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Small Business Resilience Depends on Keeping a Focused Perspective

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Small businesses are resilient, and resilience is especially important in challenging times such as these. This type of strength and agility relies, in part, on good business instincts. But it also depends on a clear understanding of the measures that may impact results.

Know The Context

Small Business Resilience Depends on Keeping a Focused Perspective

It’s important to consider data in the context of what your business does and where it is located. For example, the unemployment rate for a business located in an area that is experiencing a lot of growth means something different from what it does for an area that is experiencing a reduction in its population. Places with growth will have more people spending more money on a variety of goods and services. Areas that are stagnant are likely losing businesses as people are spending less and less.

The same is true for other data. Supply chain disruptions will be harder to deal with for small businesses than they will be for large companies because bigger businesses have the resources to pay for faster deliveries. Some business and service providers can get a snapshot of what is happening by looking at information specific to their industries.

Keep in mind that statistics have a subtext that may not be easily apparent. For example, are multisite businesses reporting their data for each location, or is it all on an aggregate basis? Questions like these are why it is important to put this information into a context that is meaningful to your business.

One way to do this is to think about the information in the framework of a SWOT analysis — strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — for your service or industry. Then look at the analysis again through the filter of what is happening in your specific market. Doing so will allow you to have a clearer picture of your needs and where resources should be allocated.

Consider Inflation

Along with the other financial concerns that small businesses are facing, inflation has become a major factor. Predictions differ when it comes to how long the current inflationary cycle will last. Consequently, business owners need to assess how they will be affected by the higher cost of money in both the short term and the long run.

Taking these three steps can help:

  1. Budgeting: Cut costs — but in a thoughtful way. This should be your strategy when making any major purchases, from software to a new hire or anything in between. Understand what you really need as well as the costs of any bells and whistles. Maybe it is best to start with the basics now and then add on to your list of purchases as needed when your budget allows for it. For example, does it make more sense for your business to hire a freelancer who can maintain your company’s social media platforms, or is a full-time employee what you need instead? Writing out a job description and then comparing the costs of hiring each type of person should help you figure out the answer.
  2. Margins: Take a long, hard look at your margins. How much is every sale costing you? Is there a way to use new manufacturing methods or sales channels so that you can increase your margins?
  3. Financing: If you need help with financing, turn to government sources first. Low-cost funding may be available, for example, if your business is located in an economic development zone.

Putting the information that you gather into a meaningful context and following through on that consensus will help ensure that you are keeping a perspective that makes sense for your small business.

We’re here to help

At Amata, we value your work as much as you do. Discover how we can be a part of the future of your resilience.

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Private Law Practice: Why You Need A Private Place Of Work

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Practicing law is hard work.

Beyond knowing case law, legal eccentricities, and strategies to get the best possible outcomes for your clients, you must be able to get inside your opponent’s head to win a case.

Sometimes you just need a private space to do your work.

Co-working spaces are great when you need to bounce ideas off of someone.

But what about finding a private space when you need to work?

It’s Quiet

Sure, as a one-person firm, you love working from home to spend more time with family or you enjoy the bustling background noise of a coffeeshop where no one pays attention to you and earbuds let you tune everyone out.

But sometimes, you need to concentrate fully on a case without distractions, particularly if it’s a complicated case with many tough aspects and several moving parts.

Perhaps you just need to unplug. Having a private office can give you the peace and quiet you need.

Deadlines Approach

Maybe you overstretched your client load, some cases are dragging out longer than you expected, or you had to extend some motions so you could have more time.

Suddenly, you have three major deadlines coming up, and the judge in each case has said we can’t delay the pretrial conferences any longer.

You have to work frantically and can’t afford any distractions because you need to have everything ready for your deadlines, and each case is nuanced.

We hope this never happens to you. We hope you have many clients and are successful in their cases.

However, there will be times (not may be, will be) in your legal practice where it seems every case is coming due at once through no fault of your own.

Distractions cannot enter into your head as you need to concentrate on the matters at hand  because your clients depend on you (and their lives and livelihoods could be at stake).

