Starting Out: Resources for New Lawyers

this text serves as a practical toolkit for lawyers venturing into solo or small firm practice. It demistifies the business aspects of law practice, beginning with the basics of setting up a law practice, including choosing a business structure, defining the scope of practice, and ensuring compliance with law society regulations. The text progresses to business development, branding, and creating an online presence, accounting needs. Client management is addressed, focusing on the solicitor-client relationship, communication, and managing difficult relationships. The book also delves into file management, fiscal management, and contingency planning, providing strategies for maintaining cash flow and planning for unforeseen circumstances. Day-to-day realities of managing time, working with staff, and navigating virtual work are discussed, along with the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. Throughout, it offers checklists and questions to guide practitioners in making informed decisions, while acknowledging the individuality and creativity each practitioner brings to their work.

This book deals with new, more stringent legal considerations, rapidly evolving technology, and includes resources for lawyers struggling with the stresses of the profession. In addition to updates throughout, the following chapters have been substantially revised: Incorporation, Setting up your Office, Employees, Tax and Other Employers' Obligations and Law Society and Other Professional Obligations.

The book is designed to help lawyers navigate through the pandemic and come out stronger when we are through this. There are the typical business tips and strategies included. However, they are modified to consider restrictions, lockdowns, and other impediments we are currently facing. This book goes beyond business. It includes tips on staying healthy, for both mind and body. How to cope with all the negativity out there, and focus on growing a successful and sustainable law practice. It crosses all practice areas and geographical locations.

This guide book is for lawyers who want to learn and start to practice effective approaches to business development. It takes the reader through the creation of a business plan, which involves target-market research to completing an action plan to implementation of the same offering tips along the way.