I think I can, I think I can...

Sarah's Post

Week Four

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

I’m finally comfortable coming into the office every day, and working a full work week. And while business is not exactly booming, I do have a few client leads that I’m working on turning into paying clients.

One issue I’ve run into is clients expecting that you know the answers to their questions immediately. They seem to think it’s strange that you don’t know the answers to questions like how long a process will take, how much money they are likely going to have to spend, and whether their claim is a good one to even bring into court or not.

As a new lawyer, I find myself scrambling to do preliminary research on very basic questions before talking to clients, which is time consuming and generally doesn’t yield specific enough answers to clients’ questions anyways. So I look forward to the time when I at least feel comfortable answering basic questions about procedure without having to dig the information out of the library, or ask another lawyer what I know is a really stupid question.

Luckily, experienced lawyers seem to like being asked stupid questions. I think it makes people feel good that you think they know their area of law well enough to ask them questions. Most everyone I’ve talked to has been more than willing to talk to me about anything under the sun, law related or not, and share encouragement as well as knowledge. My advice would be to have several people you can ask questions of, however, because eventually anyone will get tired of you no matter what a nice, cute, new lawyer you are.

So new lawyers, ask those questions! Experienced attorneys want you to be able to competently represent clients, because we all represent the same profession. And what lawyer doesn’t like to talk?   

Rita is opening this week, so send happy, successful thoughts her way!

Second Week Out - And Still Here

- Sarah -

I've had my shingle out for a week and a half now, and it’s been very busy. Not that I’m constantly meeting with potential clients, but there is a lot to do in these beginning days just to make sure my firm can survive. I’m marketing like a mad woman, attending some CLE’s to get practical knowledge, and doing enough contract work to bring in some funds to keep things going.

I think I have my first client! I’ll have a better idea next week after we meet in the office and I tell him that I do actually charge for my fantastic services. If he doesn’t run out when I turn my back, then I will have my first paying client!

I’ve been trying multiple marketing techniques, from the standard to the bordering on pathetic and desperate. Marketing as a beginning solo feels a lot like job searching, but instead of trying to convince a firm they should hire you to give legal advice to the clients they already have, you’re trying to convince your friends, family, neighbors, other lawyers, and anyone stuck in an elevator with you for more than 30 seconds that you’re a fantastic lawyer who they should tell everyone they know about. (Here, take a business card.)

This idea scares the bejesus out of most new lawyers – trying to find new clients when you have nothing to start with. And I think if one were to sit on one’s hands and stare at their shiny new business phone, and assume the clients will be beating down their door in no time, they will be playing a lot of computer solitaire. I am prepared to have new clients trickle in for the first few months. My plan is to continue the contract I do now in order to keep my doors open while waiting for that trickle to turn into a steady stream.

I think something you absolutely need to start your own firm is faith – faith that your marketing efforts will eventually turn into clients, and that the business will grow as you’ve hoped over time.