Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice

Essential guidance on developing a successful law practice

Product Number: 2180272EBK
Publication Date: 10/26/2020
Edition: 2nd Edition 2020
Copyright: © 2020 MCLE, Inc.
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Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice

Essential guidance on developing a successful law practice

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Pricing: $145.00; Members: $130.50; New Lawyers: $72.50

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Product Description
Product Description

Expertise in one's area of practice is only one aspect of success as a solo or small firm lawyer. The second component is the day-to-day operations of a practice, the handling of data and finances, cultivation of clients, management of staff, and the marketing of professional services through various channels. The third essential requirement is to stay current on the law and dealing with the inevitable stress that comes with performing a professional high-wire act. Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice is a comprehensive, engaging, and practical guide to the many challenges of law practice management. With concrete examples, perspectives from experienced solo and small firm practitioners, and expert ethics commentary, this publication is an indispensable resource for any lawyer contemplating, starting, or seeking to improve a solo or small firm practice.

Recent updates:
- Update: October 2020
  Dear Subscriber:
  
  Thank you for updating your reference library with the 2020 edition of Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice. This updated product brings the latest in practice development within your immediate reachâ€”for fast answers to the questions that arise most frequently in your practice.
  
  Highlights from this year's edition include
  - a new discussion of defining the target market for a law practice, including guidance on how to identify the ideal client and how to conduct effective market research;
  - a new checklist illustrating the use of SWOT analysis (assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to evaluate the market position of a law firm;
  - a new section on developing subject matter competency, including ethical requirements and the use of resources such as mentors, listservs, and continuing legal education;
  - approaches for dealing with the increased use of Zoom communications and electronic signatures;
  - updated guidance on financial management and risk analysis for legal practices, with a particular focus on managerial accounting, fraud control measures, and cyberliability;
  - a new discussion of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates for law firm websites and guidance on integrating online payment options into law firm websites;
  - tips on hiring and supervising law firm employees in remote working environments;
  - an update on the increasing prevalence of wire transfer fraud;
  - amendments to Chapter 93H regarding protection of personal information, including provisions on reporting and credit monitoring as well as information required for consumer notices; and
  - the adoption of Rule 1.15A of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct, which sets forth requirements for handling client files.
  Thank you for your ongoing support of this product, as we at MCLE continue our efforts to bring you the latest solutions to the issues you face in your practice.
  
  Cordially,
  
  John M. Lawlor, Esq., MCLE Publications Attorney
Table of Contents

Table of Contents
expand all

Chapter 1 expand

Keys to Developing a Practice: Tips from the Field
Buy Chapter
Rodney S. Dowell, Esq., Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers

Checklist 1.1
- Best and Worst Advice Received by Surveyed Sole Practitioners Buy Form

Chapter 2 expand

Initial Steps
Buy Chapter
Sofia S. Lingos, Esq., Trident Legal LLC

Checklist 2.1
- Questions to Ask When Performing Market Research Buy Form

Checklist 2.2
- Sample SWOT Analysis Buy Form

Checklist 2.3
- Information to Obtain About Law Practice Competitors Buy Form

Checklist 2.4
- Considerations in Selecting a Law Practice Office Location Buy Form

Checklist 2.5
- Tips on Lawyers’ Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance Buy Form

Exhibit 2A
- Sample Business Plan Buy Form

Exhibit 2B
- Choice of Entity Spreadsheet Buy Form

Exhibit 2C
- Budgeting Spreadsheet Buy Form

Chapter 3 expand

Fees and Billing
Buy Chapter
Melissa A. Levine-Piro, Esq., Hera Law Group

Exhibit 3A
- Sample Consultation Agreement Buy Form

Exhibit 3B
- Sample Flat-Fee Agreement Buy Form

Exhibit 3C
- Sample Recovery Breakdown Letter Buy Form

Exhibit 3D
- Sample Contingency Fee Agreement Buy Form

Exhibit 3E
- Sample Clause on Use of Internet Cloud Storage Devices Buy Form

Exhibit 3F
- Sample Destruction of Documents Clause Buy Form

Exhibit 3G
- Sample Nonengagement Letter Buy Form

Exhibit 3H
- Sample Disengagement Letter Buy Form

Exhibit 3I
- Simple Client Ledger for Tracking Individual Client Funds Buy Form

Exhibit 3J
- Sample Ledger Buy Form

Exhibit 3K
- Sample Check Register Buy Form

Chapter 4 expand

Bookkeeping and Accounting
Buy Chapter
Stephanie A. Hood,

Checklist 4.1
- Procedures for Maintaining Accounting and Cash Controls Buy Form

Exhibit 4A
- Client Funds Manual 2018 Buy Form

Exhibit 4B
- Income Statement Buy Form

Exhibit 4C
- Balance Sheet Buy Form

Exhibit 4D
- Cash Flow Buy Form

Exhibit 4E
- Aged Accounts Receivable Report Buy Form

Exhibit 4F
- Billable Hours Report Buy Form

Chapter 5 expand

Developing Your Brand for Integrated Marketing
Buy Chapter
Julie M. Tolek, Esq., Dilworth IP