You have an important job, and you love your job, but sometimes you need a break from everything in the outside world just to focus.

You Need a Private Space for Consultations & Conferences

Legal offices must maintain the privacy of their clients. It’s the law.

As such, a private space for consultations and conferences helps you fulfill your duty of attorney-client privilege while reassuring your clients that what they talk about will not be discussed outside of the walls of your office.

You’ll need a private space for initial intakes, talking to clients ahead of pretrial conferences and depositions, and a space for recording depositions ahead of a potential trial.

A private office also fosters respect and trust with your clients by leaving an impression that their time is valuable. You are completely focused on them, what matters to them, and how you will help them get past this legal matter.

You Have Complete Control Over a Private Office

Working in a shared space is nice in a pinch. You can sit in a coffee house with the internet to do research. A coworking space with other attorneys lets you bounce ideas off of fellow lawyers.

But a private office gives you complete control over the space.

No loud people talking one table over. No conversations on cellphones that you hear with other attorneys conversing with their clients. Not clanging coffee cups. No discussions about other cases that a trio of lawyers are having in the corner of your coworking space to distract you from your caseload.

You have the key to your private office. You can lock it behind you and not come out for three hours if you want.

It’s quiet, there is no food or loud people, and no other attorneys to talk shop with when you really need to focus on your own cases.

What If I Can’t Afford a Private Office as a Solo Practice?

Amata affords the ability for lawyers to have private office spaces for individuals and small firms, especially since office space in Greater Chicago is sparse and costs a small fortune.

You benefit not only from private spaces but also from Amata’s professional law support with virtual assistants to answer phones, mailboxes, billing software, catering for conferences, conference rooms, and web conference set-ups.

Our office space services can:

  • Find you a great downtown location in one of several buildings.
  • Provide a conference room for up to 18 people.
  • Handle web conferences and remote video calls.
  • Cater food and have coffee to impress large clients.
  • Offer coworking spaces with other attorneys.
  • And so much more!

Amata’s features in downtown Chicago are similar to those afforded to AM100 law firms.

Save time, money, and effort through Amata’s services so you can focus on winning cases and growing your firm.

With so many ways we can help you, Amata is the legal team you want on your side.

Contact us for more information about our private offices.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

Brand New Offices for Attorneys – 161 N Clark

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It’s hard enough to find good office space for lawyers in Chicago. Brand new office space with on-site paralegal and administrative services? Practically impossible. Unless you mean the latest floor that will open up at 161 N Clark. It’s an offer by Amata, and here’s what you need to know.

What Is Amata?

Amata is a co-working space that is designed and tailored specifically for attorneys and legal professionals. It’s a workspace where everything has been carefully curated and set up for the specific needs of the legal profession.

Which means all you need to bring with you when you work at Amata is your client files and your laptop. It’s the perfect, private downtown law office where it’s all done for you.

Perfectly Situated

161 N Clark - new floor

When they talk about real estate, they always say it’s all about “location, location, location.” That’s even more true when the real estate is going to be used for law offices. If you want to be seen as a top firm, have access to all the best cases and be taken seriously, you need to have your offices in the right part of town.

The new floor being opened up by Amata is located right across from The Daley Center and City Hall, and you don’t get more central than that. It’s right in the heart of the business district, a perfect location for your practice.

Stylishly Appointed

Let’s face it. Appearances matter. Your office, including the building, the décor and everything else tells your clients a lot about who you are, what you can do, and more importantly, what you can do for them.

Amata offices are always perfectly decorated. They’re understated, stylish, and designed to be modern and comfortable but also professional. In other words, they’re the perfect foil for your law firm’s brand.

Check out renderings for the new floor here.

On Site Services

One of the big differences Amata offers our clients is the option to make use of on-site paralegal and administrative services. You can take advantage of all the professional level help you need, when you need it, without having to hire full time staff of your own.

From answering the phone to helping with research, typing your briefs to welcoming visitors, it’s all done for you at Amata Law Office Suites. If you need to source an affordable and reliable court report or pick-up last-minute supplies on a Friday evening, the team at Amata has done it before and have the resources in place to take care of it.

