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Do You Maintain These Key Management & Financial Reports?

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Do You Maintain These Key Management & Financial Reports?

Numbers may not be your forte but keeping track of certain numbers is key to the success of any law firm. Here are some key management and financial reports you should prepare – or have an outside source prepare for you – to understand the business health of your law practice.

  • Cash-flow projections:

    Spreadsheets that show how cash comes in, and flows out of, your business – usually 12-18 months of revenue and expenses. Most firms run these reports annually and update them monthly.

  • Balance sheet:

    List of a firm’s assets and liabilities on a particular date.

  • Profit-and-loss statement:

    Charts a firm’s profitability, either annually or quarterly. Shows revenues, costs, and expenses, and signals to a firm that, to become profitable, it must either cut expenses, increase revenue, or both. (Also called an “income statement” or “P&L” for short.)

  • Accounts payable aging:

    Gives a picture of how much money a firm owes, to whom, and when. This valuable planning tool tells a firm which bills are due this month or somewhere down the line, usually in 30-day increments.

  • Accounts receivable schedule:

    A monthly schedule that shows how much each client owes the firm. This schedule is key to keeping on top of collections.

  • Accounts receivable aging:

    A periodic report that shows how long clients’ bills have been outstanding. Collections that are slower than normal can be a warning that a firm is slowing down or taking on risky clients.

  • Hours worked:

    Every lawyer knows there’s a difference between hours worked and billable hours; both are included in this regular report that compares these hours to a daily, weekly, or monthly billing goal. A 2012 LexisNexis survey of about 500 attorneys showed a 33 percent gap between average hours worked and hours billed to clients. The biggest non-billable time-eater was “practice management and administrative tasks,” like billing, accounting, and filing. According to the survey, bigger firms typically report fewer non-billable hours than small firms with one or two lawyers.

  • Write-offs:

    Lists bills a firm never expects to collect from clients. Write-offs can result from a client complaint about service or billing, or they can result from hours spent on cases that a firm decides not to collect. Write-offs are often used as a snapshot of a firm’s efficiency.

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Lawyers Without Paper: Global IP Law and the Importance of the Cloud

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Lawyers Without Paper by Richard Card

By Richard Gurak, Founding Partner Advitam IP, LLC

An intellectual property practice knows no geographic or political boundaries. My own practice, Advitam IP, LLC, has a network of top law firms in over 120 countries to call upon, and who call upon us.

While many concepts related to trademarks, patents, or copyrights might be similar everywhere, there are political issues, procedural issues, bureaucratic issues, customs issues, and more that must be accounted for. To maintain these networks and to stay current with changes in practice and law in nations all over the world, my partner, Michele, and I, attend world-wide conferences year-round. IP law has its own world – a big world that is often evolving faster than most local practices will ever experience – and we find these conferences are the most effective way to stay up to date.

We have found ourselves embracing all the 21st century has to offer to operate our law firm seamlessly, no matter where we find ourselves each week. By embracing software and cloud technologies, we are now 99% paper free. (Imagine that – lawyers without paper! Can it be?) This embrace of technology has done double duty. Not only are we able to attend international conferences while addressing our practice’s daily needs but being paperless has also minimized our need for office space, which allows us to reduce costs, so our clients pay less no matter how large our firm grows.

We recognize that while traditional values of hard work, diligence, commitment to clients’ needs and goals, and service to community are imperatives in the practice of law, so, too, is the need to stay on the forefront of change in the practice and delivery of legal services in the rapidly advancing technological world.

Our clients are often at the forefront of this technological world. They need us to provide custom solutions, and to be a trusted partner and advisor to protect their intellectual property assets. And they expect us to be able to respond quickly and knowledgeably. We strive to continue to fulfill their expectations.

 

Richard Gurak

Four years after their prior firm, Welsh & Katz, merged with a larger firm, Richard and his partner Michele Katz decided to satisfy their entrepreneurial aspiration. Combining their 40+ years of international intellectual property experience they formed Advitam IP, LLC.

