how do clients find a lawyer

by Makayla Kris 8 min read

  • Friends and Family. Your friends and family will be one of the best referrals to help you find new clients as an attorney.
  • Join the Bar Association in Your Community. If you have absolutely no connections, the first thing you should do is join any bar associations of committees in your community.
  • Develop Your Online Presence. Social media and online browsers are great places to start finding clients as an attorney. Get started with a website.
  • Social Media. With a blog for your law firm’s website you can begin sharing content on places like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.
  • Advertising. Two methods of online advertising for lawyers is by hiring a Google Adwords agency or a Facebook Ads agency / Instagram Marketing Agency.
  • Attorney Lead Generation Services. If you’re not good with technology, social media, or websites, you can use an attorney lead generation service to find new clients.

Full Answer

How to find an excellent lawyer?

How to Find an Excellent Lawyer

  • Conducting a Background Check. Before hiring any attorney, contact the attorney disciplinary organization in your state to verify that they’re in precise standing as a member of the bar.
  • Touring the Lawyer’s Office. ...
  • Consider a Specialist. ...
  • Interview the Prospective Lawyers. ...
  • Personality. ...

How to choose the right lawyer?

  • Ask for Recommendations. If any of your friends or family have required the services of a criminal defense attorney and had great success with who they chose, ask them for ...
  • Check Out Websites. ...
  • Read Reviews. ...
  • Find Testimonials. ...
  • Look at Results. ...
  • Ask Questions. ...

What to do if you hate being a lawyer?

  • You do not mesh well or trust your fellow associates or lawyer co-workers.
  • You do not feel the senior partners appreciate you.
  • You feel there is no clear or exciting career progress.
  • You cannot deal with the constant deadlines.
  • You are sick of having to always be "on" 24/7.
  • You aren't making as much money as a lawyer as you thought you would.

More items...

How to find the right lawyer for your needs?

  • What is your education and how long have you been practicing?
  • How many cases like mine have you handled in the past?
  • Who else from your firm will be involved in my legal matter and how much of my personal time should I expect to spend on it?
  • What are the chances of successfully or unsuccessfully resolving my matter?

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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 is the most common way that people find an attorney?

– Consumers are mostly likely to turn to the Internet to find and research a lawyer before hiring them, compared with other methods, according to a new survey by FindLaw.com, the most popular legal information website. Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said they would use the Internet to help them find a lawyer.

How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:How Much Do You Like to Argue?How Motivated You Are by Money?How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?What Do You Like to Do?

How many clients should a lawyer have?

The number of clients a lawyer had can vary extremely. There are many injury firms that have 200-300 cases per attorney. At the other extreme, my firm maintains a ratio of about 7-to-1. I often tell folks that your question is the most important...

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

How do lawyers advertise?

For decades, attorneys have taken advantage of traditional advertising in the form of law firm print ads, billboards, and more. Now, thanks to modern technology, attorneys also have access to effective digital advertising in the form of pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns, search advertising, and social media.

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

Bankruptcy Lawyer. Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and handle insolvency issues for individuals or corporations. ... Business Lawyer (Corporate Lawyer) ... Constitutional Lawyer. ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Employment and Labor Lawyer. ... 6. Entertainment Lawyer. ... Estate Planning Lawyer. ... Family Lawyer.More items...

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

Kardashian first announced her decision to become a lawyer in April 2019 and is currently set to take the bar exam this year.

How do I find a personal lawyer?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

How do I market myself as a lawyer?

Work out what they need from you, especially in terms of their problems or 'pain points'. Research and then define your target audience through a variety of measures, including demographics, attitudinal, geographical and other factors, and then stand in their shoes and look at yourself through their eyes.

What lawyer won the most cases?

Gerald Leonard Spence (born January 8, 1929) is a semi-retired American trial lawyer. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Spence has never lost a criminal case either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, and has not lost a civil case since 1969.

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

Personal recommendations are influential, but so is online research

Legal consumers tend not to rely on just one resource to research a potential lawyer. Instead, they use various resources simultaneously. In the survey of 6,300 survey respondents, 43 percent said they use referrals as part of the research process, while 43 percent also list Google searches.

Your website may have more sway than your advertising

More than a third (36 percent) of legal consumers in the Martindale-Avvo study reported using attorney websites as a resource compared to just 9 percent who said print advertising was a resource. Even fewer respondents — 5 percent — cited TV/radio advertising as a resource they used to find a lawyer.

A personal recommendation is often not enough

Consumers also vetted attorneys by checking online reviews. In the survey, 46 percent of legal consumers who received a referral to a lawyer said they checked the lawyer’s reviews before contacting them. If you have plenty of positive reviews online this statistic shouldn’t trouble you.

How to meet clients where they are

For law practices, these findings affirm common knowledge that consumers research everything online — including their lawyers. To give your practice a fighting chance, survey your online presence periodically.

Tap Your Network

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

Do Some Research

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:

More Considerations When Hiring a Lawyer

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

Why is the internet important for lawyers?

The seeming reluctance of lawyers to have an online presence has a lot to do with the old legal practice of not advertising. But there are great ways to use the internet without running afoul of the restrictions on an advertisement. One of the advantages of the internet is that it is a good place to get clients as a new lawyer.