Managed Buildings

If you’ve ever rented your own offices, there’s a good chance you’ve had to deal with cleaning, maintenance and repairs, maybe even some delayed and over-budget construction costs. There’s a lot that can go wrong in a building, and it eats up a lot of your time.

Amata offices come with all the maintenance, repairs and cleaning built in. You never have to worry about anything that doesn’t directly impact your clients. After all, if you wanted to be in property management, you wouldn’t have gone to law school!

Tech On Tap

Of course, Amata offices have the very best internet connectivity and all the technology you need to stay connected, including pre-established VLAN connections for your law firm to protect the privacy of your documents and communications. But there’s another level to the Amata legal office service.

Everyone who works from an Amata office also gets premium access to the Amata app, which allows you to call, text and email your clients without revealing your personal contact information. So, you can take your office in your pocket without risking your personal security and privacy.

Work From Home While Maintaining a Digital Office

We’ve all learned recently that many of the important functions of our businesses and jobs don’t actually require our physical presence. If you’re planning to keep your services hybrid, you can still use your Amata office space as a virtual office to receive your mail, answer and forward calls and more. It means you’re finally free to have the work life balance you’ve been struggling to find for years, while still offering your clients the service they expect.

Who Benefits Most from Amata Law Office Suites?

Amata Law Office Suites are the perfect solution for lawyers who practice on their own or have a small partnership or practice. They are perfect for law firms that need a satellite office or are expanding into a new market. They’re perfect for the virtual law firm or law firm where many of the attorneys have moved to a hybrid office model. They’re perfect for people who want to keep their overhead costs low, but still project a professional image.

Amata offices also have all the extra services you might need built in, so you don’t have to hire extra staff until you’re ready to.

Whether you’re just starting a law practice or winding down before you retire, this is the perfect solution for people who want the amenities without the responsibilities and high costs.

They’re also great for lawyers who want to expand their services into Chicago, but want to test the waters before they commit to a long-term lease.

So, whatever your situation is, if you’re looking for a clever workspace solution that is flexible and accessible, chances are you’ll find it on the new floor at Amata.

A Downtown Presence

Even if your law firm has a larger office space in another part of the city, there’s a good chance many of your clients work and do business downtown. Maintaining an office at Amata for those times when you need to meet a client and they don’t want to travel to your office is a great way to compromise. You don’t need to relocate, and they don’t have to come to you.

How Far Is the Project?

If you recognize the value of getting an office at the new floor that Amata is launching in 2022, you’re certainly not alone. There are hundreds of lawyers who are already using Amata offices to take their legal business to the next level. These offices are in demand, and they’re likely to be snapped up soon after they are released.

Currently, work is expected to be completed on the new floor of Amata offices at 161 N Clark in July of 2022, and applications will open closer to that time. If you’re interested in this innovative legal office option, you can sign up for early notifications now.

Getting early notifications about the new floor at Amata is easy. Simply sign up on the website or call the office to speak to someone for more information.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

How Flexible Attorney Offices Future-Proof Your Legal Practice

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In 2021 working from home has become the new normal. For some, this may still feel like a big transition, but it’s essential to stay up-to-date with changing expectations in the professional world. This goes for all business owners, and is especially true for law offices hoping to stay relevant in a competitive legal climate.

So how can you “future-proof” your legal practice? Think of “future-proofing” as anticipating trends and adapting your law practice to embrace the newest technology. With tech updates, flexible law offices, and cloud-based solutions, your legal practice will be ready to take-on the future.

 

What is a Flexible Law Office?

A flexible law office offers attorneys the opportunity to customize their schedule. This means that attorneys select their work hours and may conduct work from any location. Although a flexible office format might seem too unstructured at first, many attorneys are eager to work in an environment that values their personal preferences and offers an adaptable schedule.

According to an article in Reuters, “a recent survey from legal recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa found the vast majority of the incoming generation of lawyers prefer to work remotely at least some of the time.” Fostering an environment that values a healthy work / life balance and encourages flexibility is key to maintaining a thriving law practice.