“Advitam” is a Latin word meaning “for life,” akin to the word “tenure.” Richard and Michele say that the name was chosen to exemplify the best traditional practices of law but blended with modern technologies to benefit their clients.

Advitam IP now has 8 eight attorneys assisting firm clients and an overall support team of fifteen. The firm is still growing. They love what they do, and they love helping clients. For life.

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5 Things You Should Know if You Want to Work Virtually

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work virtually from home office

3.9 million Americans now work virtually at least half of the week, and that number continues to grow. While there can be many perks in working remotely, there can also be drawbacks unless you’re prepared. We’ve put together a list of 5 things you should know if you want to work virtually, so that you are able to enter the remote workforce and experience success, not burnout.

1. Set Business Hours & Stick to Them

When you work virtually, your home becomes your office. And while that may seem appealing to many, it can create quick burnout unless you set business hours and stick to them from the very beginning. Establishing business hours allows you to not feel tied to your computer during family time or feeling the need to open your laptop as soon as you roll out of bed.

Remember: If you were at an office, you’d be more likely to only handle work there, not at home. So treat your home office the same.

2. Create a Designated Space for Your Virtual Office

In the same way you’d have a designated office if you didn’t work virtually, you should also create a specific space for one when working from home. The reason: It allows you to leave work, “at work”. This is a crucial step in addition to tip #1 that will offer you freedom from burnout and overworking. Creating a designated space for your virtual office will also establish boundaries for any other family members that may be home during your working hours. They’ll know that when you’re in your office, you’re working, and it will help you stay focused.

If you’re self-employed and file a Schedule C, you can also claim the Home Office Deduction on your taxes.

3. Eliminate Distractions by Scheduling Breaks

Working virtually can lead to one of two scenarios: Either you are so focused on your work that you plow through any break time (including taking that lunch that will re-energize you for a busy afternoon of meetings), or you find yourself constantly being distracted by all the things you could be doing and wind up having to work outside of your scheduled hours to play catch up.

Set an alarm on your phone for a 15-20 minute break in both the morning and afternoon, and make sure to include an alarm for your lunch break. Develop the habit now of only scrolling through social media or answering personal emails during these windows to help you be the most productive during your “on-the-clock” working hours.

4. Maintain a Professional Appearance for Your Business

Have you considered the drawbacks to providing your home address or personal cell number to clients when working remotely? Amata’s Virtual Office packages allow you to obtain a professional business address from any one of our prestigious downtown Chicago locations. You’ll also enjoy the functionality of utilizing a cutting edge 3CX VoiP business phone system to maintain your privacy while working from home.

5. Enjoy the Freedoms Allowed for Those Who Work Virtually

Just because you work virtually doesn’t mean you have to be sequestered to your home during working hours. Coworking facilities offer a great place for you to work when you’re feeling the need for a change in scenery. They’re also the perfect place to hold client meetings and provide the professional environment your clients are looking for. You can even book conference rooms or day offices as the need arises as well.

Amata is rewriting the rules when it comes to remote work. Our Virtual Office programs bring your virtual working experience to a new level of professionalism and exceptionality without breaking the bank. Choose the services that work best for you and run your business the way you want from virtually anywhere.

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Proof You Only Bill 2 Hours a Day, and How Data Collection Can Help

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lawyer time tracking

You’re not a scientist or an analyst, so you may be doubtful that data collection can do anything for your firm. You are not alone. Since the orators of Greece till modern day, we have had little legal industry data to look at. However, with the shift in technology in the legal profession, data has begun to appear. And the discoveries are shocking.

The Truth About Tracking Billable Hours

Clio, a technological software built to help lawyers with time management and organization, released their first “Legal Trends” report in 2016, with a second released in the fall of last year. These two reports contain an analysis of data collected from their 40,000+ attorney clients. While their reports are thick one-inch print outs – yes, I printed them both, I am no friend of the forests now – one piece of information sticks out as especially disconcerting.

