Law Practice Tips

Below are tips for writing law firm press releases and links to samples from solo and small firm websites. An occasional press release can raise your firm's visibility and improve its online reputation. They are an inexpensive and effective marketing tactic for solos and small firms. Publish press releases at your firm website and submit them them to bar associations and editors of local newspapers and magazines. Also consider contacting editors to offer articles on topics in your practice areas. For more tips, see articles about the  art of press releases , building a press page ,  distribution services , emailing clients ,  getting into papers ,  importance of press releases,   managing public relations ,   publishing online , and  writing style ,  Also see books for lawyers about  Public Relations  and  Working with Reporters .  Tips Start with a sentence that has lists the city, state, month, day and year  Follow the first sentence with a paragraph that summarizes the content o

Firms use slogans (sometimes called taglines) to make themselves more memorable. Slogans are usually limited to a few words and describe unique features of the firm. They can be prominently displayed on websites, business cards, and stationery. When choosing or changing a slogan, use words that are timeless and easy to remember. Consider using a logo with the slogan to stand out like the Black Knight on the business card used by  Palladin , the lead character of the 1950’s TV Western. For more tips, read articles about building a brand ,  designing a logo ,  selecting a slogan ,  ethical considerations , taglines vs slogans , and using them in email . For inspiration, see taglines adopted by famous corporations  and  large law firms . Also see the following examples from websites of solos and small firms.    Sample Taglines Bridge From Big Firm Experience  (Silverberg Zalantis, Tarrytown, NY) Cardoso Cares  (Cardoso Law, Pensacola, FL)  Call Earley, Before It's Too Late  (Law Offic

Volunteering helps lawyers to stay connected and make new contacts. Volunteers improve their sense of well-being, enhance their reputation, and attract clients to their firms. Start volunteering by visiting the ABA Directory of Volunteer Activities  and the ABA Pro Bono Website . See the articles listed below for volunteering tips and visit law Firm websites for examples of lawyers serving their communities.  Articles Benefiting from Community Service Branding Yourself with Community Service Building Your Community Presence Giving Back to Your Community Helping Associates Do Pro Bono Marketing Power of Community Service Senior Lawyers Serving Pro Bono Supporting Your Community Young Lawyer Involvement Working on Political Campaigns Law Firm Websites Kean Miller (Baton Rouge) William Berenson (Ft. Worth) Kang Haggerty (Philadelphia) Chris Early  (Boston) Breakstone White & Gluck (Boston) John Day (Nashville) Chepenik Trushin (Miami)

Below is a checklist of strategies for keeping clients happy.  Happy clients pay bills promptly and refer new cases.  See the articles and books below for more tips on keeping clients happy. Client Checklist Accommodate clients with mobility issues  Adopt technical innovations  Celebrate personal milestones Communicate periodically with status updates Keep reception areas attractive Meet deadlines and priorities Offer hospitality (e.g. beverages and snacks) Publish newsletters with preventive law tips Smile in-person and on the phone Use client portals for messaging, etc. Articles Appointing a Chief Happiness Officer Client Management Communicating with Clients Correcting Mistakes Dealing with Difficult Clients Getting Clients to Do Their Homework Improving Hospitality Including Fun at Work Managing Clients  Keeping Clients Happy Making Offices Hospitable Portals for appointments, billing, and messaging Providing Exceptional Service Strategies for Client Service Using Greeting Cards Bo

Speaking can attract clients, build reputations, and win cases. Remember to speak with enthusiasm, project your voice, and vary your pace, pitch and volume, and use the power of the pause. For more tips, read articles about public speaking ,  speaking style , speeches that attract clients ,  talking tips , and using your voice effectively . For in-depth study, read books for lawyers about  Being Articulate ,  Presentation Skills ,   Storytelling Techniques ,  and  Speaking Outside the Courtroom . Visit article archives maintained by the  National Speakers Association , the Public Speaking Project , and Toastmasters . .   

Well-designed offices can attract clients, boost productivity, and enhance well-being. Improve your office by adding amenities, displaying artwork, creating areas for socialization, increasing natural light, improving air quality, and using soothing colors.  Welcome clients and recruits by posting a video tour at your website. See below for articles and video tours to get design ideas for your firm. ARTICLES Checklist for Office Design Designing the Hybrid Office Enhancing Reception Areas Faci litating Collaboration Improving Offices Going Virtual Office Design Open environments Money saving designs Small firm layouts Reception areas Reducing Size of Offices Reimagining the Office Tips for legal professionals Transitioning after Covid Trends in law office design VIDEO TOURS Ben Glass Law (Fairfax, VA) Benincasa Law Firm (Verro Beach, FL) Blick Law Firm (Tampa, FL) Corson and Johnson (Eugene, OR) John J Malm & Associates (Naperville, Illinois) McClure Law Group (Dallas, Texas)

