how can i get clients as a single startup lawyer?

by Janiya Koepp III 5 min read

  • Engage in Social Media Marketing. It’s not new, but it’s a powerful channel to grab the attention of your ideal, prospective clients. ...
  • Start Networking and Level up your Business Development. Networking is one of the most powerful, organic methods for attracting new clients for your law firm.
  • Get More Reviews to Build a Strong Online Reputation. Online Reviews and ratings have transitioned sometime back from a ‘nice to have’ to an absolute essential.
  • Build a Professional, Fast and Effective Website. As you start to generate clients as a solo attorney, you’ll want to own your marketing assets. It’s professional.
  • Use PPC Ads to Drive Results Quickly. The methods we’ve talked about so far are tried and tested to attract more clients for firms and solo practitioners.
  • Optimize your Solo Attorney Website for Search Engines. Above, we briefly explored the benefits of PPC advertising channels such as Search Engine Marketing through Google Adwords and Bing Ads.
  • Start Blogging and Marketing your Law Firm’s Content. A great way to promote yourself on social media is through sharing your expertise and skill as a lawyer.
  • Conclusion. There are so many ways for solo attorneys to get new clients. These 7 tips and methods are highly recommended for doing just that.

Full Answer

What does it take to be a startup lawyer?

Len Gray, who founded a boutique firm specializing in representing startup companies, agrees: “ You have to be really well balanced across a wide range of areas to succeed in this practice, and you also have to be very good at client care.

How can I get more clients for my law firm?

You won’t get more clients if you don’t find new customers for your law firm. You have to be where your ideal clients are looking for lawyers and where they’re looking for information regarding their legal challenges or needs. And here’s where they look: Law Firm Directories like Avvo, SuperLawyers, Yelp, etc.

Why do startups need in-house legal attorneys?

As startup companies scale, in-house legal attorneys play an evolving and increasingly critical role as the possibility of legal quagmire inevitably grows. When Away faced a potential FAA regulatory issue relating to lithium-ion batteries being banned from airplanes, Beser was at the center of solving the problem.

Should you move your law firm to a startup?

One of the main attractions of moving to a startup law practice is the prospect of building the skills and network that can enable transitioning to an in-house role at an up-and-coming startup. Firms in the space recognize this reality, as Gandhi notes: “ Most laterals who come to startup law firms don’t want to be firm lawyers forever.

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How do lawyers attract clients?

In summary, lawyers get new clients by two major methods–referrals and reviews. By utilizing networking skills and events, you can get your name out there and let people know that you are a reliable, trustworthy source of legal representation.

What do startups need from lawyers?

Startups need lawyers when lawyers provide the best, value-driven solution for specific problems the startup is facing. This will change from one startup to another. Here are some variables: Company formation: In most cases, you don't need a lawyer to set up a company, and it will be overkill to use one.

Are lawyers loners?

Lawyers are the loneliest of all professionals, according to a survey reported recently in Harvard Business Review of 1,624 full-time employees. Loneliness is particularly problematic, and at the core of so many negative mental health outcomes.

What is the advantage of hiring a local attorney for a startup?

Local attorneys are more likely to take special care to maintain a positive reputation in their “home court.” They are more likely to come prepared with a thorough, strategic approach to protect your business. Outside attorneys do not have this incentive, because they may never appear in that particular court again.

What two characteristics should a lawyer have when working with a startup?

Take note of what the attorney says and does, and look for the following qualities:Experience. ... Understanding. ... Ability to communicate. ... Availability. ... Rapport. ... References. ... Reasonable fees.

How can lawyers help Startups?

Lawyers can help with their network: Startup lawyers have a rich network of people and companies in the ecosystem. We work with and are associated with entrepreneurs, investors, incubation centers, accelerators, co-working spaces etc. Entrepreneurs find it difficult to get access to these networks.

Can introvert be a good lawyer?

Introverts really thrive at the problem-solving aspect of law.” Contrary to popular belief, most lawyers are not extroverts. In fact, 60 percent are introverts, according to Eva Wisnik, president of the legal training and placement firm Wisnik Career Enterprises in New York City.

Is it possible for an introvert to become a lawyer?

It is absolutely possible for an introvert to be a successful lawyer. Keep in mind that much of a lawyer's job is done in his/her office alone, or in the company of only a few other people. And introversion alone says nothing about a person's ability to be tough and aggressive when necessary.

Can an introvert study law?

Introverts make good lawyers, especially for clients who want a thoughtful answer.” Though the legal profession tends to attract introverts, both types can thrive in law. Many attorneys—such as district attorneys and public defenders—are extroverts who thrive on being in court and in negotiations all day.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

Can a lawyer be an entrepreneur?

"Lawyers turn out to be immensely successful entrepreneurs”. History says that this statement is pretty much true to an extent. Law graduates now operate in various fields, from ICT and mining to the airline industry.

