So, You Want to Be a Managing Partner? Make Sure You Embody These Qualities First.

March 2nd, 2018

Whenever someone I know becomes a firm’s managing partner, I always express my congratulations and condolences. Yes, it certainly is a feather in one’s cap to be the Big Cheese at a law firm. But, let’s be frank; it’s a tough job. Ask any managing partner and they’ll often tell you that practicing law is far easier than managing a law firm. ... Read More

Categories: Practice Management

How to Approach Difficult Conversations About Succession Planning

February 8th, 2018

Talking about a firm’s future is hard enough. Build onto that the need to plan for a future that doesn’t include a senior attorney… Talk about awkward! There is also fear on the part of younger lawyers. It can often feel confrontational to approach senior lawyers and ask about their future plans. ... Read More

Categories: Retirement/Succession

Solos and Small Firm Owners: Don’t Delay Your Succession Planning

December 28th, 2017

Succession is perhaps the most significant long-term challenge facing soon-to-be-retired, baby-boomer solo practitioners and small law firm owners. This is understandable, as a variety of psychological and emotional factors stack the odds against you laying the foundation for a smooth transition. ... Read More

Categories: Retirement/Succession

How to Know If & When the Time Is Right to Switch or Tweak Practice Areas

November 29th, 2017

After several years (or perhaps decades!) of practicing in a specific area, it’s no wonder you are considering change. What is prompting your desire for change, though? Boredom? Market changes? A desire to get out completely? Or an internal drive to simply spice things up a bit? ... Read More

Categories: Business Development, Practice Management

What Lawyers Can Learn From Apple When Setting Billing Rates

October 30th, 2017

Last month, Apple unveiled its new iPhone X to much fanfare. Perhaps what created the most fanfare was its price. It starts at $999; hundreds more than the older iPhone 7 and the brand-new iPhone 8. ... Read More

Categories: Business Development, Practice Management

Succession Planning Scenarios for Solos & Small Law Firm Owners

September 13th, 2017

For solo practitioners and small law firm owners seeking retirement, here is a quick, down-and-dirty summary of the succession plan strategies available to you. Put another way, here are three structural ways that soon-to-be retired lawyers can “sell” their practices. ... Read More

Categories: Retirement/Succession, Selling Your Practice

How to Retain Clients When a Lawyer Retires: Plan for the Skill Gap

August 4th, 2017

A critical component of a law firm’s succession plan is to figure out how to retain the firm’s best clients when senior lawyers retire. Most law firms quickly jump to determine who in the firm is either ready to step up or ready to undertake proper mentoring and training to step up in the future. Before making this determination, however, it is important to ask several questions. ... Read More

Categories: Business Development, Retirement/Succession

The ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’ Marketing Plan

July 17th, 2017

If you’ve searched the web for marketing plans, you’ve likely noticed that most so-called legal marketing experts recommend putting together a formal marketing plan. I suppose I fall into that camp — having a marketing plan is a necessity. But I am a contrarian in one key respect. ... Read More

Categories: Business Development, Practice Management

Preparing Your Practice for Sale? Don’t Do Stupid S**t.

June 5th, 2017

Soon-to-be retired solo practitioners and small law firm owners who are thinking of selling their law firms frequently ask, “Is there anything special or unique that I should do now to maximize my practice’s value?” Whenever I hear that question, I can’t help but think of President Obama’s remark about how to best manage world affairs: “Don’t do stupid s**t.” That advice holds true for lawyers contemplating selling their practice. ... Read More

Categories: Selling Your Practice

10 Questions to Answer When Creating Your Law Firm Strategic Marketing Plan

May 12th, 2017

When putting together your law firm’s marketing plan as part of your business development and strategic planning efforts, don’t fall into the trap of simply doing what you did last year. Sure, that may be enough to keep the lights on for another year. But, don’t you want to achieve more for your firm? ... Read More

Categories: Business Development

Our firm is glad we went through the strategic and succession planning process with Roy and have implemented many of his suggestions. Not surprisingly, some, though not all, of Roy’s ideas were things that I, as the firm’s leader, had wan…" Read the rest

– Managing partner, small central NE law firm

Dec

Fearing Retirement? Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

December 1st, 2018

Last month, I went out to dinner with some friends. One friend announced to the group that, after working for a large telecommunications company for more than 25 years, he was being offered an opportunity to retire early with some very nice incentives. He further informed us that he had intended to retire within the next year. So, the offer was not going to change his planned retirement date in any significant manner.

Nov

Debunking the Biggest Rainmaking Myth

November 5th, 2018

“I can never be successful at rainmaking because I’m an introvert.” Does this sound like you? I have one word in response to this common refrain from lawyers: Bulls***. Quite frankly, this is a myth that provides an easy excuse to avoid doing what all attorneys know they need to do: get out of the office to create and develop relationships with potential client and referral sources. So, simply put, you can be successful at rainmaking even if you’re an introvert. Here’s how.

Roy Ginsburg Roy is a lawyer by training and trade. He has 30-plus years of experience practicing and representing clients in a variety of environments: big law firms, small firms, in-house counsel and solo practice. He still practices part-time in a solo practic…

Email: Phone: (612) 812-4500 Toll-Free: (888) 212-8138 Fax: (612) 224-9364

Posts

So, You Want to Be a Managing Partner? Make Sure You Embody These Qualities First.

How to Approach Difficult Conversations About Succession Planning

Solos and Small Firm Owners: Don’t Delay Your Succession Planning

How to Know If & When the Time Is Right to Switch or Tweak Practice Areas

What Lawyers Can Learn From Apple When Setting Billing Rates

Succession Planning Scenarios for Solos & Small Law Firm Owners

How to Retain Clients When a Lawyer Retires: Plan for the Skill Gap

The ‘Keep It Simple, Stupid’ Marketing Plan

Preparing Your Practice for Sale? Don’t Do Stupid S**t.

10 Questions to Answer When Creating Your Law Firm Strategic Marketing Plan

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