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what law for solo if no experience?

i actually do have like 7 years of experience. but it's in s...
Electric Library Queen Of The Night
  03/26/17
I'm a graduate of a T14 on the coasts, who also landed in mi...
Bonkers appetizing parlor
  03/26/17
thanks, this is helpful. how did you do it with zero adv...
Electric Library Queen Of The Night
  03/26/17
if you're practicing consumer law, website is tcr, but it ta...
talking carmine milk point
  03/26/17
I have never networked with other lawyers. I spend my time ...
Bonkers appetizing parlor
  03/26/17
explain how that is not solicitation? or do you mean for exi...
talking carmine milk point
  03/26/17
if you're worried about shit like violating solicitation rul...
beady-eyed sticky shrine
  03/26/17
CR
submissive whorehouse
  03/27/17
I don't go to random businesses and introduce myself, I go t...
Bonkers appetizing parlor
  03/26/17
got it. no, it's not. smart.
talking carmine milk point
  03/27/17
Anyone can do PI. Anyone.
Stirring useless brakes den
  03/26/17
yeah, but i've heard contingency cases until you're establis...
Electric Library Queen Of The Night
  03/26/17
PI can certainly be expensive if you go to trial. I would n...
Stirring useless brakes den
  03/26/17
thanks.
Electric Library Queen Of The Night
  03/26/17
The run of the mill PI shit doesn't require any experts. You...
Aromatic chest-beating school
  03/26/17
This is very true.
Stirring useless brakes den
  03/26/17
real estate closings
Spectacular wagecucks
  03/26/17
easy to learn those?
beady-eyed sticky shrine
  03/26/17
i've thought of this. is there any benefit to my becoming a ...
Electric Library Queen Of The Night
  03/26/17
Some states let you be the attorney and broker. NY prohibits...
Misanthropic topaz idiot giraffe
  03/26/17
not if you're west of the rockies
talking carmine milk point
  03/26/17
? y ?
Splenetic toilet seat pistol
  03/26/17
lawyers aren't used for real estate closings in the west
talking carmine milk point
  03/26/17
Criminal or PI This is what all the straight out of ls ...
Concupiscible Hell
  03/26/17
how did they land PI clients with 0 experience? every single...
beady-eyed sticky shrine
  03/26/17
All of the young PI lawyers I know do criminal as welll. Get...
Stimulating dopamine persian
  11/20/18
how is op doing? well i hoap
mind-boggling scarlet keepsake machete
  11/20/18
Crim def
Vermilion massive kitty
  11/20/18
how 2 learn / find clients
mind-boggling scarlet keepsake machete
  11/20/18
I guess it helps to have been a public defender.
Vermilion massive kitty
  11/20/18
It would prob. help if lolschools taught their students how ...
Umber therapy alpha
  11/20/18
titmfcr. i was able to breeze through law school via writing...
Twinkling Address Main People
  11/20/18
Failing that, the local/state bar ass'n should presumably ha...
Umber therapy alpha
  11/21/18


Poast new message in this thread



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 9:44 PM
Author: Electric Library Queen Of The Night

i actually do have like 7 years of experience. but it's in securities and fcpa. there's 0 demand for that in the particular part of middle america i'm stuck in for the foreseeable future. i have no connections here- legal or otherwise. i'm in a medium-ish city (700k) with not a ton of lawyers, but depressed economy and billing rates. i'm good with clients. and in the courtroom (though limited experience here) but despise that self-selling shit.

seems unlikely i could just waltz in and get business clients. would rather not get malpractice pwned or screw someone's life. but for various reasons, solo is my only option.

help please. i think i can get the effective website/content/social media presence thing down. but there are a million advertising options, and i'm guessing 999,990 are terrible options. should i just throw a dart at a board of specialties and claim one instead of advertising more general anything/everything? if a specialty- which one? business? t&e? crim? basic ip? basically all i've eliminated is immigration, because i've heard it's actually crazy complex, and hard to get paid for.

how do i find people to give me work/hold my hand for a case or two to make sure i'm not fucking up?

tyia.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32924794)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:00 PM
Author: Bonkers appetizing parlor

I'm a graduate of a T14 on the coasts, who also landed in middle America, in a metro area of about 600,000. After 3 years at a regional firm (450 lawyers) I had to go solo. I'm 8 years into my solo practice at this point. To succeed as a solo with weak or no ties to an area, you may need to start by taking whatever comes in, and learn how to do the work. After a while you will see what kind of connections you develop, and you can narrow your focus. I practiced in commercial real estate for 3 years at the big firm, but I found that there was very little commercial real estate work that trickled down to small firms. I did some work for residential title companies, evictions, property tax appeals, etc. and also took related work like estate planning, probate, etc. I started developing clients who owned small retail businesses (gas stations, restaurants, etc.), and this got me back into the commercial real estate sphere. I have never advertised, and I don't know any small firm attorneys who do, except the ones who only do a very narrow type of work.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32924923)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:15 PM
Author: Electric Library Queen Of The Night

thanks, this is helpful.

how did you do it with zero advertising though? did you build up some connections in the regional law firm first? i wasn't thinking, like tv and radio ads. more like having a strong website with some content, and an optimized seo search. *maybe* facebook or google ads if they wouldn't bankrupt me.

also, i was planning to join the bar, go to all the events and also join the chamber of commerce/whatever other nonsense, until i see if any of those are effective. i'm a pretty good public speaker. so it'd be nice to be able to give free "this is how you solve some problem" speeches to groups. but i'd have to figure out stuff first.