 

What Tools Do You Need to Get Started?

While flexible law offices are the way of the future, it’s unrealistic to expect to transform your law practice overnight. Before you offer lawyers the flexible schedule they crave, you need to implement tools and resources to make the transition possible.

 

Update Your Video Conference Capabilities – Working remotely means relying on technology to get the job done. For lawyers working today, it’s essential to have video conferencing tools that are easy to use and provide reliable connectivity. Since client interviews and meetings need to be done remotely, it’s imperative that you use secure video conferencing platforms to keep meeting content confidential. An article in Bloomberg Law discusses the emergence of “telepresence rooms” to create a more authentic experience during video calls: “advanced audio-visual systems and large, mirror-like screens are used to make it appear that a client or colleague is in the same physical conference room, even if the person is at the other end of the globe.”

 

Use Cloud-Based Platforms

Since remote workers don’t have a centralized hub for information, Bloomberg Law asserts that “law firms are also shoring up their IT infrastructures now that a lawyer can’t simply count on their colleague down the hall to answer a question, or the filing cabinet with a particular document being nearby.”

In order to create accessible IT infrastructures, more law firms are embracing cloud-based document sharing tools. Cloud-based platforms allow documents to be securely uploaded, organized, and stored on an accessible online database. This way, lawyers have access to important files and information no matter where they are.

Flexible law firms are also implementing virtual mailbox services. Virtual mailbox services provide clients with instantaneous access to mail via a secure online platform. Mail is sent to a secure physical address and then promptly uploaded onto the database by a licensed handler. These services are an excellent option for law practices who don’t have a permanent location.

Cloud-based software also allows your legal team to optimize daily tasks. With easy-to-use communication platforms and simple scheduling and bookkeeping software, switching your systems to online services will save you time and money.

 

What are the Benefits of a Flexible Attorney Office?

Flexible attorney offices provide benefits for lawyers and clients alike.

Connect with a Wider Audience – Since lawyers who work in a flexible law office can conduct their work from anywhere, flexible law offices are able to serve a wider population and extend the reach of their business. This helps diversify caseloads, and increases client numbers.

Save Money – Attorneys who work in a flexible environment don’t need to be locked into a 12 months lease to practice the law. With money saved on rent, power, office supplies, and managerial staff, most law practices who switch to a remote model end up saving money in the long term.

Improve Retention – Remote work isn’t just a request anymore, it’s an expectation. Switching to a flexible schedule demonstrates your dedication to fostering a work environment that aligns with current demands.

 

Find Your Office Space at Amata Law Office Suites

Amata Law Office Suites provides lawyers and legal practitioners both in-person and virtual law office accommodations. With flexible pricing and unbeatable legal support services, Amata Law Office Suites has served the Chicago area by providing dedicated conference spaces, offices, and much more.

Now is the time to embrace the future of your legal practice. At Amata Law Office Suites, we’re here to help. 

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

McKenna Prohov: Encouraging Clients to Think With a Legal Mindset | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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McKenna is the founder of Law x Design, a legal practice that focuses on entrepreneurs, artists and start-ups. In this episode, she talks about encouraging clients to think with a legal mindset to protect themselves from liability. She also talks about how people are all unique, and the best way to keep clients is to acknowledge that they’re all individuals and to dedicate a lot of time on networking. The mental health state of younger lawyers were also discussed and what we can do to improve it. They also talked about the current experience of women in law and what changes McKenna wants to see in the future of the business of law.