What are lawyers not allowed to do?

“An Advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interview not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or procuring his photograph to be published in connection with cases in which ...

Do you need a lawyer for startup?

However, it is crucial that a startup engages a lawyer before signing anything — not just with investors, but also with co-founders. Ideally, legal advice should be obtained even before proper negotiations begin.

Why do companies need lawyers?

A Business Attorney can guide you on the applicable regulations, codes, and laws related to hiring employees or independent contractors. The right legal advice will prevent you from possible claims for discrimination, misclassification of employees, or braking state and federal laws.

Part One: Digital Marketing

First things first: If you don’t have a robust plan for digital marketing, you’ll struggle to get new clients.

Part Two: Traditional Marketing

While they may be going out of fashion in other industries, traditional marketing mediums — including TV, radio, and outdoor ads — should still be a part of your legal marketing strategy.

Part Three: Grassroots Marketing

The last component of your law firm marketing strategy is grassroots marketing.

Set Yourself Up to Get More Clients Today

All things considered, marketing for law firms involves more extensive efforts compared to most service-based businesses.

How to build trust with clients?

The key to a good relationship with your clients starts with trust, and the best way to build trust is to establish your credibility in your community. Share your experiences and knowledge with a local university. Volunteer to talk at your law school about your field.

Why is online marketing important for lawyers?

The reason for this is that more than ever before, people are turning to the internet to seek legal help and find a lawyer.

Is it easy to start a law practice from scratch?

Building a law practice from scratch is no easy task. By focusing on the strategies above you can get your law practice on the right track and land your first clients. The key is to just jump in and get started!

How do I start my own law firm?

Every lawyer starting their own law firm needs to have a marketing plan—it’s a non-negotiable task that is essential to attracting clients. Keep an eye on how much business you’re generating from your marketing spend, and in which areas of your practice. Understand the return on investment (ROI) of your marketing efforts, and don’t keep chasing a losing bet.

What is the best advertising channel for lawyers?

Google Ads. Google Ads is a popular advertising channel for lawyers, but nailing down an exact cost to budget for is hard—you pay each time someone clicks on your ad, and it’s an auction-style cost (you bid against other lawyers), so it varies greatly.

Is online marketing a strategy?

Online marketing isn’t just an if-you-build-it-they-will-come scenario. Marketing through a great website and strong content is a winning marketing strategy, but it’s also a long game. Being patient, consistent, and having realistic expectations will help inform your plan.

Should I have a referral section for my law firm?

For lawyers starting their own law firm, referrals should have a separate section in your marketing plan. While marketing through your own efforts is important when you’re first getting started, referrals remain a cornerstone of how clients find lawyers. According to successful law firm owner, Stephen C. Paul;

How to promote yourself as a lawyer?

A great way to promote yourself on social media is through sharing your expertise and skill as a lawyer. Blogging and content marketing can be a great staple to add into your social content publishing calendar and share with your audiences. Blogging is also becoming a more critical part of a successful legal SEO strategy so by writing articles and more helpful content on your website, you’re able to boost your returns from both social networking and search engine optimization.

How to create a website for solo attorneys?

As you start to generate clients as a solo attorney, you’ll want to own your marketing assets. There are several elements that make for a good website: 1 It’s trackable, meaning you can see where people are finding you from, what marketing and advertising campaigns are working and be able to track which campaigns produce the strongest ROIs 2 It receives sufficient exposure from online organic sources, such as search engines like Google and Bing and social media websites 3 It’s professional. Make sure it’s well designed, not too simple but not too complicated, shows a professional, high-quality photo of you (the lawyer visitors are considering to hire) 4 It’s very user friendly 5 Shows your expertise while in many places, attorneys can claim to be experts or specialized in an area of law, many places also do not. Regardless, many attorneys still choose the types of cases they do and don’t work on. While you may have to watch the language you use on your website, you should use your site to position yourself as an attorney that handles cases you want to take on. 6 It’s valuable to you and prospective clients. It should have lots of useful content and information that describes what areas of law you practice, the types of situations that clients may be facing that you’re able to help with. This will help you attract more of the rightrights types of clients and also allow potential clients to qualify themselves while browsing your site’s content.

Do attorneys claim to be experts?

Shows your expertise while in many places, attorneys can claim to be experts or specialized in an area of law, many places also do not. Regardless, many attorneys still choose the types of cases they do and don’t work on.

