Initial consultations are an important part of most law firms. In lots of areas of law, repetitive business is critical to the success of the law firm itself. Initial consultations can sometimes come from referrals or word-of-mouth. Initial consultations can also come down to marketing or advertising. Making an important impression at an initial consultation…
Category: Management
What’s the solution to the online legal form industry?
There are now lots of online legal form companies out there. The big ones are Legal Zoom and Rocket Lawyer. For some lawyers, the idea that there are companies out there that sell legal forms causes them a great deal of fear, distress, and anguish. They worry about why clients will just purchase a form…
If your law firm was a resort, what kind would it be?
Resorts are great places to spend some time and relax. It can be a time to be pampered. It can be a time when it feels like your needs are being put first. If you ever go to a five-star resort, they do all kinds of wonderful things from the moment you pull into the…
Can a lawyer only work 40 hours per week?
The 9 am to 5 pm workweek is a staple in lots of industries. You come in at 9 am, leave at 5 pm, and you only work Monday through Friday. Mixed in, you get a break in the middle of each workday. You then get to take the whole weekend off. What hours can…
Who makes more: lawyers or doctors?
Many, when they consider engaging in a professional career, debate whether they should be a doctor or a lawyer. These professions are two that many look at when they decide their path in life. There is something about medical or law school that attracts many individuals to contemplate one career or the other. Obviously, the…
Employees want to get paid more, while clients want to pay less
Running a law firm can result in having to balance various competing interests. One of the most interesting quandaries that a law firm can face is realizing that employees almost always want to get paid more, while clients are almost always looking to pay less. This is one of the most interesting catch-22s that are…
Does your law firm have a case of “The Slows?”
During the Civil War, President Lincoln was frustrated with the performance of General George McClellan. One of his chief complaints with General McClellan, as he put it, was that he had a case of “the slows.” Instead of marching forward to fight, he spent all his time preparing for a battle versus actually marching his…
Do not expect a pat on the back for starting a law firm
Deciding to start a law firm is a big decision. The time, energy, hours, stress, and heartache that it takes to keep the firm moving in a positive direction are more than most would imagine. Many who contemplate starting a law firm, or see others who have started a law firm, have the wrong idea…
Do you communicate regularly with clients?
No matter the areas of law in which your law firm practices, communication is key. Lawyers must communicate with clients such that they can make informed decisions about the representation. Communication ensures as well that clients are updated as to the status of their case. Communication also involves explaining the legal process, the law, and…
Measuring initial consultation conversions
If you are spending law firm money to market your law practice, your law firm must be making a good impression with potential clients who walk in the door. Otherwise, those marketing dollars can go down the drain. Interestingly, some attorneys are just more adept at making a solid impression with potential clients than others….
First day for a new employees sets the tone
When a new employee starts at your law firm, it is important to set the tone on the first day. First impressions do indeed matter a great deal for a new employee in terms of whether the hire will be successful. As I talked about in a previous article, law firms do not have a…
Do not overrate employees on performance evaluations
Performance evaluations are a must in any business. This is also true in law firms. No matter whether you evaluate employees yearly, semi-annually, or quarterly, you need to evaluate employees on some kind of regular basis. If you are not conducting evaluations, it is time to think long and hard about doing them. Conducting evaluations…