Starting Your Practice Doesn't Have To Be Hard. Read These 4 Tips
- Sehmani KingSun-Leo
- Nov 24, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 3
Let’s be real.
Stepping into a new era of your life and knowing you are on your own can be daunting. There are many reasons why new graduates or seasoned legal professionals do not decide to open their own practice. Reasons may include: No capital, no practice management training or skills to that effect, no dedicated time to build, no consistent income or networking circles are small. Whatever the reason may be, it halts some of us from taking leaps that mirror bigger firm CEO’s similarly took at one point and time.
Why do you think that is? In 2023, we have access to an abundance of information for free! Yet, once we receive all of the information to get started, it's like you may as well be a deer caught in the headlights and afraid to take the first steps. Yes, we have the information, but what do we do with all of it?
Well - I am here to take some anxiety off your plate, so let’s dive in.
Starting a sole-practice can be one of the scariest and most challenging things you can do. You have no real idea of what is next. A business plan is always great, but if you are not prepared to pivot, it will change the trajectory of your business path.
Here are some practical tips to make building your practice a little easier and getting your anxiety down to about a 3/10.
Navigating the Legal Landscape
Research on the legal market is imperative when starting up a practice. You will need to understand the market you are stepping into, especially the areas of law you may be offering services in.
For example, if you are planning to practice in criminal law, you will want to understand the relevant statistics in your area to gain an understanding of two things: your target market and what kind of services will positively serve the community. These services can include educational materials, such as guides on knowing your rights when you are stopped by the police or informational posts on social media that will have a call to action to connect with your firm.
There is a high demand for paralegals and the more knowledge you have within the specific areas you will be practicing in, the better your firm growth and strong transition will be.
Building Your Paralegal Brand: Crafting a Unique Identity in a Competitive Market
You have your firm business name and you know the location you are providing your services - great! Now what?
How important are the basics, such as a logo, a tagline and branding colors? Well - important enough to know that when clients and other stakeholders look up your online presence, you should appear put together and at the very least have an idea of how you carry your brand. How your brand is presented is a gateway to the first impression people may have about your firm brand coupled with your quality of services.
Baby steps.
Start with the:
Firm logo;
Firm tagline;
Firm website; and
the firm’s social media
Kick off your branding with the above items and use the tools at your fingertips. Now I am no gatekeeper of resources, so here are a few that may help you out at no/low cost:
Logo Design: Canva
Tagline: Shopify Slogan Maker
Website: Wix, Squarespace or Wordpress
Remember this is a kick off, however it will allow you to tell your firm's story through these marketing and branding tools - take your time!
Legal Tools of the Trade: Must-Have Resources for Every Paralegal
In my experience, a legal practitioner is nothing without certain tools to aid in the everyday workflow. Some tools and resources feel more important than others, however if I were to choose my top 5, they would be nothing without the other.
The name of the game is automation. Moving away from the world of strictly hard copy records and moving towards digitizing your practice is the key trend. I live by creating ease in the spirit of productivity while I work daily.
Here are my top 6 systems that I use as integrations to assist my workflow.
Clio (Practice management, tasks, billing and client records)
Lexus Nexus (Legal Research)
Quickbooks (Accounting)
Calendly (Appointment Booking)
Google Workspace (Email/Calendar)
All of these systems are set up to connect with one another and integrated to allow true accessibility, jumping from system to system is not an option. Want to learn more about automation? Fill out our contact form here.
DOWNLOAD OUR LEGAL TECH GUIDE FOR LEGAL PRACTICIONERS BELOW.
Networking for Success: How to Connect with Paralegals & Lawyers and Build a Strong Referral Network
Confession time: For the people that know me, they may describe me as an extrovert. Little do they know, I am a huge introvert but for the purpose of my career, I am gracefully working on being an extrovert as advocacy in the courts and tribunals has been a dream of mine for a long time. Networking has always been easy for me but it can be exhausting at the same time, especially when you are trying to build a network from scratch.
We all want to be able to just send an email or make a phone call when we need advice from a senior practitioner in our field, however, that is not always the case if you have not taken the steps in putting yourself out there.
If you are just starting out or even adding to your digital ‘rolodex’ then here are some things you can do to grow your network:
Attend legal industry events;
Utilize online platforms such as social media and forums;
Join professional associations that align with your practice or general role;
Volunteer for paralegal association committees;
Attend and engage in CLE (Continuing Legal Education) programs;
Build relationships with colleagues;
Be genuine and authentic;
Utilize alumni networks;
Follow up effectively; and
Offer value.
In conclusion, mastering the art of rolling up your sleeves and getting started is not just a skill but a cornerstone for success in the demanding field of paralegal work. The intricacies of legal tasks, the pressing deadlines, and the ever-evolving nature of cases require a strategic and disciplined approach to time in starting up your practice and your time management.
By adopting the tips outlined in this blog post, paralegals can create a roadmap that not only ensures that you are on the right path to starting your practice the right way but also cultivates a sense of order and control in an often chaotic environment. Prioritizing, scheduling, and embracing technology are not merely suggestions; they are powerful tools that can empower paralegals to navigate their responsibilities with efficiency and grace.
Remember, how we start is not how we finish and effective time management is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It's about finding a rhythm that suits your working style while staying adaptable to the dynamic nature of legal work. As you implement these tips into your daily routine, consider them as building blocks towards a more productive and fulfilling career as a paralegal. Your ability to manage time effectively is not just an investment in your professional success; it's a commitment to delivering the best possible support in building practice and, ultimately, to the clients who rely on your expertise.
Please note that all suggested platforms and service providers mentioned in this blog post are in no affiliation with KingSun Law-Paralegal Services and is in no way a paid partnership. The mentioned platforms and service providers are merely suggestions based on experience. Furthermore, any suggestions in this post should not be considered as legal advice.
What is the largest barrier in starting up a practice?
Capital
Confidence
Leadership skills
Network
BONUS:
I love movies! On every last Friday of the month, I will be sharing well known, favourite court/legal dilemma scenes and will pose a legal question to gain insight on what legal professionals have to say!
Make sure you stay connected - Join our email list and follow us on social media!
Until next time - may justice guide your journey both on and off the record.
Don't forget to leave a comment below and "like" for more!
Comments