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only to find out the Android operating system is outdated and
cannot be updated with the card reader.
However, to get more out of your time reading my article,
here are some “always” and “never”...
A goal I have set for myself is that if it is a weekday and the
court is open, but I do not need to be at court, then I had always
better be sitting in front of my computer being productive by
9 a.m. In my next article I plan on addressing what a business
mentor taught me when checking messages and emails.
Always carry business cards. I probably will never forget the
time I was in the sauna at the Y when the guy next to me said
to another guy, “Do you know an attorney that can handle a
$30,000.00 construction lien? My attorney is telling me this is
too small an amount for him to pursue.” I had no business cards
in the locker room or my car. A missed opportunity for me as
I could had said, “I might know a couple of attorneys. Here is
my card.” *Ka-Ching!* To make matters worse for me, he was
a crypto investor and was discussing his investing tactics. I
would have loved to call him and pick his brain about investing
in crypto all the while discussing about his lien issue. But no, I
forgot my cards.
Always carry a portfolio with notepad paper and a couple
of pens. A couple of months ago I received a call from a “long
time no hear from you” friend. He needed to hire a lawyer to
respond to a petition to arbitrate. We met in a restaurant, and I
had forgotten to bring my portfolio. I was typing notes on my
cell phone when he asked me for a pen and a piece of paper to
draw me a diagram of what he was talking about (the subject
matter). I told him I did not have either with me. He went out
to his truck and came back with a pen and took his used napkin
and drew out the diagram. He then asked me to take a picture
of it for my records. As gross as that sounds, it taught me when
meeting clients to always come prepared.
Get a calendar app on your phone that synchronizes with
your office software (Google, Microsoft, etc.). If a client calls
you while out of the office, you can send it to voicemail and
create a task list item to call the client back. And call them back
ASAP, especially new PCs. We solos are not super attorneys
working at a big, mega law firm where the client knows they
have entered the waiting zone. Think solo, starving attorney
who needs the clients that eventually lead to money. Or, if
you answered your phone, what you promised to do should
contemporaneously be entered on your phone’s task list. The
last thing I want to hear is a disappointed client saying they
have not heard back from me, as I said I was going to do.
Always communicate with your clients and keep them updated.
I am surprised at times when I look at my calendar and see,
Client’s name – 26(i) at 1 p.m., call OC. Oh yeah, that’s right.
I am glad it is on my calendar. And attorneys are even more
surprised when I remember to call them. Next comes the
Motion to Compel with your attorney fees.
*Ka-Ching!*
A business website is a must. My business domain name and
website cost me about $150 a year. List your name, address,
phone number, and your legal services. Also put this info on
your business cards. I do get calls from clients and attorneys as
a result of them Googling my business name. You should use
social media to advertise and always keep it updated.
Yes, I do get clients off Facebook and LinkedIn. Even calls
needing a referral confirm potential clients are seeing my ads. A
perfect time to check that your social media sites are up to date
is while on a Zoom hearing waiting for your case to be called.
For every dollar that comes in, subtract fees from it.
For every dollar that goes out, add fees to it. This is
really the start of your profits and your losses.
All kidding aside, I do not work for just the *Ka-Ching.*
First and foremost is the client’s satisfaction. As we all know,
word of mouth is always the best form of advertising, especially
for newbies like us solo practitioners who need every client we
can take care of.
And what about my study partner, Jim? Recently he posted
a picture showing him sky diving. I posted him a “Living the
dream, baby!” message. He called me. “Dude,” he said, “My
parents are so upset at me. I saved and saved and quit working
for them only to open my own misdemeanor solo law practice.
Court and clients in the morning and out enjoying life in the
afternoon.” So, I asked him if he was happy. And his response,
“Heck yeah!”
Practice tip: always be prepared to be
prepared to go to court. That means in your
office you should have a spare tie (men),
dress or suit, dress shirt, and dress shoes.
In the summer some of us solos
dress down to a short-sleeve shirt
and nice-looking sneakers. Or are
wearing jeans because on certain
days it is allowed. We, newbie
attorneys, don’t want a call from our
client saying, “I am here in room 213
for the settlement conference. Where
are you? Didn’t you see the email the
judge sent out earlier today changing
the time to 11 a.m.?” The correct
response is, “please tell the judge I
am on my way and should be there
shortly.” Yes, we get glared at when we
walk in late, but better than entering an
empty courtroom which means no
*Ka-Ching* for you.
David Robert Shelvey is a solo practitioner in
Sumner, WA. He is a member of the TPCBA,
the Pierce County Lawyer Magazine and CLE
Committee. He has been an attorney since 2015.
He also volunteers as a president and cook for a
local nonprofit. david@rockcraft.org.
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