Practice Management

I have said it time and again.  Life is to short going through it looking homely, tired and ugly.  And yet I get calls and emails every day from attorneys, especially new attorneys or those just going into private practice, that feel a little uneasy and want to start chasing clients and cases they do not really want.

Why?

Money.  It is all about making a living, is it not?  Buying shoes for the kids.  Putting food on the table.  Not worrying so much.

I understand it.  I get it.  That is I understand the fear or concern.  I do not understand the need to chase cases you do not want.

If you are setting up shop to go after consumer bankruptcy clients, what the hell are you doing taking family law cases that put you in a different set of courts, dealing with a different set of people, and dealing with a different set of problems you know nothing about?

Going into the private practice of law takes a little faith.  I admit it.  It can be a little scary.  I know this well.  But, if you want to handle family law cases, then go do that.

If the fear is that you will come up short, how does chasing a few cases outside of your chosen field help?  You only have so many hours in the day.  You can only do so much.  When you are wrestling with those skanky cases you really do not want, except for a little spending money, you could be hitting the pavement, meeting people, and soliciting the cases you really want.  When your efforts and your attention get diverted you will not do as well.

It is really a self-fulfilling prophesy.  You chase the other cases and clients because you are worried about not succeeding with the cases and clients you want, and as a result you do not succeed because you have diverted your attention and divided your efforts.

And, the truth of the matter is that if you try to broaden your core services or practice area to please a wider group of clients, the chances are great that you will make your core clients less satisfied.  Why?  You will not have time to tend to their problems and issues.

So, stay focused.  Niche it.