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How to Start and Build a Law Practice
(Fifth Edition)
by Jay G. Foonberg
Lending Library number: 26
 

If you have a question about starting and growing your own law practice, or improving your existing solo or small firm practice, Jay Foonberg has the answers in this power-packed, updated, and expanded new edition. Learn it all from a practicing lawyer who provides you with real answers, for real practices, gained from real experiences.

This classic ABA bestseller has been used by tens of thousands of lawyers as the comprehensive guide to planning, launching, and growing a successful practice. It's packed with over 600 pages of guidance on identifying the right location, finding clients, setting fees, managing your office, maintaining an ethical and responsible practice, maximizing available resources, upholding your standards, and much more. If you're committed to starting your own practice, this book will give you the expert advice you need to make it succeed.

The book is organized into short, easy-to-read chapters that deal with all the specific challenges you undoubtedly will encounter when you open your office. And the answers you'll get are realistic, practical, and based on real-life experience. Even if you already have an established practice, you are sure to find information that will help you compete and succeed.

You'll find a wealth of tips that can improve your practice once it is up and running, as well as dozens of timesaving templates and checklists. In addition, there is all-new material for this edition, covering areas including:

  • e-Mail and the Internet
  • Law firm mergers and dissolutions
  • Student loans
  • Opportunities created by an aging population
  • Non-lawyer consultants
  • The globalization of legal practice
  • And much more!

This book is guaranteed to help you successfully launch your practice, run it at maximum efficiency, and avoid potential pitfalls along the way. You'll get basic, practical advice given in Foonberg's inimitable down-to-earth style, and answers to down-to-earth questions including:

  • Where is the ideal place to open my office?
  • How much cash do I need to start?
  • How can I get cash up front to reduce bad debts?
  • Should I charge for the first consultation?
  • How do I spot the client who won't pay?
  • What kinds of equipment will I need, at a minimum, to start out?
  • What are the most effective ways of getting clients?

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Disclaimer: The State Bar of Michigan Practice Management Resource Center provides the information on this website as a service to its members. The suggestions, opinions, and products presented are not intended as, and do not constitute, legal advice. Due to the rapidly changing nature of technology and the legal profession, and our reliance on information provided by outside sources, the State Bar of Michigan does not warranty or guaranty the accuracy or availability of the content on this site or on other sites to which we link. The State Bar of Michigan will not be liable to any party for damages arising in any way out of the availability, use, reliance on or inability to use the State Bar of Michigan website, or any information provided by or through the State Bar of Michigan website, or for any claim attributable to errors, omissions or other inaccuracies in any information provided by or through the State Bar of Michigan website.