Episode: 7
4/25/2016
Host: RJon Robins – Owner & CEO
How To Manage A Small Law Firm
Falicia Williams
Managing Attorney
Fathers’ Rights Law, P.A.
Russel C. Ford
Founder
FordMurray
Gary L. Medlin
Founder/Owner
The Medlin Law Firm
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Lightning Round
Question 1: The very first hire for every law firm owner should be their bookkeeper.
Answer 1: True, but this could be a personal thing. My weakness is numbers, which is odd for a person strong in math, so I know that I need a trusted partner and source for this portion of the business. For me, it was a primary concern and that is why I believe this has to be the first hire. If the numbers aren’t right, nothing is right.
– Russell Ford
Question 2: Law firms that are formed by a partnership between two or more attorneys have a higher chance of being financially successful than law firms that have a single attorney owner.
Answer 2: False. I think that is a bullshit story you tell yourself for a variety of reasons. You are in control of your own success. You are in control of making your success with or without a partner.
Question 3: The best place to recruit for new staff members for your small law firm is from the larger law firms.
Answer 3: False. The best place to recruit is for people with passion; people who buy into your vision; people who buy into your law firm–their success is intertwined with your success. It does not matter their background, only their fit into your law firm puzzle.
Question 4: You should never turn away a potential new client who was referred to you by another referral source.
Answer 4: False. An “A” client is an “A” client regardless of source. If a referral source sends you a “C, D or F” client, that is because you have not educated that
referral source well enough on the types of clients you seek. Use this as an opportunity to let the referral source know you appreciate the referral but will not be taking the case because (and then outline your “A” client for them).
Question 5-A: You should avoid networking with attorneys that are in the same practice area as you.
Answer 5-A: False. I completely understand RJon’s point during our show and it gives me strong reason to ponder my answer here, but I stuck with False because I feel there is value in rel ationships and, because I am secure in me, I don’t worry about their story and why their practice isn’t where they want it to be. If they seek help, I am happy to give it. If they just want to bitch, I am happy to listen, to a point, because, you never know. Maybe they move in house and remember you giving them time. Maybe they land a big client and need help servicing the client. Maybe they switch practice areas and need to refer out their
immigration work. I know time is our most limited commodity, but I enjoy filling my time with relationships, interactions, and conversation. And, in every conversation, I feel that I learn something, so no conversation is ever completely without value.
Question 5-B: You should avoid networking with attorneys that are in the same practice area as you.
Answer 5-B: True You should avoid networking with attorneys in the same practice area. Same-practice area attorneys generally aren’t going to refer cases to you so your time is better spent becoming known by attorneys in different practice areas to whom you can refer cases and who in turn can refer cases to you.
They will be happy to refer cases to you with the hope that they will also benefit with referrals received from you. You should always make sure they are aware of any clients you refer to them. The best way is to do a 3-way call introduction of the referral to the attorney.
–Gary Medlin
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