1. How Do Clients Find Their Lawyers? – Clio

31% of clients get a referral from another lawyer — Have a strong reputation for integrity. And pursue genuine relationships with others outside your (1) …

3. 12 Ways on How to Attract Big Clients to Your Law Firm

Need Clients? 12 Ways on How to Attract Big Clients to Your Law Firm · 1. Take advantage of free law firm marketing options · 5. Focus on securing referrals · 6. (7) …

5. How do you get new clients as a lawyer in India? – Quora

Be honest to your self and your client. Learn as much ad possible. By your sincere efforts to gove solutions to your client your practice will surely improve.3 answers · 70 votes: When I started my legal practice, I took a nice furnished office on high rent. The landlord (14) …

6. How To Get Clients As An Attorney – AmazeLaw

1 Friends and Family · 2 Join the Bar Association in Your Community · 3 Develop Your Online Presence · 4 Social Media · 5 Advertising · 6 Attorney Lead Generation (17) …

9. How to Get Your First Client as New or Solo Lawyer Today!

How to Get Your First Client as a New Lawyer-Today! My name is Nate Webb, I’m a lawyer with over a decade of experience practicing civil and criminal law in (27) …

10. How to find and keep clients – Canadian Bar Association

Jun 16, 2016 — One solution to ask an established lawyer that you admire – say in a medium or large law firm – “for 15-20 minutes of their time,” advised (29) …

What Does a Lawyer for Startups Do?

A lawyer for a startup helps entrepreneurs through the early legal processes involved in creating and scaling a startup.

How Much Does a Startup Lawyer Cost?

Startup lawyers can be a big investment for a startup, but it is an important investment to make sure you set your startup up for success. The hourly rate of this specialized lawyer can run anywhere from $250 to $400 an hour and up. Many early tasks can be handled on a flat fee early, like business formation and contract drafting.

Common Fee Structures for Startup Lawyers

Startup lawyers are attorneys that specialize in helping startups with legal issues early on. They can seem to be expensive early on but getting in touch with a good startup lawyer as early as possible is the best way startups can protect themselves from legal trouble.

How Do I Choose a Startup Lawyer?

Choosing a startup lawyer is an important step in the timeline of your new startup. Here are a few questions you can ask to determine which startup lawyer is right for you:

Where Can I Find a Startup Lawyer?

If you have a new startup, forming a relationship with a startup lawyer should be a top priority. Obtaining legal counsel to walk you through the beginning phases of formation will make a lasting impact on your company.

Meet some of our Lawyers

Experienced and broad based corporate/business attorney and Outside General Counsel (OGC), for start-ups, small businesses and growing companies of all sizes, advising and assisting clients with corporate and LLC formation, contracts and agreements, internet and terms of use/service agreements, trademarks and intellectual property protection, the purchase and sale of businesses (M&A), labor and employment matters, compliance and risk management, corporate governance, and commercial leasing matters.

Do corporate lawyers prefer business?

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a corporate lawyer secretly—or, in many cases, not so secretly—would prefer a career in business. Any recruiter who speaks regularly with corporate/transactional associates at big law firms invariably hears that their eventual goal is to move over to the business side, or at least to get closer to the business. But what many of these attorneys fail to realize is that there are ways to continue practicing law while still getting to flex those business muscles as a key member of the top-level strategic team at fast-paced, growing companies. Now, does that sound like something you might be interested in?

Is a startup a risky endeavor?

Startups are inherently risky endeavors. As Whistler Managing Director Kathleen Mon sees it: “ Startups are disruptors. If you want that life, you have to be about that life. If you want to work in this space, you can't expect to follow the typical legal career path.

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Networking

  • “Sigh.” I know, my thoughts exactly. We all know how exhausting legal networkingcan be. But for a lawyer starting their own firm (or frankly any professional entering a new field) this is one of the most important things you can do. A common mistake lawyers make is to network only with fellow attorneys. While fellow attorneys can be a great source of referrals, it’s also important to …
See more on clio.com

Referrals

  • For most experienced attorneys, referrals are what keep them in business. Most young attorneys want to get to this level of sustainability quickly, but they may not know the necessary things they must do to get there. Cultivating quality relationships with both clients and lawyers is the key to building your law practice through referrals. That means you need to go above and beyond the b…
See more on clio.com

Public Appearances

  • Public speaking is not always the first thing that comes to mind when lawyers brainstorm on how to generate new business, but it can be very effective nonetheless. The key to a good relationship with your clients starts with trust, and the best way to build trust is to establish your credibility in your community. Share your experiences and knowledge with a local university. Volunteer to tal…
See more on clio.com

Online Marketing

  • Online marketing for lawyers has become a hot topic and a highly competitive space over the past decade. The reason for this is that more than ever before, people are turning to the internet to seek legal help and find a lawyer. If you want to have any chance of succeeding in today’s legal world, you’ve got to have a presence online, and you’ve got to use technology to help grow your l…
See more on clio.com

Conclusion

  • Building a law practice from scratch is no easy task. By focusing on the strategies above you can get your law practice on the right track and land your first clients. The key is to just jump in and get started! Pick a strategy and run with it. It isn’t going to happen overnight. But, given enough time, and with a consistent effort, you will surely...
See more on clio.com