Starting a Law Firm | This and That

Starting a Law Firm | Demand For Posts

I'm back. I actually got a comment today that asked if I could update what I was doing or try to get on a more regular writing schedule so they knew when to check back. I'm trying to write every week, but sometimes I just get too busy to do it. When things pile up, the less important things get pushed back. Sadly, this is a less important thing. With that being said, however, there is this nifty little thing on the right side of the screen that says "subscribe in a reader." Click on it and follow the directions and it will let you know every time I write something new. That way you don't have to keep checking back in all the time.

Postage and Copying Fees

Had a request about postage and copying fees. I buy stamps when I need them. Usually use a book or two per month, depending on what's going on. If I need more I just go buy more.

As for copying, I don't do any copying. If I need a copy of something I scan it into the computer and print it out. That rarely happens. If someone wants a copy of something I try my hardest to let me email it to them so they can print it out if they want to. Part of starting a law firm is controlling costs. This is an easy way to do it.

As for the rest of the office supplies, I go through a package or two of paper a month, and that's about it for office supplies. But you have to remember, I'm a criminal attorney and we don't have a lot of paper flying around like you crazy civil lawyers. We prefer to pick up the phone or send a nasty email when we have a problem instead of filing a bunch of motions (joking...sort of).

New Law Clerk at the Firm

I finally did something I should have done a long time ago and hired a law clerk. She's been working for me for two weeks and it's been awesome. She doesn't really spend any time at the office. I know you're dying to hear about the set up, so here it goes.

I pay her $15 an hour. She just keeps her time and gives it to me. I pay her like a contract employee - so I don't have to worry about taxes. She just gets a 1099 at the end of the year like any other contract employee would. We meet on Mondays for an hour or so. At the meeting we go over what she's been doing and I tell her about new cases I have and new projects I have for her. Then I email her more detailed instructions and any materials I have that can help her get started.

I have a rule that she can come to any court hearing that she wants to. I've got a highrise account so she can see what's scheduled. If she has questions, I answer them. We talk a little strategy here and there and I try to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. She does her work where ever she wants (she has access to the office but it isn't necessary) and emails me her work when it's done. I use track changes to make comments and suggestions until a final product is created.

Here's the great thing about having a law clerk, though, it cuts my work time in half. If you've been practicing for any amount of time you quickly learn one thing - spotting the issues is the hard part, doing the research is the easy part. But, with that being said, doing the research is the time consuming part. Law clerks love to research and write - it's all they know how to do so far. So it's a great trade off for me. I get to teach a law student how to be a lawyer, and they get to create some great work product doing something they know how to do.

And I guess that's the starting a law firm lesson of the day - learn how to leverage your time. Sure, you could do it all, but how fun is that? And, with the time you save on research and writing you now have that much more time to devote to marketing your law firm, which is just as important (and something your law clerk definitely can't do).

Here's an old post about hiring law clerks. I have no idea what it says!

Phone System Changes

Also wanted to let you know that I have signed up for a free trial with receptionhq.com, a virtual reception company. I found that I was missing too many calls with court and things like that and needed someone to make sure I didn't miss those. I just signed up with them this week and have been pleased with the service so far. The rates are reasonable, and they seem like they know what they are doing, which is nice.

I know you all love hearing about law firm phone systems and the nuts and bolts of starting a law firm so I thought I'd throw you a bone.

Ads on the Site

I decided to put ads on the site, and you may have noticed that. I didn't do that for those of you that actually read these posts, I did it for people that are just passing through and like what they see. Please only click on the ads if you are interested in the product. That's the whole point right?

Have a great weekend. And let me know if there's anything you'd like to talk about specifically.