Key moments:

  • Getting clients into a legal state of mind and the “algorithm” of people – how to maintain your client-base (0:50)
  • State of the mental health of younger lawyers (11:53)
  • The current experience of women in law (17:53)
  • Lawyers as trusted business advisors (26:31)

Follow “The 1958 Lawyer” on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Sticher

MEMORABLE QUOTES

McKenna Prohov

“Getting out and making connections… you can’t put an algorithm on when you’re talking to another person so basically ‘networking, networking, networking’ is the answer and you can’t do it within the four walls of your home… reaching people is about gathering”

ABOUT MCKENNA PROHOV

McKenna is the Founder of Law by Design (Law X Design), a Chicago based legal practice that focuses on entrepreneurs, artists, and startups. She has cross-functional experience working on a variety of business initiatives primarily related to joint-venture business expansion opportunities, tech licensing and e-commerce issues. Over 2 years experience handling contract process for company’s business operations, including reviewing and drafting terms that facilitate consensus and comply with applicable regulatory frameworks. Work across departments to identify risks in contracts, data services, and consumer protection. Contracts and compliance experience handling legal and business matters in business-solutions oriented environment. Collaborative and self-directed team member in driving process for structuring, drafting, and reviewing licensing, technology, intellectual property, and non-disclosure agreements, as well as pre-litigation documents.

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenna-prohov-05452050/

Website: https://www.lawxdesign.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenna-prohov-05452050/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawxdesign_/?hl=en]

Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at [email protected]

“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.

If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.

This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your host Ron Bockstahler runs Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week he’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. He’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.

Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

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Clinton Ind: Finding Your Niche in the Business of Law | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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Clinton Ind chose a vastly different route in practicing law compared to his wife: he is a solo attorney turned in-house counsel, while she has worked at a large, international firm. However, how they found their paths, he explains, is the same: self-awareness and asking yourself ‘what’s your greatest attribute as a lawyer.’

Key moments:

  • Large vs. mid vs. solo – finding your niche and support network (3:25)
  • Moving from solo to in-house counsel (11:42)
  • Fair billing; it’s not about billable hour versus fixed fee (17:57)
  • What Clinton Ind wants to see changed in law (32:53)

Follow “The 1958 Lawyer” on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Sticher

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“It’s interesting because the law is the same. The scale is obviously different, but the law is always the same…. [My wife and I] are self-aware enough to know our personalities; her personality works for a firm like that, [a large firm], and mine never did.”

“You’re always learning something new [while practicing law], and that can be intimidating…You can overcome the intimidation of trying new things by creating a network of attorneys that you can speak with and associate with.”

“I’ve taken issue with opposing counsel who probably do things that don’t necessarily need to be done…. One of my biggest pitches to prospective clients was always ‘I’m going to keep your business objectives in mind,’ and we don’t necessarily need to write this 30-page brief to get the point across.”

ABOUT CLINTON IND

Clinton recently has recently transitioned his practice from a commercial litigator with his own law firm, to in-house counsel with a growing distribution business at Quantum Polymers.  His new role is oriented around managing risk as the company expands while assisting with the business strategy and growth.

Quantum Polymers: www.quantumpolymers.com

FURTHER READING

Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at [email protected]

“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.

If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.

This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week they’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. They’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.

Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

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Managing Staff as a Solo Attorney

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At some point, small and solo law firms will have to deal with hiring or managing a team outside of themselves. While managing staff as a solo attorney presents a unique set of challenges, it is ultimately a sign of success: your business has grown and is thriving. However, time is of the essence: it takes work to build out your team, and you may be banking on time you can’t afford to spend on recruitment, training, and management.

In this blog, we highlight strategies solo attorneys can leverage to ensure that they are able to build out their operations without compromising their efficacy in day-to-day activities. Hiring staff doesn’t have to equate to a temporary reduction in billable hours.

3 Tips for Managing Staff as a Solo Attorney

Hiring In-House vs. Leveraging ALSPs

Before making the decision to hire your team, weigh your options. Does the role you’re hiring for require full-time support? While it may seem best to hire for the positions that you’re looking to manage, utilizing alternative legal services providers may be more effective in terms of cost and time management.

Hiring a full-time employee can be a huge time sink. The recruitment process is broken down into fielding job applications, reading over those applications, and the interview process. This time-intensive process can distract you from your billable work, and doesn’t guarantee immediate results.

Recruiting an employee is only the beginning – once hired, they will need to be trained in on your existing methodologies and systems. Depending on the role that you’re recruiting for, this can range from a matter of hours to ongoing training lasting weeks.