In 2016, lawyers only logged an average of 2.2 hours of billable time per day, and only billed 1.8. This result is supported in their second legal trends report, which collected data from an additional 20,000 lawyers.

Right now you may be saying ‘Not me. I’m different.’ To which I need to ask, how do you know?

As a lawyer, you understand that you cannot solely trust a person’s self-reported version of events due to bias. And our ability to not trust lawyers on their billable hours is proven. In 2012, lawyers were self-reporting numbers closer to 6.9 for an average 8.9 hour workday. Studying the quantitative numbers, such as Clio did, removes this bias. If you don’t have the numbers, you cannot be certain that a large portion of your day is not spent on non-billable work.

Scrutinizing minds may be wary of how Clio can benefit from releasing this report. Obviously, they are using this example of non-billable hours to prove to potential clients that time management is key, and, how convenient, Clio is there to help. However, don’t forget that all the lawyers included in this study are already using Clio.

One can infer most of these lawyers also take care to control their time, stay organized, etc. That’s why they turned to Clio in the first place. Which makes me wonder, how bad are the numbers for those who don’t have a clue?

How do lawyers track billable hours?

We suggest you start collecting the data yourself to learn just how productive you truly are. You can sign up for a program such as Clio or go the traditional route and use pen and paper.

  • Mark the time you start
  • Note what case you are working on
  • Note specifics on the work – document review, research, memos, etc.
  • Mark the time you stop, – and why you stopped. Was it a phone call? An issue with your printer? Another case at the back of your mind?

Interruptions are often the culprit of lost work time, so once you know the reasons you stopped working, you can work towards solutions to fixing them. Set specific hours where you answer calls and speak to clients. Go paperless. Practice your focus techniques through meditation.

But to refine your processes, it all starts with collecting that data.

See how Amata Law Office Suites can help you become more efficient in your day-to-day. With access to more than just office space, you can finally focus on what you need to – billable hours.

KIRSTEN MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH AMATA OFFICE SOLUTIONS

 

Kirsten Mayfield, Director of First Impressions with Amata Office Solutions

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Guitar Chicago: Relieving Stress & Providing Outlets for Busy Chicago Attorneys & Other Professionals

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Guitar Chicago: Relieving Stress & Providing Outlets for Busy Chicago Attorneys & Other Professionals

Amata Law Office Suites’ member James Lenger of Guitar Chicago is bringing stress relief and renewed focus to attorneys, IT professionals, those in the finance industry, and more with guitar lessons – and all for an impressively low cost.

Low Cost, High Reward

Typical lessons run between $80-90 for an hour and offer a form of therapy that allows busy minds to settle, anxiety to abate, and an overall positive demeanor to flourish in spite of the daunting, and oftentimes highly stressful, work environments the professionals that he teaches experience.

Guitar Lessons Provide Far-Reaching Benefits

In fact, Lenger’s approach has been so successful that fellow Amata member and clinical psychologist, Stacey Willard, is now referring her clients to Guitar Chicago as a way to manage their anxiety.

Music Therapy Brings Newfound Fulfillment for Busy Attorneys

For those that are less concerned about stress and more about ways to find enjoyable time for themselves and a creative outlet to devote to, lessons from Lenger are the perfect solution.

As partner at Kirkland and Ellis, LLP, Ralph Dado III, can attest to this very sentiment. During his sometimes 100-hour work weeks, he’s still able to find fulfillment in learning something new with guitar lessons at Guitar Chicago.

These lessons offer an enjoyable way for attorneys and professionals alike to focus their time and attention, even if just for an hour, in another area outside of their daily work environment. By doing so, it opens up new avenues of finding joy, fulfillment, and fun.

Don’t miss the featured article on James Lenger and Guitar Chicago by the Chicago Tribune.

If you’d like to experience the benefits of guitar or other related lessons, give James a call at 312.863.8588, or head to the Guitar Chicago website today!

