Notas do Editor

1. Thank you Karen.I spend much of my time working on client development for attorneys. In addition, today’s panel members are both young lawyers that are exceptional at client development. In a few short years, they quickly developed their own clients. Hopefully their experiences will give you insight into what you need to do over the next few years.I have Two main goals today:To create a philosophical change in the way you think of client development as a major part of your job as an attorney.To provide you some of the tools you can utilize in your client development efforts as a new associateThese are tools that you can utilize whether you are going to a big firm or a small firm.In addition, these are tools are very similar to the tools you utilize in searching for a job. [TEXAS LAWYER]
2. According to the ABA, there are 1,203,097lawyers actively practicing in the United States with 40,000 more graduating from law school every year.Approximately a 2% increase
3. In Texas, there is approximately77,049 licensed attorneysSo it’s not like the old days … [NEXT SLIDE]
4. In the old days: You graduated from law school Returned to your home town Hung up your shingle Everyone knew you and knew that you were a lawyer Lawyers in those days practiced all types of law whether it was real estate law, family law or criminal lawBack then, You do good work and the phone would ring. Over time it changed to: it was not what you know, but who you know.Now it is Who Knows What you KnowTexas Population in 2009 was almost 25 million people. (24,782,302)329 people per lawyer and that number is decreasing every year
5. It’s basically letting the industry in which you practice know that you exist, what you do and why you are great at it.
6. So, what client development tools are available to a typical attorney:AttorneyPublic Relations (Speaking Events, Publish Articles)Web Development (Blogs, Google Alerts, Bio on Firm Website, Social Networking)Directing Mailing (Personal Letters, Educational Materials, AnnouncementsBranding(Sponsorships, Advertising)Networking & Referrals(Social Functions, Joining Organizations & Committees, Lunches & Dinners)Phone Calls & Emails (Developing New Relationships, Maintaining Relationships)SO HOW CAN ONE PERSON DO ALL THIS! [CLICK]
7. Well the answer is you can’t do everything (at least at this stage of your life). So you have to find the right mix for you.
8. So what stage are you in? These are the various stages through your career. The Good news is that the Rainmaker, which is the honey pot of client development, can be obtained early on in your career.
9. Learn To Be A Great Lawyer: Your main priority is just learning how to be a lawyer. Take every opportunity to learn and hone your lawyering skills. Arrive on time and stay until the jobs done. Ask thoughtful questions. Pay close attention to detail. Meet deadlines. Seek feedback about your performance. Find a good mentor to help you with your business skills and time management. Your Main Client Is Your Boss and the Firm: Treat your supervising attorney as your client. For now, they are your client. Get to know what they want, what they need and find ways to exceed their expectations. Learn about the firm and get to know the other attorneys.Build a Referral Database: Keep in touch with your old and new contacts. Build an excel database filled with your old classmates and friends from high school, college and law school. As you join organizations such as the local bar associations or young lawyers association, add people you meet there to your database. Mark those that you think are most likely to go far in business or send you a lot of business and regularly work those relationships.Join the Local Bar Association Join the local bar association and/or the young lawyers association. GET INVOLVED! Don’t just join, but find a way to be active. Otherwise, you just paid a lot of money for a newsletter. Develop a Business Plan: Develop a Business Plan that outlines your goals and objectives. Review it monthly and create action items to make sure you accomplish your goals. Stay on Top of Current Events: Subscribe and read business publications and newspapers. This should be a daily practice and will help you understand the business world and allow you to find opportunities for your client. Setup Google Alerts to send you daily emails about the areas you are interested. You should set one up for your name, each client and your client contact’s name, as well as industry topics. iGoogle allows you to see news every time you open your browser. This all gives you knowledge of the industry in which you practice and hopefully a few tidbits that you can pass on to your client. Face to Face Meetings: Have lunch w/ your clients. Make it a goal for at least one lunch per week. Take your clients to sporting events or social events.
10. Find Your Niche: It will take several years but you will need to find your niche in the legal industry. You can’t be all things to all people. So you will have to focus your practice on a specific area of the law or business industry. You are more likely to be successful if you are an employment law attorney focusing on the hospitality industry than if you were a general commercial litigator. And once you find your niche, let the world know! Join Organizations/Network: As you develop your practice, join organization in the industries in which you practice (i.e., oil and gas, real estate, construction, etc). Stay on Top of Current Events: As your practice niche forms, subscribe to and consider publishing in those industry publications. Write/Speak: It might be a few years before you can do this but look for opportunities to speak at events or publish articles in the media on your area of expertise. This will help build your credibility as an expert in your field.
11. So what does the client want? The ultimate goal is to provide your client with an exceptional experience.So rather than me telling you what the client wants, here it is in their own words:
12. These are actual comments from law firm clients courtesy of the WickerPark Group who does nothing but analyze client feedback.Bottom Line - You are there for the client
13. Bottom Line - Be Honest / Communicate
14. Bottom Line - Know your client’s industry and their business
15. Bottom Line - Look for opportunities for your client and Provide an exceptional experience.
16. Thank you Karen.I spend much of my time working on client development for attorneys. In addition, today’s panel members are both young lawyers that are exceptional at client development. In a few short years, they quickly developed their own clients. Hopefully their experiences will give you insight into what you need to do over the next few years.I have Two main goals today:To create a philosophical change in the way you think of client development as a major part of your job as an attorney.To provide you some of the tools you can utilize in your client development efforts as a new associateThese are tools that you can utilize whether you are going to a big firm or a small firm.In addition, these are tools are very similar to the tools you utilize in searching for a job. [TEXAS LAWYER]