Hiring employees is expensive and challenging – ALSPs offer a range of services that can be deployed as-needed. Recruiting and training comes pre-packaged with alternative legal services, allowing you to leverage them as a plug-and-play solution to staffing needs.

Alternative legal services, such as contract paralegals and virtual receptionists, offer a scalable, simple solution to your issues. They should be considered if:

  • Your workload fluctuates enough not to necessitate a permanent hire
  • You need to scale your operations quickly
  • You do not have the time or resources to hire staff yourself

Setting Expectations and Keeping Accountability

Exiting the pandemic work environment, the American workplace has changed for virtually all professions, lawyers included. As more employees return to the office, it is critical not only to set expectations for behavior for new hires, but existing team members as well.

Are you managing a hybrid legal team? If so, you’ll need to carefully delineate communication requirements, as well as best practices for issues like internet outages and time spent during the work day. These expectations should cover not only time during work hours, but time outside of work. The home office is convenient, but has also pressured workers to operate well outside of their normal business hours.

Setting expectations from day one can significantly mitigate risk and improve performance when managing staff as a solo attorney. On one hand, you’re ensuring that their working hours are spent productively. On the other, clear work boundaries ensure that employees don’t feel overworked, a culprit in high turnover.

With more employees working remotely, it is more important than ever that you have implemented systems to track and monitor their performance, as well as respecting their time outside of the workplace.

Open Communication

When hiring new employees or leveraging ALSPs, keeping open communication channels is essential for aligning goals and ensuring needs on both sides are met. With virtual or remote workers, this issue is even more essential.

Establish systems or routine meetings to communicate needs throughout the week. Whether this is as simple as a daily checkup, or more standardized meetings periodically set throughout a month, checking up on workflow keeps companies aligned. It also ensures that your employees’ needs are being met. Ensure each meeting has an agenda set beforehand, and don’t schedule meetings to be longer than absolutely necessary.

Amata Law Office Suites Makes Managing Staff as a Solo Attorney Easy

Managing staff as a solo attorney can be a tricky business, and often isn’t something taught in law school. Private practices often require the assistance of other team members to manage their daily workload, and without the right systems in place, these tasks can become complicated.

At Amata Law Office Suites, we offer a range of services catered directly to solo and private legal practices. For those looking to build out their team, we offer alternative legal services such as virtual receptionists and contract paralegals that can be deployed and scaled as-needed.

As pandemic restrictions end, it is more important than ever to find systems that work with your legal practice. Contact us today to learn more about how Amata helps support Chicago lawyers with a full range of services.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Struggling to Start Your Own Law Firm? These Attorneys Share How an Important Legal Program Changed Their Careers

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Start your own lawfirm

When Chicago attorney Kendra Spearman started law school at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law, she was passionate about civil rights and knew she wanted to be a solo practitioner one day. 

But upon graduation in 2016, she realized that she didn’t have the necessary resources to get her practice off the ground.

“I was lacking pretty much everything,” Spearman said, from marketing strategies to tips on client management and pricing services. “We don’t learn that part in law school.”

She heard about Chicago-Kent’s Solo & Small Practice Incubator, a program that offers mentorship and resources for recent graduates looking to build their solo or small partner firms. She applied and was accepted into the 2016-17 cohort.

Can Incubators Help Lawyers Start Their Own Law Firm?

According to the American Bar Association, more than 60 existing or planned legal incubators can be found in 33 states and four countries. These programs typically offer training in business basics, such as bookkeeping and marketing; mentoring from experienced attorneys; and free or discounted office space. The Chicago-Kent incubator is just one of two legal incubators in Illinois.

Through a collaboration, Spearman was offered a year of complementary office space with Chicago-Kent’s partner, Amata Law Office Suites — Chicago’s first legal community of more than 700 attorneys and Class-A downtown offices — and its premier legal support services. During that time, she made meaningful connections, including experts, who created her business cards and built her website free-of-charge.