Enhance your reputation by nominating yourself yourself and your firm to receive an award recognizing achievements, contributions, and innovations. Mention awards on blogs, cards, and websites. Apply strategically and don't take it personally when passed over for awards. Continue trying in future years and submitting to alternative organizations and publishers. See below for awards for lawyers and articles with tips for winning them. Articles About Awards Alternatives to Awards , Attorney at Work Assessing Lawyer Awards , Above the Law How to Win Awards , The Ladder Why Awards are Important , Ripley PR Grantors of Awards American Bar Association American Lawyer Clio Financial Trend National Law Journal Lawyer of Distinction US News Lists of Awards Gladiator Marketing Law Crossing Wikipedia

Despite the widespread use of social media for marketing, business cards remain an effective rainmaking tool. Make your card distinctive by including an image, logo, and slogan. Consider mentioning business hours and that consultations are available in person or online. Use the flip side to provide additional information like emergency contact details or translation into another language. For more ideas, read articles about designing business cards , trends in business cards , and using them for marketing . Create them on your home printer or have them engraved by an office supply store . 

Moonlighting helps lawyers advance careers, supplement income, and expand networks. It makes lawyers empowered, energetic, and productive at their jobs. Their firms benefit because moonlighters develop skills and meet prospects. Popular options include lecturing at CLE events, mediating disputes, writing books, teaching at colleges, and temporary judicial appointments. Learn more about professional activities  by reading articles about ethical considerations , law firm policies ,  moonlighting alternatives , non-legal jobs , part-time practice ,  pros and cons , and side projects . For in-depth study, read career books like the ABA's Guide to Building a Successful Law Career , NALP's Guide to Legal Specialties , and Thompson's Career Management Handbook .  

Build your reputation with client reviews at Google, Facebook, Yelp and other review sites. And improve your image with peer reviews from Justia, Martindale, and other rating organizations.  Request reviews after a positive in-person consultation or a favorable settlement. Respond to negative reviews and request removal of fake and unjustified reviews. Include links to reviews and ratings on business cards, stationery and firm websites. Respond to comments whether positive or negative. Periodically check your ratings, reviews, and online reputation.  See below for links to articles about ratings, reviews, and examples at law firm websites.   Articles Clients - keeping clients happy , better client experience , giving clients what they want Managing Reviews - action plan ,  improving reputations ,  optimizing reviews , reputation management ,   responding to reviews Review Sites  -   Facebook ,   Google ,  Yelp , and  other lawyer review sites Rating Organizations  - Justia ,  Martind

P ostcards are an easy and inexpensive way to stay in touch with clients, prospects, and referral sources. Use postcards to alert readers to office changes, new lawyers, and legal issues. Use wording that reminds readers that you can help solve legal problems and win lawsuits. Send postcards by US Mail or attach them to an email. For more tips, read articles about  lawyer marketing  and ethical considerations . Also see articles about direct mail marketing and communicating with email ,  letters ,  mail ,  postcards  and greeting Cards . See below for features to consider and sources for purchasing and mailing postcards.  Features Brevity - be concise to promote readership Communication - use text to connect with clients Graphics - add eye-catching images and photos Marketing - educate readers about legal services Sources Vista Print   - customized Postcard Mania -  off-the-shelf cards by industry (including lawyers) Modern Postcards  -  customized Postcard Services -  customized Te

Writing articles for magazines, newsletters, newspapers and websites  is sometimes called  content marketing . Writing articles can  help drive traffic to firm websites, attract new clients, and bring media inquiries and speaking engagements . Submit them to publishers of  print and online and online media. Send articles to clients to attract new business. Select timely topics and avoid legal jargon. Create an editorial calendar so that articles are published on a regular basis. Republish articles at your firm website and in your LinkedIn profile.  Get more tips by reading articles about e-mailing clients ,  how to write  articles, and  writing to win clients . Also see books about Content Marketing ,  Marketing Checklists , and Online Publishing Strategies . For help getting started, consider licensing content from Blumberg or Justia . or hiring writers to produce it. 

Websites can attract new clients and improve communications with existing ones. For inspiration, visit exemplary websites on display at  Juris Digital ,  Consult Web , and  Disruptive Advertising . For reference, see articles about Adding a Chatbot ,  Creating Landing Pages ,  Improving Law Firm Websites , Essential Elements of Websites ,  Marketing Tips for Solos  and Search Engine Optimization . For deeper study, read the ABA's Guide to Marketing on the Internet  and Steven Krug's Don't Make Me Think .  Consider using a consultant that specializes in law firm websites like FindLaw , Justia , Lawlytics , and Martindale . Also, see below for a checklist of  essential features to consider for your website. BEST FEATURES FOR FIRM WEBSITES About us - include a page with the firm's history, its focus, and how it solve problems and wins cases Blog - add a page to blog legal tips, news about your firm, and developments in the law Chat - include chatbots and assign responsib

