LegalMatch Marketing for Attorneys

Unpaid Interns and Their Work Product

Currently, the U.S. Department of Labor allows attorneys to hire unpaid interns. Is there a correlation between wage and good work product? Or is it possible that employees separate their work quality from wage? Most likely, the amount an intern is paid has a direct effect on the work they produce.

The price of a paid intern starts at minimum wage. And to find a competent intern, you must spend the time recruiting and training them. If you cannot afford to pay an intern, then you may not be able to afford to train them or have enough work to give them. An intern is merely an attorney-in-training; an intern is not a person to lessen your load of work. With that said, you cannot give her a pile of work without any training and expect the intern to know what to do. The intern has a learning curve. Unless you spend the time to give the intern directions and guidance, you are wasting yours and your intern’s time.

The quality of an unpaid intern may be less than the quality of a paid intern. The pool of applicants competing for an unpaid position is much smaller. Most students cannot afford to work for free, therefore most do not bother applying to unpaid positions. More qualified students compete fiercely for paid and more lucrative positions. Moreover, some law schools such as Boalt Hall have a policy that forbids law firms from hiring students for free.

Lastly, a paid employee will be happier than an unpaid employee. The paid intern will value her work more and will do a better job. She knows her work is valuable because it is attorney work product that can be billed out to the client. And if the intern can receive compensation for hours you are billing, she will gain work satisfaction. A happy (and compensated) intern is more likely to produce quality work than an unpaid intern.  

 

 

"How LegalMatch Works for My Practice" by Charles Damian

Charles Michael Damian established his legal practice in New Jersey in 1979 and has used LegalMatch to help grow his practice since 2010. 

He writes: "There was something intriguing about LegalMatch, and their dignified and detailed approach to the advertising services for attorneys that captured my attention. ...I subscribed to the Real Estate category of LegalMatch advertising; this subscription has now expanded into several other areas of the law. This advertising has resulted in the growth of my business and diversification of my legal interests."

Marketing a legal practice is never easy and it is generally regarded as a hassle to find new clients. However, Damian shares that this has become a positive experience though his use of the LegalMatch system: "I relish the part of my business day that is devoted to responding to the new LegalMatch inquiries. There is an element of immediate personal communication between prospective clients and attorneys that is unique to the LegalMatch protocol."

To read the full review, check out "How LegalMatch Works for My Practice" by Charles Damian.

The Psychology of Office Décor

Office décor can be the starting point to the type of relationship you will establish with your clients. The décor can affect the psychological mindsets of your clients. It can make clients feel welcomed and comfortable, therefore more willing to hire you as their attorney. This is part of the reason why individuals and businesses spend thousands of dollars on interior decorators. But with a few tips, you can be your own interior decorator and create the perfect environment to optimize client attorney relations. 

For a welcoming environment, neutral colors, warm lighting and plants will do the trick. Neutral colors are professional, which will make your clients respect you and your practice even more so. Warm lighting makes your office feel like a welcoming place, where people can come and have open-dialogue with you. Also, neutral walls and hung mirrors will make your office appear bigger. Green plants in the office will bring good fengshui, and green colors tend to have a calming effect on people.

To have a hospitable and warming environment, a small drink and snack table will make your clients feel more comfortable. Having an organized desk will also make the client feel at ease. By offering drinks and snacks to your client, your client will feel that you two are on the same level. Additionally, when you organize desk chairs such that your chair and your clients are on the same height, it reduces the intimidation factor.

As for wall decorations, framed diplomas and paintings are a good choice. It shows that you are educated from a respectful institution and that you do have interests outside of work. It makes you a more relatable person, in which your client may bond with you on non-work related matters.

For some clients, stepping into an attorney’s office can be intimidating. Any non-legal and neutral decorations may help your clients feel welcomed. After all, a potential client who feels comfortable with you is more likely to retain you as their attorney.

 

How to Avoid Issues with E-Discovery

Electronic discovery or “e-discovery” involves the exchange of digital information for trial. Procedural laws on e-discovery are relatively new when compared to the development of law as a whole. Each jurisdiction may handle e-discovery differently, but it helps to be aware of some basic issues associated with e-discovery. Electronic discovery efforts can sometimes make or break a case.