“It’s been a tremendous experience and the highlight of my practice,” she said, adding how Amata’s legal support services allow her to be selective with cases. “I really don’t know where I would be without Amata and its partnership with Chicago-Kent.”

Once the yearlong incubator ended, Spearman permanently housed her firm, Spearman Law, LLC, at Amata. She also went on to establish the Justice Renewal Initiative, a program geared toward helping young men and women transition out of the criminal justice system. Amata CEO Ron Bockstahler now sits on the Board of Directors.

“I grew tired of watching young attorneys fail,” Bockstahler said of his decision to collaborate with the Chicago-Kent incubator. “Many new attorneys leave school with tons of student loan debt and have to compete with thousands of other graduates for jobs. I wanted to give them a leg up as well as an opportunity to gain experience and build a practice while avoiding many of the traditional pitfalls and stresses of the legal industry.”

Finding Help, Finding a Home

Like Spearman, business law attorney Jawad Fitter participated in the incubator last year and now operates his firm, Fitter Law, LLC, out of Amata. He took advantage of various opportunities through the incubator, such as Amata’s live receptionists and networking with fellow attorneys, and implemented a new approach to practicing law.

“It was a huge benefit to work with Amata while I was working on building my law firm and building my client base,” Fitter said.

The program also advised him on pricing structures for his firm’s services. Rather than charging prospective clients for each meeting, he instead offers a monthly billing structure and unlimited business consultations. He looks forward to watching Amata’s collaboration with the Chicago-Kent incubator grow in the coming years. He has even discussed mentoring others in the program.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “The program really helped me focus and figure out what’s important for my firm.”

Struggling to get your solo or small partner practice off the ground? Call us or visit our website and take an online or in-person tour of one of our Class-A law firm office spaces. Join the Amata community and find out how we can help you launch your practice.

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When to Hire Law Firm Staff

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portrait of focused group of lawyers working in office

Solo and private legal practices often find themselves asking the perennial question of when to hire law firm staff.

You landed that case, the one with the prestigious client who could bring the firm a good deal of future work. Your firm’s attorneys are ready but this engagement will require hours of researching memoranda and creating reports and the client doesn’t want to pay the hourly rate of a lawyer for these kinds of activities. Realistically, you only have time to directly address the issues that need your expertise anyway.

A paralegal is key to your success. Hiring full-time staff would solve the problem, but do you have the time to find the right people? And can you justify the cost?

Contracting paralegal and legal admin services from an alternative legal services provider (ALSP) like Amata Law Office Suites could save you time and allow you to present impressive costs for high-quality work, ensuring this client continues working with your firm. And potentially getting you some referrals for work well done.

When to Hire Law Firm Staff, and When to Outsource From an ALSP

Time Management

Hiring the right paralegal for the project involves vetting the candidate’s expertise in the area of need. Are you confident you can find the right person for the job? Time is money; every hour you spend recruiting a capable paralegal is a billable hour lost. Once you make the right hire, onboarding that person also takes time. A full-time individual needs to become acquainted with everyone in your practice, your current clients as well as other support staff.

By contracting with an ALSP like Amata Law Office Suites, you’ll find professional, previously vetted, support staff (secretarial and paralegal services) ready to partner with you on an as-needed, pay-as-you-go basis. Developing relationships with Amata’s professional paralegals ensures you have the best person available for the client’s needs when that client returns with another project.

Monetary Considerations

Cost of Experience

Employing full-time certified paralegals and/or legal admin staff increases both your direct and indirect costs.

Direct expenses like…

  • salary
  • payroll taxes
  • employee benefits (such as insurance)

And indirect costs that increase as staff increases such as…

  • office space
  • equipment
  • software licenses

If you want a solid member to join your team, it’s going to mean much higher salaries as well. The Amata paralegal team, for instance boasts an average of 27 years of experience (as of 2020) and they specialize in certain areas of law. Expertise means they can excute items quickly and accurately for your clientelle, but that costs more money than an entry level paralegal. For solo and private practice firms, taking on the salaries that accompany this level of support and experience is not an option.