What are the advantages of being a young lawyer?

One such advantage is the use of social media. Sadly, many use it for recreation instead of business.

Why is networking important in law?

The importance of networking in attracting clients to your law firm cannot be underestimated . Networking is the process of building and nurturing mutually valuable relationships with other people. There are several ways to network. So decide on the best one for you and make yourself visible and available.

Is getting clients an art?

Getting clients in the legal profession, therefore, is an art, and only those who have mastered it thrive. Below are a few tips to help you get clients as a new lawyer and break-even in the profession.

Does the legal profession advertise?

Unlike most professions that advertise their products and services, the legal profession allows little or no advert for its members. The process of attracting clients is particularly hard for new lawyers who have just finished law school or who’ve decided to set up their own office.

Should new lawyers underestimate the importance of a case?

If you expect big clients to start walking into your brand new law firm with fat briefs, then you aren’t being realistic. New lawyers should never underestimate the importance of any case. Do not reject any matter because you consider it a small case.

What should a law firm's domain name stand out?

The domain name you choose for your law firm’s online identity should stand out and briefly highlight your area of expertise. Make sure you choose the right domain name for your law firm before going live. With your newly made law firm website, you can begin to share your knowledge on a blog.

How to spread the word about your career?

One of the first things you can do to spread the word of your career is by simply talking about it. Whenever you meet new people, let them know you’re a lawyer. What you shouldn’t be doing is giving away free advice but instead discuss what it is your law firm can do and how they can get in touch with you.

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.

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.

How to increase referrals?

Another good way to increase your referrals is to focus on a niche legal field and become known as the specialist. There are plenty of lawyers who do civil litigation or PI, and vying for referrals in those areas of practice is basically a popularity contest.

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 lawyers get clients?

One of the best solutions for how a lawyer can get clients is to stay connected with people you worked with early in your career. This includes your peers in college, law school, and your employers. Make sure you treat everyone you come into contact with as if he could be a future client.

What do clients want from an attorney?

Clients want attorneys who are likely to do the best work possible and make clear decisions. When you examine most organizations that are very successful and have been around for a long time, it is easy to see that they tend to look for “steady” people who are not particularly mercurial and seem quite competent.

What are some mistakes lawyers make?

One of the biggest mistakes attorneys (and even law students!) make, proving they do not know how to get new clients for a law firm, is ignoring that every single person they ever meet is someone who could be a client or will someday be in a position to be their client. Many attorneys believe that they are often being “smart” sizing up people they meet and trying to assess whether they could potentially be their clients. They may assume, for example, that the janitor in their building could never be their client. They may assume that the person who sells them auto insurance could never be their client. They may assume that someone who was once their biggest enemy could never be their client.

Why is it important to have a lot of business as an attorney?

Having a lot of business is essential to having security as an attorney because you will always have work to do. Having work to do will provide you the platform to hire others to work for you, to build your organization, and to further your career.

What does it mean to be familiar with an attorney?

This means phone calls on people’s birthdays. This means frequent letter updates. This means forwarding articles of interest.

What are the most important things to do in law school?

When people are in law school and even during their first few years out of law school, they tend to believe that the most important components of a successful law firm career involve (1) billing a lot of hours (meaning working hard) and (2) doing quality work. Very rapidly, however, young lawyers come to understand that just as important as doing ...

Who is your dry cleaner?

Your dry cleaner, the person who mows your lawn, the mechanic who fixes your car —whomever you can imagine is a potential source of business for you. Stay in touch with them and remember to always be nice.

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Personal Recommendations Are Influential, But So Is Online Research

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Legal consumers tend not to rely on just one resource toresearch a potential lawyer. Instead, they use various resources simultaneously.In the survey of 6,300 survey respondents, 43 percent said they use referralsas part of the research process, while 43 percent also list Google searches. Meanwhile,46.5 percent of re…
See more on martindale-avvo.com

Your Website Mayhave More Sway Than Your Advertising

  • More than a third (36 percent) of legal consumers in theMartindale-Avvo study reported using attorney websites as a resource comparedto just 9 percent who said print advertising was a resource. Even fewerrespondents — 5 percent — cited TV/radio advertising as a resource they used tofind a lawyer. A firm’s website was also important to those who received apersonal referr…
See more on martindale-avvo.com

A Personal Recommendation Is Often Not Enough

  • Consumers also vetted attorneys by checking online reviews.In the survey, 46 percent of legal consumers who received a referral to alawyer said they checked the lawyer’s reviews before contacting them. If you haveplenty of positive reviews online this statistic shouldn’t trouble you. But ifyou avoid asking clients for reviews or don’t think they matter, keep in mindthat nearly half …
See more on martindale-avvo.com

How to Meet Clientswhere They Are

  • For law practices, these findings affirm common knowledgethat consumers research everything online — including their lawyers. To giveyour practice a fighting chance, survey your online presence periodically. Isyour website in need of a refresh? Does your practice come up in searches(e.g., [your area of practice] + [your town/region])? Do you have a criticalmass of positiv…
See more on martindale-avvo.com