Page 30 - January 2019 | Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal

BarJournal YOuNG LAWYERS

JU LY /A UGUST 20 15
fEATUrE The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Practice Tips for Young Lawyers

Hanging Their Shingle

BY DAN A. BARON

tarting your own practice may be your greatest potential for liability arises out Institute, Network 52, Financial Service
one of the most terrifying and re- of malpractice. As such, it is recommended Professionals, Estate Planning Counsel,
warding endeavors an attorney may that you form an LLC coupled with ample Elder Counsel, Accounting Association,
attempt. I was certainly terrified, but malpractice insurance. local chambers, LinkedIn Local Cleveland,
S I knew before even taking the LSAT Forming an LLC is straightforward. In No Rules Networking, Southwest Business
that starting a firm was the path I wanted to fact, the Ohio Secretary of State has provided Group, and many more. To maximize your
take. So where do you even begin? Well, after step-by-step instructions on their website: outcome, you want to ensure you’re joining
several years of hanging my first shingle I’ve www.sos.state.oh.us/businesses/information- organizations that allow for the professions
made some mistakes, learned from others, and on-starting-and-maintaining-a-business/. involved to complement one another.
assessed what could have been better. Nothing However, the operating agreement and For example, if you’re an estate planning
could have been achieved without the help of other documents that accompany your LLC attorney you’ll want to join organizations
others and my hope is that this short article may require some assistance. Additionally, that have financial planners and accountants
will help those aspiring to do the same. malpractice insurance is quite affordable. because these professions have symbiotic
Through most malpractice carriers, attorneys relationships and needs.
Getting Started may elect to practice part-time, reducing annual When attending these events, it’s imperative
Believe it or not, getting started is the easy part fees to less than $500 per-year depending on to not only follow up, but to do so with a
of starting a law practice. First, all you have your eligibility. It’s also imperative to adopt an personal touch. Recently during a CMBA
to do is spend three years in law school, six accounting structure through QuickBooks or social function I observed a colleague writing
months studying for a three-day long exam, something comparable. There are several other down little personal facts about the people he
pass the exam, and then begin practicing. But operating platforms to consider such as Practice engaged with that night. He would later follow
seriously, whether you just passed the bar exam Panther, Clio, Casemaker, Westlaw, Lexis, etc. up with an e-mail mentioning the things
or have decided to leave a large firm, legally Nearly all have free trial periods and should be they talked about. This was a great idea and
forming your law practice is simple. First, considered depending on your practice area. I emulated his approach. What a difference
pick a name that conforms with the ethical it made from just a mundane e-mail. This
rules. Your firm name cannot be a trade name Marketing Yourself sounds too obvious but you’d be surprised
or anything else misleading to a potential First and foremost, if you are unable to market how a follow-up coupled with personal touch
client. Then, decide whether you want to be yourself, then starting a practice may not be will develop into a new relationship. If you see
a sole proprietor or create a Limited Liability right for you. Alternatively, if people know, others who are crushing the networking field,
Company, “LLC.” Keep in mind however, that like, and trust you, then there’s a good chance don’t be afraid to emulate their approach.
everything else will fall into place. There are
numerous methods of growing your practice by 2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Certified Auto/Motorcycle Appraisals marketing yourself and here are my top three. – Your past/current clients are your best

Certified Appraisers for: source of potential new clients. Clients
Misrepresented Sales/Fraud 1. Network – Meeting people in your industry is that you’ve already assisted already know,

Charitable Donations/Estate Planning paramount to growing your practice. There like, and trust you. Why not tap into their
All Insurance Claims are many bar associations and chamber network? They would be happy to refer
Bankruptcy
Diminished Value events that can place you around those who your business to others but they often
Expert Witness can connect you to potential clients. Some forget you exist. Don’t let that happen.
of these associations cost money so it’s There are several CRM platforms that
better to join a couple of associations and allow you to stay connected with your
go deep within those organizations instead clients so they remember you. Mailchimp,
of joining too many. Bar associations are blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn newsletters,

Auto Appraisal Group • John Golias just the beginning of many organizations to and annual check-ups are just a few ways
440-526-3445 • 800-848-2886 consider. There are numerous non-lawyer to stay connected. You’ll find that they are
www.autoappraisal.com organizations such as: Business Networking all important, though some work better

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