Since ALSPs charge for work done, however, you can receive this experience at a cost that is affordable. Plus, an experienced team can execute documents quickly. It may only take a staff member fifteen minutes to complete the work you need, which means you’re only billed for those fiftenn minutes. And you can bill your clients back for the work.

Cost of a Bad Hire

But the after-hire expenses represent only part of the cost. The U.C. Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor and Employment estimates recruiting costs for a new employee can range from $2,000 to $7,000. Ongoing expenses include the employer’s portion of FICA, 7.65% of the employee’s annual salary, healthcare coverage, unemployment insurance, and retirement benefits.

And what is the cost of a bad hire? The U. S. Department of Labor recently listed the average cost of a bad hiring decision at a minimum of 30% of the individual’s first year salary. In legal work, your service is your brand; a bad hire can turn away clients and leave you repairing a damaged reputation. It can also bring more of a headach to you as you try to manage inexperienced staff, versus having an experienced staff member who is only an asset.

Hiring Takes Work!

Unless you practice employment law (and are already well versed), you, as an employer of full-time staff, must now also stay current on HR policies. The legal requirements change from time to time; medical benefits need explanation and annual review, sexual harassment training is required by certain states. Plus, personnel problems can arise. Managing a larger staff adds complexity. You can avoid this work by contracting an ALSP like Amata Legal Office Suites to handle work instead of hiring yourself.

Before you decide to hire a full-time paralegal, legal admin, and/or receptionist, consider how your firm can benefit from contracting with an ALSP.  Gain the trust of that important client while saving time, money, and work by contracting with Amata Legal Office Suites. We provide impressive office spaces, and well-vetted paralegal and legal admin services. Contact us today for more information about our services.

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Amy Gardner: Law Firm Partner Turned Law Practice Development Expert | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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The secret to law practice development? Successful attorneys are using coaches; experts like Amy who know the legal industry inside and out. From law practice partner, to legal educator, to Apochromatik, over a cup of coffee Amy can offer her fellow attorneys expertise it’d take decades for them to learn from books. Which is why her lawyer clients call her their ‘secret weapon.’

Developing Your Law Practice with Actionable Goals:

  • Driving employee engagement without a traditional office setup (5:44)
  • Goals you can measure and where attorneys trip up (14:34)
  • Where do you want to end up? (21:24)
  • What Amy Gardner wants to see changed in the business of law (35:23)

Follow “The 1958 Lawyer” on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

For a long-term career, take control with purpose and develop a law practice you love.

“One law firm partner told us not too long ago, ‘My team needs more than just another happy hour.’ And so it really is about making sure that teams have the time to spend together. And that [this time is spent] building relationships, rather than just getting things done.”

“I see lawyers all the time will say things like I want to bring in more business. Well, that’s a great aspiration. But that’s not really a goal, right? You got to have measurements so that you know whether or not you’ve achieved your goal.”

“The people who work for [a law firm] really want feedback, and they want mentoring….They feel like the maybe the firm will teach them how to write a brief. But that doesn’t mean that they feel like they’re always getting as much guidance as they want in terms of how to present arguments and things like that.”

CONNECT WITH AMY GARDNER, Law Practice Development Coach

Amy Gardner

Amy M. Gardner is a certified Career and Career Transitions Coach and Team Development and Leadership Consultant with Apochromatik. She coaches attorneys and other professionals one-on-one, in small group “Future in Focus” attorney masterminds, and delivers workshops for law firms and other employers.

Her work draws on her unique experience as dean of students at the University of Chicago Law School and a successful career practicing law, first as a Skadden litigation associate and later as an associate and then partner at a mid-size Chicago firm. Her career and goal achievement advice has been featured in media including ABA publications, Bustle, Corporette, Glassdoor, Health, Monster, NBC, and Women’s Running magazine.

Amy’s LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amygardner

Apochromatik: www.apochromatik.com
Blog: https://www.apochromatik.com/blog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apochromatik
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apochromatik
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_apochromatik/

More Law Practice Development Blogs

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“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.

If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.

This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week they’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. They’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.

Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

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