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The Modern Law Firm: How Small Firms Compete Better Than Ever

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The Modern Law Firm: How Small Firms Compete Better Than Ever

From Kirsten Mayfield, Director of First Impressions for Amata Law Office Suites

Technology is the crux of our modern civilization, so it is not surprising that it has also become the crux of the modern law firm. The American Bar Association updated their rules to include reference to all ‘electronic communications’, and thirty-one states have adopted the duty of technology competence into their laws, with Illinois’ being effective as of January 1, 2016. Illinois is also transitioning to an E-filing system for their courts, though the launch date was pushed back to July at the beginning of the year.

For some this is a frightening change. Technology changes at a rapid pace, and if your schedule is already busy, the idea of having to keep up with the latest tech in order to both run your law practice and keep yourself safe from malpractice cases can be daunting.

But technology is the small law firm’s biggest champion and advocate.

Take Clio, for instance. Clio is a top-rated management software built to decrease the time spent on administrative tasks. Billing and documents are both managed in Clio, and the software integrates with Quickbooks and Outlook Calendar. It also allows an easy platform for timekeeping both in your office and on the go through their mobile app.

A huge firm may have systems in place which automate and manage these tasks efficiently, but a small law firm doesn’t unless they use software like Clio, and even a large one can benefit from the tool. Admin tasks do not get billed to a client, and they are time consuming, so the more help a firm gets, the more time they can spend on billing current clients and generating new ones.

Which brings us to a second mode of technology, your marketing. While generating new leads hasn’t changed in some key ways – having a referral network built up with other lawyers, for instance – mostly it is a completely different game than it was a year ago, much less ten. Plus the area is saturated in choices and upkeep. Where’s the upside to all these problems that technology is creating? Your audience.

You can outsource all your marketing, do it yourself, or pick a method in-between, but because of technological growth, your area of potential clientele extends as far as your license to practice. And we mean that quite literally. Our lawyers will be called from out of state and sometimes out of country, and these potential clients are turned down for the simple reason that no one in the firm is legally able to practice law in that area. This was not a common problem for two person law firms before the age of the internet.

The fact is, because of technology smaller firms now find themselves able to compete with large firms, and this is a major shift in the world of law. The choices may be overwhelming, but once you find the tech that works for you, you will find yourself able to spend more time practicing the law and less time as an accountant or marketer.

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Non-Disparagement Clauses and Their Restrictions in the Digital Age

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Non-Disparagement Clauses and Their Restrictions in the Digital Age

As the digital age continues to grow, more and more people are turning to places like Facebook and Yelp to gather information about a company. Using digital platforms allows them to read reviews as well as leave reviews of their own and determine whether or not to invest their time and money into a business. Given the rise in digital communication, attorneys are finding themselves confronted with an ever-increasing amount of claimed non-disparagement violations.

Enter The Non-Disparagement Clause

A non-disparagement clause is a legal representation of a private agreement that restricts free speech. Employers often implement a mutual non-disparagement clause that promises both parties, company and employee, agree to not disparage the other.

However, as with any provision, the non-disparagement clause can come with inferences, assumptions, and questions regarding what, exactly, constitutes disparagement.

What Constitutes Disparagement?

At its core, the term disparage means to belittle or reduce in rank or esteem.

Generally speaking, if a non-disparagement clause is included in an employment or severance agreement, courts view and enforce it as a matter of contract interpretation principles.

In regards to the courts in Illinois, they examine the contract to determine the intention of all parties at the time they entered into it. Once the court has determined the intention, they may rely on a dictionary to provide a definition of any undefined terms, giving them their intended meanings.

Challenges Non-Disparagement Clauses Face

Certain positions within a company offer higher risks of disparagement than others. Employees with access to confidential information within the company, separated employees, and those that have been terminated all pose a greater risk.

While a non-disparagement clause can lessen this risk, it isn’t without its challenges.

These contractual clauses restrict free speech, and with that can come legal attacks from governmental agencies charged with regulating the workforce.