do you mind my asking how long it took you to build up a practice? i don't have a huge window to flounder here. i can make no money for one year, or not much money for two. but median solo attorney salaries (of those who reported) are around 80k here. if i'm not making at least that after two years, i'm in trouble.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925091)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:40 PM
Author: talking carmine milk point

if you're practicing consumer law, website is tcr, but it takes about a year before it starts working. also it needs to look good. it doesn't have to be expensive though, i saw an attorney's website the other day running on a Wix template that looked great.

some of the directories can get you some business, like justia and even avvo. it's hit or miss, but worth at least the effort of getting a listing in all of them. depending on the practice area, yelp too, if you get reviews. don't pay any of these places money for advertising though, beyond the one-time fee some charge for a directory listing.

after you get your website up, submit it through this for local seo:

https://moz.com/local

professional networking groups can be very good. it takes at least 6 months of actively getting your name out there, but business will eventually start to come in. networking with attorneys in other practice areas will lead to business. you can also sometimes get attorneys in your practice area that will give you smaller matters they don't want to deal with.

you also need to get your own network of professionals, because when you start to get clients and referrals, they're going to ask you for shit you don't do. you should be able to refer them to other attorneys, or accountants, or realtors or whatever they are asking for. give referrals out freely and abundantly, if you can.

they're lower margin, but to get business in the door in the beginning you can also sign up to be a provider for prepaid legal plans like Hyatt.

if considering PI you should read every thread by the poaster calishitlawguru.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925828)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:48 PM
Author: Bonkers appetizing parlor

I have never networked with other lawyers. I spend my time going to meet clients in their place of business. Small business owners are great sources of work. Also, when you are there, you will meet their business associates and employees. Their employees will hire you for divorces, expungements, traffic tickets. The owners will hire you for business deals. If you have clients come to your office you are throwing away a networking opportunity in many cases.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925876)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:50 PM
Author: talking carmine milk point

explain how that is not solicitation? or do you mean for existing clients, you go to their offices and get work from the people you bump into there? then you have a chicken and egg problem though.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925896)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:51 PM
Author: beady-eyed sticky shrine

if you're worried about shit like violating solicitation rules it's probably gonna be real tough for you to make it as a solo ITE

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925908)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 27th, 2017 12:01 AM
Author: submissive whorehouse

CR

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925956)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:55 PM
Author: Bonkers appetizing parlor

I don't go to random businesses and introduce myself, I go to an existing client meeting at the client's business. While I'm there I get introduced to other folks and tell them what I do. That's not solicitation.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925928)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 27th, 2017 12:02 AM
Author: talking carmine milk point

got it. no, it's not. smart.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925961)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:18 PM
Author: Stirring useless brakes den

Anyone can do PI. Anyone.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925112)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:28 PM
Author: Electric Library Queen Of The Night

yeah, but i've heard contingency cases until you're established is a bad idea. can't pi be expensive? or is that just med mal?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925232)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:30 PM
Author: Stirring useless brakes den

PI can certainly be expensive if you go to trial. I would never touch a med mal plaintiff case

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925251)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:42 PM
Author: Electric Library Queen Of The Night

thanks.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925344)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:50 PM
Author: Aromatic chest-beating school

The run of the mill PI shit doesn't require any experts. You're basically just acting like an adjuster for a client

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925389)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:57 PM
Author: Stirring useless brakes den

This is very true.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925454)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:43 PM
Author: Spectacular wagecucks

real estate closings

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925346)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:44 PM
Author: beady-eyed sticky shrine

easy to learn those?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925350)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 10:56 PM
Author: Electric Library Queen Of The Night

i've thought of this. is there any benefit to my becoming a licensed real estate broker in nyc? i mean, i could waive in or whatever, and then, by reciprocity, have that qual here. but it does cost- i think like $500. if it'd help with knowing how to do these things, or having more cred though, maybe i should?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925443)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:13 PM
Author: Misanthropic topaz idiot giraffe

Some states let you be the attorney and broker. NY prohibitsvit for ethical reasons.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925590)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:50 PM
Author: talking carmine milk point

not if you're west of the rockies

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925900)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:51 PM
Author: Splenetic toilet seat pistol

? y ?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925905)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:52 PM
Author: talking carmine milk point

lawyers aren't used for real estate closings in the west

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925910)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:52 PM
Author: Concupiscible Hell

Criminal or PI

This is what all the straight out of ls lawyers I know did

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925913)



Reply Favorite

Date: March 26th, 2017 11:54 PM
Author: beady-eyed sticky shrine

how did they land PI clients with 0 experience? every single market is already saturated with them

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#32925921)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 10:39 PM
Author: Stimulating dopamine persian

All of the young PI lawyers I know do criminal as welll. Get a few contract cases, do well, and they start building clients through word of mouth from their criminal client to all his friends.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37274301)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 9:36 PM
Author: mind-boggling scarlet keepsake machete

how is op doing? well i hoap

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37273894)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 9:37 PM
Author: Vermilion massive kitty

Crim def

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37273903)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 9:49 PM
Author: mind-boggling scarlet keepsake machete

how 2 learn / find clients

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37273984)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 10:29 PM
Author: Vermilion massive kitty

I guess it helps to have been a public defender.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37274231)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 10:02 PM
Author: Umber therapy alpha

It would prob. help if lolschools taught their students how to practice law but that would make too much sense.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37274058)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 20th, 2018 10:37 PM
Author: Twinkling Address Main People

titmfcr. i was able to breeze through law school via writing and logic, but learned jack shit about actually practicing law.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37274288)



Reply Favorite

Date: November 21st, 2018 12:23 AM
Author: Umber therapy alpha

Failing that, the local/state bar ass'n should presumably have some kind of system to help new lawyers get set up.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3565198&forum_id=2#37274905)