Below are links to management and marketing resources for solos and small firms. Most are free and those with a fee are affordable. They include articles, books, products, and services. Use the links to expand your knowledge and build your practice. Articles: ABA ,  Findlaw , Justia , Lawyerist , and Lawyers.com Associations :  ABA ,  State , Local , and Specialty Bar Associations Blogs : Attorney at Work ,  Bob Ambroggi ,  Nicole Black , Jim Callaway ,  Carolyn Elefant , Joan Feldman , Catherine Reach  and Larry Bodine  (see Lexblog  to start blogging) Books: Building a Law Practice , Capturing and Keeping Clients ,  Legal Technology Guide , Marketing on the Internet , Small Firm Roadmap , and Solo By Choice CLE  - ABA CLE , LawLine , and  Solo Practice University   Directories:   FindLaw ,  Justia , Lawyers.com , and  Martindale  (see rankings ) Discussion Groups :  Solo Sez  (see  review  of discussion groups for lawyers) Marketing : Blogging ,  Business Cards ,  Pamphlets , Broch

Educational videos and webinars are an inexpensive and effective way to attract new clients and keep in touch with existing ones. Webinars can establish your reputation and increase your visibility on the Internet. Consider holding monthly or quarterly webinars as live events and recording them for replay by those unable to attend. Create an archive of past webinars at your firm website and launch a YouTube page to broaden their availability. Norm Rubenstein with the Zeughauser Group cautions webcasters to provide in-depth thought leadership to attract viewers and consider podcasting as an audio alternative to webcasting.  For more webinar tips, r ead articles about  checklists ,  hosting ,  planning , producing ,  promoting , YouTube , and  Zooming webinars . Also see our post about marketing with podcasts . For in-depth study, read books like the Lawyers Guide to Marketing on the Internet , Marketing with Webinars , and  Webinars for Dummies .  See below for links to Law Firm Webina

Virtual consultations are becoming a popular alternative to face-to-face meetings, especially for initial consultations. They are convenient for clients and productive for lawyers. Build rapport   by being prepared, attentive, and empathetic.  Use a client friendly platform like Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or Zoom. Learn additional tips from the articles listed below. Also see our blog posts about apps for scheduling appointments  and improving client intake . Articles: Guide to Building a Virtual Law Firm  (Clio) How to Conduct Video Consultations  (Lawyer Marketing) How to Start a Law Firm in the Virtual Law Office Era   (Thomson Reuters) Making Virtual Consultations More Enjoyable  (Law Firm Suites) Virtual Consultations: Applying the Rules Virtuall y (Attorney at Work) Starting a Virtual Practice (FindLaw) Books Delivering Legal Services Online (ABA) Guide to Virtual Lawyering (NYSBA)

Contact pages are an essential part of law firm websites. They facilitate communication with prospects and clients by providing the firm's address, phone number, and a form for emailing, or texting, or live chat.  Contact pages can be linked to client relationship software to improve client intake, marketing, and case management. Consider including  a disclaimer that a contact form submission or email does not initiate an attorney-client relationship.  Improve your firm's contact page by reading articles about  client relationship software , contact disclaimers ,  designing contact pages , improving client contact , and  the importance of client contact pages . For further study, read ABA books about  Internet Marketing   and  Virtual Offices . See below for links to sample contact pages with the name of the client relationship software integrated into the page.  Examples of Contact Pages Frankl & Kominsky , Boynton Beach, FL (Captorra) Law Office of David M. Goldman , Jack

Feedback enables firms to evaluate client satisfaction, determine client need for additional services, and provide testimonials for firm websites. Seeking feedback shows clients that you care about them. Methods include adding a Feedback Form to firm websites, emailing surveys, inserting questionnaires with invoices, and inviting clients and staff to serve on advisory panels. For more tips, read articles about  advisory boards ,  feedback programs , client surveys , creating testimonials ,  ethical considerations,  survey techniques , questionnaires ,  responding to feedback , seeking feedback , and   survey tips  and  techniques . View samples of online questionnaires  and  feedback forms . Also see printed forms of client surveys ,  exit questionnaires , and our blog posts about managing reputations  and marketing plans . Remember to check ethical requirements of your state bar before publishing testimonials. Below are links to sample Testimonial Pages at solo and small firm websites

"The medium is the message" is a phrase made popular in 1964 by Marshall McLuhan in his best-selling book about media.  For maximum impact, carefully  select the medium when communicating with clients, lawyers, and staff. See below for communication options and articles, books, and samples of them.  Alternatives Articles - publish articles online and in print to enhance your reputation Face-to-face - best for emotional or difficult topics Email - useful for assigning tasks, following-up, and seeking clarification Letters - useful for formal communications and transmitting documents Memos  - report research results Meetings - best for complex and controversial matters Note cards  - use for informal communications to express concern or gratitude  Phone Calls - useful for dialogue about complicated subjects Social Media - effective for staying connected Texts - limit use to short messages Video - effective for courtroom presentations and marketing legal services Webinar