For instance, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed lawsuits challenging certain non-disparagement provisions included in severance agreements that precluded employees, both former and current, from cooperating with them in their investigations into illegal discrimination.

Consumer Review Fairness Act Levels The Field

In 2016, Congress passed this act in order to void provisions in non-negotiable “Terms of Use” contracts that limit someone’s right to publish genuine, negative reviews online.

Even the United States Supreme Court became involved when they overturned a non-disparagement provision due to it being an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.

Overcome Restrictions On Free Speech & Protect Your Company

Restrictions of free speech caused by non-disparagement clauses are not being taken lightly.

In order to best protect your company as well as your legal clients, these contractual provisions should be drawn up in a way that only includes what is reasonably necessary.

Ensure the language used in the non-disparagement clause limits the restriction on free speech. You will also need to include a reasonable timeframe the provision holds rather than an unending, over-generalized contract.

To find out more about non-disparagement clauses in the digital age, download the original article found in the Newsletter of Illinois State Bar Association.

Article shared by: Law Office of Cathy Ann Pilkington

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Protect Your Law Firm from Scammers

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Protect Your Law Firm From Scammers

In the technological day and age we live in, it’s important for Chicago attorneys to understand that while they advise clients who have experienced fraud, their own Chicago law firm is equally at risk for being targeted by scammers.

New and often times highly-sophisticated scams are popping up every day, and as the scammers get smarter, so must we.

In order to help safeguard your law firm in Chicago, we’ve compiled a list of three refined scams that were specifically targeted toward attorneys and their practices and how to overcome these situations should your firm encounter them.

1. Online Traffic Monitoring

Just last year, Amata Law Office Suites sought to update and renew our logo through the Patent and Trademark office. During the process, we received invoices that appeared to be genuine from the Patent and Trademark office. These invoices even included the trademark we were renewing, putting the finishing touch on the initial appearance of legitimacy.

Had it not been for a series of checks and balances within our accounting department, Amata Law Office Suites would’ve lost over $5,000 to this scam.

How does a scam like this happen? Online traffic monitoring.

How can you prevent your Chicago law firm from falling prey?

Checks and balances

Maintain a dual check system to verify whether or not invoices have already been paid.

Read the fine print

The fine print on our fraudulent invoice noted that they were not affiliated with the publication of the official International Patent Application registration and was not a registration by a government entity.

Validate your invoice

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are ever unsure about the validity of an invoice, pick up the phone and call – not the number on the check, but rather the number located on the legitimate website.

2. Hacking Into Your Chicago Law Firm’s Computers

A British Columbia law firm recently lost six figures to a scammer, and their experience is a learning lesson for other attorneys. The law firm’s computers had been hacked, and when one of the attorneys went on vacation, the scammers took advantage of the open window.

The scammers sent an email from the vacationing attorney’s account requesting emergency funds be transferred to one of their client’s bank accounts. While the assistant tried to perform due diligence in calling the attorney, the hackers’ sophisticated means of fraud allowed them to block the assistant’s calls, and they then followed up with another email explaining that they couldn’t talk at the moment.

How can you protect your law firm in Chicago from a situation like this?

Put into place strict protocols

Protect yourself, your firm, and your staff by putting in place strict protocols that define when something like the scenario above should be allowed such as stating that it is only permissible with a phone call from the attorney.

Educate your staff

Ensure your entire Chicago law firm is up-to-date on the latest scams. While this can be difficult to keep up with, it’s important to regularly discuss things your firm can become a victim of.

Invest in computer security

As a Chicago attorney, you likely understand the vast importance of protecting your firm’s records. Follow this list of 5 things you can do to enhance the cyber security for your practice.

3. IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) Check Fraud

While check fraud isn’t a new concept, it’s still one that is vastly used today. Depending on your clientele, your law firm in Chicago has the potential to fall prey to check fraud in relation to your IOLTA account.

