Darryl Mountain, who is a member of the eLawyering task force of the American Bar Association, wrote a thoughtful article about the barriers that exist in opening and operating a virtual law practice.
As the world moves more and more “online” it’s thought that access to legal services needs to be made available without significant geographical restrictions. Having practiced law since 1983, I’m aware that there are many in the profession that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and requiring lawyers to have a “brick and mortar” location. This is the rule in New Jersey as well as some other states.
Darryl’s article should cause a person to think about why we have some of the rules we have. Are we protecting the consumer or are we protecting the practice/profession.
If you’ve ever thought about moving your life to a “location independent” basis, then you’ll want to be sure to consider a Virtual Law Practice as an option.
In the title I ask, “Can We Break Down the Barriers to Virtual Law Practice?’ Perhaps we might be asking, “Do we want to?”
Can You See Your Way
I had my grandsons last night. I always love it when they are around because of the constant laughter of little Eli (now 17months).
He seems to find fun in almost everything, including just spinning around in circles.
Most of us will do our best to gather around our families tomorrow for a special holiday we call “Thanksgiving.”
When you hear the laughter of younger children, or see the smile of that aged mom or dad, remember that you will be on this planet just a very short time. I’m encouraging myself, and also you, to take more than a few moments over the next few days and consider how really blessed you are.
As lawyers we are both pushed to produce, produce produce. Seldom are we given the time for personal reflection.
No doubt the law business has taken a pretty good hit over the last two years. Billings are down, collections are even lower. Some of the clients that have allowed us to serve them for years have shut their doors. Lives changed forever.
Did you ever think you’d see a day like this? Frankly, I didn’t.
But guess what: I’m appreciating some simple things these days. Although I’m still working really hard, when I’m off with my wife or with my two grandsons, I’m enjoying this time even more. Sometimes it’s just too easy to get distracted with “stuff.”
So what are you thankful for today? I’d love for you to leave a comment and perhaps encourage others by your thoughts.
Here’s what I’m thankful for:
- My wife of 37 years. She says yes to me every August. I love her more today that I ever had. When I see her engaging with our grandsons it reminds me what a great and special mother she has always been.
- I’ve got a good business designed around the practice of law. It’s good in the sense that I’m still able to provide jobs to several folks. I’m still able to help clients who are often desperate for a helping hand.
- When I go home at night, I don’t have to sit out in the rain. Even better, I’ve got a very pleasant home (well, me and the bank).
- I am being given the opportunity to add value daily to the lives of others in a number of ways. As I get a little older, I’m appreciating more and more what it means to lend a helping hand without expectation of anything in return.
- I’m being given an opportunity to participate in ministry, engage with really special men and women, and make true impact.
- I am still being allowed to teach the Bible to an amazing group of “young marrieds” who one day will be “old marrieds.”
What about you?
Leave a comment below. It will encourage others to reflect.
Enjoy the holiday. Hug somebody you love.
Dan Scott
Photo by Beleph: Flickr
I recently saw a video of a lawyer and staff member apparently rapping and dancing in one of the lawyer’s adds. The add was for a lawyer in France. Things must be a little different there.
I’m not so sure that we’ve got to be ultra-serious in all of our advertising. Perhaps we should go against the grain and poke fun to get attention.
Take 28 Seconds and watch:
Let me know what you think by commenting below. Feel free to leave me a link to other lawyer adds you found interesting.
We all know that there are at least 5 Reasons Lawyers Should Never Ask Their Clients For Referrals
Reason #1: You have a close (and I mean close) personal relationship with the Yellow Pages sales rep. “Honest, this advertisement will really convert.”
Reason #2: You don’t want to act like you really need more business. It makes you look less than successful.
Reason #3: You don’t want to abuse the trust you have built up with your clients.
Reason #4: You don’t want to take a chance of doing a less than satisfactory job with the referral client and then damage the relationship with the referring client.
Reason #5: You’ve already got more work than you can do. Referral marketing just takes too much effort.
Surely you know that these reasons are given “tongue-in-check” and not for real.
However, when you were reading them, did something inside say, “I’ve had that thought before?”
Even when times were good (got a long memory?) we all know that in order to build a real business and not just a job, we’ve got to develop relationships that will last beyond one transaction or one lawsuit. Unfortunately, many have let the rush of the day, and the steady stream of cash (that was) get in the way of building a real system for getting more and better quality referrals.
SO, on Tuesday evening, September 21st at 7:00 p.m. EST I’ll be holding a tuition-free teleseminar to look at 7 surefire strategies to get more and better quality referrals. I’m paying your tuition, but you’ve go to register.
So go to this page now to get the information.
Talk with you then.
Dan
The ABA Journal posted an article on its site titled “Is $75K the Lawyer Happiness Number? Shoes and ‘Life Assessment’ Part of Trade-off.” In the article, the author says, “Lawyers who give up big salaries should be comforted by a recent study showing that after reaching a household income of $75,000, people don’t become more happy with more money.”
This caused me to wonder. Is there some sort of mass exodus going on where lawyers are leaving big firms, perhaps teaching or “going solo” and just accepting a $75,000 salary as the price to pay?
Query: How many lawyers do you know who’ve left a firm recently (voluntarily) to take a position in the $75K range?
I’m not saying it isn’t happening. BUT, is this just anecdotal?
Query: Are you willing to live with the stress that being a lawyer entails for $75K per year?
Finally, should we be narrowing the question to one just about money rather than about life choices in general. Certainly we all know lawyers who are making scads of money and losing their families in the process. That’s a pretty steep price.
Just wondering: If you find something your really like doing (like being an excellent lawyer) is the money really an issue once you meet your primary needs: food, housing, clothing, kids college fund…..? You get the point.
Just wondering
Let me know your thoughts in the Comments.