Some issues to look out for when dealing with e-discovery include:

Number of Files being Requested: Requesting large amounts of irrelevant documents just to harass or confuse the opposing counsel is prohibited. You should also be aware if you suspect this is happening to you.

• Expert Advice: Some electronic storage databases can be relatively complex and may be difficult for untrained persons to navigate. Accessing electronic files may require the assistance of a trained IT professional. Be sure that your IT person can communicate with you directly and efficiently when requesting files or seeking files.
• Electronic Terminology: Similarly, electronically stored information has its own terminology and technical language. Be sure that all personnel and all parties to the case are clear when dealing with technical terms such as “image”, “digital media”, and other more technical words.
• Understand the Process: Obtaining ESI is not as simple as retrieving a file on a computer. The information must often be located, placed on hold, verified, and extracted before it can be used as evidence. This needs to be factored in when considering court deadlines and timelines.

Lastly, you need to stay aware and keep up with major updates and changes in this area of law. As technology advances, especially with mobile and bring-your-own devices, civil discovery laws will need to adapt as well. Spend the time and resources to educate yourself on these developments, and consult with a person who can advise you in more detail when it comes to the technical side of legal practice.

Learn to Say “NO” to Potential Clients

Attorneys go to law school for different reasons. One common reason is to help people take control of their lives. Assisting those clients who need it most is what makes your job feel good and rewarding.  

Being a humanitarian and wanting to save the world is great! …if you’re Mother Theresa. But you’re not. You are running a law practice. And a law practice is a BUSINESS.

Have you ever noticed a little sign in the entryway of restaurants, bars, and retail stores? It says “We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone.” It means, “Some Customers Are NOT Worth The Trouble.”

Even if you want to, you can’t help everyone who comes to you for help. Learn to say “NO,” and protect your sanity, plus your business. You don’t need the headache that comes from trying to please everyone.

That being said--use your best judgment.

There will always be some people that really do need help, deserve help, and will end up being excellent clients. Learn to pinpoint and assist good clients. And learn to tactfully reject bad ones.   

Reeling in Your Phone Lines

Do you have trouble getting people off the phone and into your office for initial consultations?

Every lawyer knows that once they get a client into the office, the chance that their services will be retained increases dramatically. A personal connection between attorney and clientele is the first and most vital step in retaining their service. But what can an attorney do to encourage the transition from phone to office?

When speaking to the client for the first time, try letting the client know you run a very personal practice. Tell her or him that you make a point to meet every client face to face during your initial consultation. Suggest that it’s important to you to make sure that you will be a good fit for them and their case: both professionally and personally. Explain your background and what law you specialize in. And mention that the best way to do that is to meet one on one at your offices. (This works particularly well with family law clients).

The client will feel more at ease and will be more willing to come into your practice and make a face to face connection. This interaction will get them comfortable enough to decide that they want a lawyer who cares about their case as much as they do.

How LegalMatch Can Help Your Communication with Clients

LegalMatch marketing services help to facilitate successful initial contacts with new clients. As a member attorney with LegalMatch, you receive access to client case-postings that are specific to your location and your practice areas. When you make an initial contact with a potential client, you already know quite a lot about the client's situation. This maximizes your ability to determine quickly which leads you want to take on as clients.

For a detailed example of how LegalMatch can help you communicate with clients, check out this recent LegalMatch review by longtime member attorney Charles Damian. 

 

Empathizing with Your Client

Do you feel that your practice is lacking a more humanized, personal touch?

You may be so busy that you don’t always think about how your clients perceive you. But a positive presentation is something that should always be on your mind—and in your interactions with clients.

Some people have it already, but many attorneys are still learning what it means to empathize. Putting yourself in your client’s shoes is something you may need to practice, but it can help motivate you and put your client at ease. Let them know that you understand their situation (and if possible, relate a personal experience to their dilemma), and tell them about any similar situations you may have handled and resolved in the past.

But remember!—empathy is not just a pat on the back and an “I know what you’re going through.” Skip the canned Hallmark reassurances. If you want to make a true empathetic connection, you will need to listen and relate. You don’t need to be their therapist, but you should be their confidante.

Empathizing with your client will encourage comfort and ultimately establish trust. And with over 88% of consumers claiming that it’s important to trust their lawyer, an ability to express empathy can be a key factor in your client’s decision to retain your services.     

 For more law practice tips, connect with us on LinkedIn or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!