Typically, the scammers will regenerate fraudulent checks using the bank information, routing number, and account number from your legitimate check and cash them quickly to ensure your monthly accounting processes don’t detect the fraud before they’ve secured the funds.

How can Chicago lawyers circumvent IOLTA check fraud?

Talk to your bank

Many banks have secure checking programs that offer you the opportunity to upload copies of your written checks. The bank will then verify every presented check before disbursing funds to ensure your law firm’s financial security.

While scammers are becoming a regular part of everyday business dealings, it’s important that Chicago attorneys take preventative measures, both inside their practice and out, to avoid the financial heartaches that come with falling prey to attorney fraud.

Looking for a law office space that offers a great community of Chicago lawyers? See why attorneys in Chicago are choosing coworking spaces. Ready to make the switch? Contact Amata Law Office Suites today!

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How To Work When Your Firm’s Been Displaced

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How To Work When Your Firm’s Been Displaced

What happens when the unthinkable occurs and you find your law office space in Chicago has been displaced due to fire, flood, or other catastrophic event? This is a question no attorney wants to mull over as it can present a slew of potential headaches, financial pressures, and strains to consider that will affect your firm during the transition period. However, if you don’t have a contingency plan in place, you’re setting your firm up for a difficult and strenuous displacement.

When displacement occurs, the main focus should be on getting your firm back up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. The transition should be swift and smooth to provide both you and your clients a feeling of seamlessness while maintaining your firm’s integrity as well as your clients’ faith that the ball won’t be dropped on their cases just because you’ve experienced a situation out of your control.

In order to provide this security for your firm and clients, you should consider the following:

1. Rent Only the Space You Need – Conference Rooms

With your law offices in Chicago out of use, you’ll need a professional place to meet with your clients, conduct closings and depositions, etc. The last thing you want to do when dealing with displacement is allocate more funds than necessary for a temporary space. By utilizing a conference room rental, you can choose the size of space tailored to your firm’s needs and use it only when you need it. Make sure your conference room includes necessary items like a conference phone and high speed Internet.

  • Day Offices
    You should be able to focus on your cases in a space that offers the feel of a firm or schedule a day of meetings with clients where you can provide them with the sharp, professional aesthetic they’ve come to know and expect from you.
  • Large Conference Rooms
    It’s important to have a place to meet with your litigation teams that is large enough to hold everyone and is close to the courts so you gain time preparing witnesses during trials. Make sure your conference room is located conveniently to the courts in Chicago, and if not, close to transportation so you can quickly get to and from them.
  • Board Rooms
    When law offices in Chicago are displaced for any period of time, board room rental is an affordable solution for gatherings of large groups and provides an excellent opportunity for attorney networking during meetings and seminars.

2. Take Advantage of Attorney Networking Opportunities

Just because your law office space in Chicago has been displaced doesn’t mean you can’t find and enjoy perks in the meantime – perks like taking advantage of attorney networking where you can receive expert guidance and co-counsel opportunities as well as a vast referral network that you only get with a virtual or coworking space for attorneys. These all offer the ability for your firm to grow and prosper even in the event of a disaster.

  • Virtual and Coworking Space for Attorneys
    Virtual and coworking space for attorneys allows you to utilize a professional office space when you need it. Present the professional image of your firm when you want, and save financially by working from home during the other times. Just make sure wherever you choose to house your Chicago attorney office rental it has multiple locations to take advantage of. This will ensure you can conduct firm business when and where you need at a moment’s notice.
  • Surround Your Firm with Experts
    Attorney networking is critical to growing your firm – whether just starting out or having been in practice for a few decades. By choosing a location for your firm during displacement that offers a community of lawyers, you are essentially boosting the potential success of your firm in spite of the situation you’re currently facing with displacement.
  • Use Your Time for Billable Hours
    It’s enough to have to deal with finding a Chicago attorney office rental when your firm’s been displaced. Adding on the daily mundane tasks to that ever-growing pile of frustration is easily avoidable. Make sure the space your firm will temporarily be utilizing offers highly-trained, expert attorney staff on-hand that handle things like call answering, administrative tasks, and client intake. Get an even bigger bonus when you find a location that includes this service as a standard.

