5 Essential (and Unexpected) People for Your Law Practice
When you think through the most neccessary people you work with in your law practice does a newspaper report come to mind? Maybe it should. A list of people essential to your law practice was recently written by Brian Tannebaum at Above the Law.
The list is interesting as it includes many people you would not normally think of as "necessary" to start a law practice. So you won't see secretaries, law clerks, or paralegals on this list.
In fact, the list is actually quite contrary to what many young attorneys may believe, especially those attorneys who think they're set armed with only an Internet connection, computer, and telephone.
So here's a look at the list of unexpected people that may help your law practice:
- Reporters. Reporters often need help with their legal stories such as making sure they got the law correct or for some inside analysis on a case. If you scratch a reporter's back, she may scratch your's. A couple helpful emails could turn to a front page story of your most recent court win.
- Restaurant Owner. Whether you need a private booth to meet a client in, are looking for some late-night chow, or just want to make sure your comfort food is cooked to perfection, you'll want to buddy up with a nearby restaurant owner.
- Accountant/Financial Advisor. When you're running your own firm, your long-term financial planning can stay on the back burner. You want to make sure to have a trusted accountant to make sure your retirement money is being saved, your kid's college fund is being funded, and that your taxes will be ready come tax day.
- A Courier. Give it time, there will be a situation where you will need a last second motion filed or urgent delivery that needs to be made before a deadline. A trusted courier can relieve a lot of stress when you're feeling the pressure the most.
- Other Lawyers. The business of law is often a referral business. If you send business one way, you can eventually expect business to come back at you. Some practice areas to have buddies in include estate planning, family, and real estate law as these issues always come up.
The fastest Internet connection in the world won't help your law practice much. Sometimes, you'll just need to get out and talk to someone.
Related Resources:
- 3 Things to Avoid When Trying to Sign a Prospective Client (FindLaw's Strategist)
- Consider Moral Character When Hiring Law Office Staff (FindLaw's Strategist)
- 7 Hot Practice Areas to Grow Your Law Practice (FindLaw's Strategist)