The National Creditors Bar Association Law Practice Management Blog

Lawyers start their own law firms for any number of reasons.  There isn’t a wrong one.   Despite that, most lawyers starting law firms tend to make the same mistakes.   So, if it’s time for you to start your own law firm, good for you.  And, these are three things you should figure out now, so you don’t get caught short resolving them later.   Create a Niche.    It’s really hard to market a law firm if you’re trying to sell ‘general practice’ legal services.  You can’t sell everything.  So focus down, create a niche, and build on it.  In a hypercompetitive environment, like small law, you need every  single  edge you can  get ; and, the most obvious differentiation point for a law firm is to drill down to specific practice areas.  This process also has the added benefit of opening you up to referrals from law firms focused on complementary practice areas.   Decide What to Cha...

Business cards are  so  lame.     Yet, everybody carries one.  Business cards are still the coin of the realm, even in this paperless age.   Even so, everybody’s business card looks the same.   Y’all  went to Staples, too, right?   But, in a massively competitive environment like that occupied by solo and small firm attorneys, it pays (literally) to access every possible advantage that you can.  So, why don’t you tweak your business cards, too?  Making those even the slightest bit more unique and interesting, may provide the sliver of an advantage that you need to convert a client.   So, here are  five  ways you can improve your business card , lawyers :   Picture This .    Stop with the text-based business cards.  Nothing forms a more visceral connection than an image.  So, put your headshot on your business card.   (Make sure your logo’s o...

If you’re a solo lawyer , it doesn’t make sense to invest in a phone system.   But, you don’t want your clients to have your personal phone number, either.  What if they start texting you?        So, what’s a thrifty solo lawyer to do?     Enter  Google Voice , which is the answer to your prayers  . . .  i f the answer to your prayers is finding a better way to answer your phone when your clients call.   Google Voice allows you to ‘mask’ your personal phone number, while still receiving calls at your personal phone.  It’s free; and, it takes less than a minute to setup.  All you have to do is create or sign into an existing Google account, select a phone number, and you’re good to go.  Then, publish your new Google number,  and  get calls at your smartphone,  without  ever reveal ing  your personal phone number.   If you’re a solo  attorney ...

I mean, don’t get me wrong, lawyers  can  code, if they  want  to; but, they don’t  have  to.   There’s a prevailing argument in legal tech circles over whether lawyers should be coders.  This argument is often misconstrued to mean that lawyers should be developing their own software.  And, that’s an entirely different thing.  It’s sort of like making the assumption that the guy who tinkers with an old Corvette on the weekend should launch an automotive corporation.  And, the same argument applies for lawyers that applies to that weekend warrior: he shouldn’t do that because he can make more money in his day job, which also carries with it far less risk.  The point is: if you want to be a lawyer, be a lawyer; if you want to start a software company, start a software company.  But, don’t do both.   The math works, too.   Solo, small and large law firms waste money and resources when the...