3. Private Chicago Attorney Office Rental

If your law office in Chicago is in need of a longer time table for space during displacement, you may want to consider renting a private office space. When considering a private office, you’ll want to ensure it offers the same attorney networking benefits as virtual and coworking space for attorneys as well as the following:

  • Individually Priced Offices
    The last thing you should waste money on is a private office space that is half the size but the same price as the larger, corner office down the hall. When seeking out a Chicago attorney office rental for private offices, make sure the pricing is individualized. That way, you a find what fits in your budget.
  • Saves on Extras
    Enjoying a community of lawyers that allows for attorney networking when your firm’s been displaced happens best when your Chicago law offices are in a space that shares common areas like cafes and lounges. Look for common areas that expand your space without expanding the price. It should always be included.
  • Chicago Law Office Aesthetic
    Even though your firm has been displaced, you and your clients shouldn’t have to feel the burden of change during the transition period. Choosing a Chicago attorney office rental space that holds the aesthetic that best represents your firm is key to ensuring a smooth shift from one space to the next and back again. Keeping with the look and feel of your current law offices in Chicago will also keep you working efficiently and more productively as you’ll feel at home.

Keeping all of these things in mind when looking for Chicago attorney office rental space will greatly ease the burden of displacement. It’s important for your firm to get back to focusing on billable hours and not dwell on the situation at hand.

If you’re looking for a Chicago attorney office rental that offers all of these things and more, look no further than Amata Law Office Suites. With multiple locations to choose from, all boasting different aesthetics from traditional to modern and everything in between, there’s something for everyone. Our locales are all convenient to Chicago courts and major transportation as well to save you time and money so you can focus on what really matters – getting back to business.

Tired of wasting time being an office manager instead of handling firm business? Give Amata a call today to find out the Amata difference!

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Marketing 101 for Attorneys

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It’s true. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you might miss it. The same is true for marketing. Staying up-to-date on emerging marketing strategies is a full-time job. If you’re an attorney looking to get your name out there, make connections, or generate more clients, check out our Marketing 101 tips.

Marketing Is a Must

It might go without saying but we think it bears repeating. Your product won’t sell itself, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Need some inspiration? Take a look at your competition. What are they doing? Don’t forget about your social media as well.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is one of the most cost effective and beneficial types of marketing available, With over 1.5 billion people on Facebook, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd, but it’s also 1.5 billion pairs of eyes that could be seeing you! Be smart about your social media strategy. Know your target audience and which social media channels work best for your content. Take a great photo of the cityscape outside your office? Post it on Instagram. Have a quick update about an upcoming company event? Compose a short tweet. Your message won’t fit in 140 characters? We recommend making the jump to email. Looking for more inspiration? Check out Forbes’ list of the top 10 benefits of using social media marketing.

Ditch Snail Mail for Email

There are a myriad of tools available for small firm owners to help get their name out. Utilizing an effective email marketing campaign will be far more beneficial than traditional snail mail. For example, email allows your potential clients to receive news from you wherever and whenever. Having an email subscription sign up option on your website’s homepage will help you stay top of mind long after visitors have clicked out of your homepage. Visit Hubspot’s blog for more advice on how to effectively use email marketing.

Ask for Help

Not everyone is a marketing guru, and that’s ok! Utilize your resources, like our blog, to help keep you informed on the latest trends. Still unsure? Network with marketing professionals for even more insider tips.

Build a Network

This isn’t always easy. We recommend a shared office space dedicated to attorneys, like Amata Law Offices. It’s easy to make connections with other industry professionals when working in a shared environment. Instead of isolation, you have a community of small-business owners and attorneys who all want the same thing as you, success.

If you’d like to tour our shared office space for attorneys, contact us today.

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