issues facing solos.
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