Chapter 6 expand

Client Development and Networking
Buy Chapter
Susan Letterman White, JD, MS, Letterman White Consulting

Checklist 6.1
- Questions to Be Asked When Disengaging from a Representation Buy Form

Checklist 6.2
- Tips for Attending a Networking Event Buy Form

Checklist 6.3
- Ten Tips for Success at Networking Events Buy Form

Exhibit 6A
- Sample Marketing Research Plan Template Buy Form

Exhibit 6B
- Sample Business Plan Template Buy Form

Exhibit 6C
- Trends Exercise Buy Form

Exhibit 6D
- Age of the Customer Buy Form

Exhibit 6E
- Content Creation Exercise Buy Form

Exhibit 6F
- EQ Self-Assessment Buy Form

Exhibit 6G
- Alignment of Brand Assets with Projected Image Buy Form

Exhibit 6H
- Author’s Network Map Buy Form

Exhibit 6I
- Summary of Relationships Buy Form

Exhibit 6J
- Assessment of Relationships Buy Form

Exhibit 6K
- Self-Evaluation Quiz Buy Form

Chapter 7 expand

Online Directories and Reviews
Buy Chapter
Gyi Tsakalakis, Esq., AttorneySync

Chapter 8 expand

Website Design and Development
Buy Chapter
Stephanie A. Bahl, Webmaster, Social Law Library

Checklist 8.1
- Key Steps to Take in Setting Up a Website Buy Form

Chapter 9 expand

Social Media
Buy Chapter
David C. Harlow, Esq., Harlow Group LLC

Exhibit 9A
- Length of Post Buy Form

Exhibit 9B
- Control Over Content Buy Form

Exhibit 9C
- Promoting Conversation Buy Form

Exhibit 9D
- Sample Hootsuite Page Buy Form

Exhibit 9E
- Planning for the Use of Social Media Buy Form

Chapter 10 expand

Managing Client Relationships
Buy Chapter
Joseph S. Berman, Esq.,

Checklist 10.1
- Red Flags in Evaluating Potential Clients Buy Form

Exhibit 10A
- Sample Conflicts Check Form Buy Form

Chapter 11 expand

Ongoing Operations
Buy Chapter
Cristina Gutierrez Shinnick,

Checklist 11.1
- Steps to Follow When Giving Feedback to Law Firm Employees Buy Form

Chapter 12 expand

Research and Training
Buy Chapter
Brian J. Harkins, Esq., Social Law Library
John M. Lawlor, Esq., Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Chapter 13 expand

Data Security
Buy Chapter
Robert J. Munnelly, Jr., Esq., Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, PC

Exhibit 13A
- Sample Language for Consent to Use Cloud Computing Buy Form

Chapter 14 expand

Personal Challenges and Resources
Buy Chapter
Andrew D. Kang, JD, LICSW, Boston Professionals Counseling LLC
Dasha Tcherniakovskaia, Esq.,

Checklist 14.1
- Resources for Close Support, Business, and Personal Support Networks Buy Form

Chapter 15 expand

Exit Planning
Buy Chapter
Benjamin Shwartz, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP

Exhibit 15A
- Informed Consent to Disclosure of Client Information to Prospective Successor Counsel Buy Form
Editors & Authors

Editor(s)

Rodney S. Dowell, Esq., Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston

Ethical Commentator(s)

Charles A. Bookman, Esq., Bookman & Al-Marayati, Malden

Susan E. Cohen, Esq., Peabody & Arnold LLP, Boston

Paul M. Glickman, Esq., Glickman, LLC, Boston

Author(s)

Stephanie A. Bahl, Webmaster, Social Law Library, Boston

Joseph S. Berman, Esq., Boston

Rodney S. Dowell, Esq., Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Boston

Cristina Gutierrez Shinnick,

Brian J. Harkins, Esq., Social Law Library, Boston

David C. Harlow, Esq., Harlow Group LLC, Newton

Stephanie A. Hood,

John M. Lawlor, Esq., Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., Boston

Susan Letterman White, JD, MS, Letterman White Consulting, Quincy

Melissa A. Levine-Piro, Esq., Hera Law Group, Maynard

Sofia S. Lingos, Esq., Trident Legal LLC, Boston

Robert J. Munnelly, Jr., Esq., Davis, Malm & D'Agostine, PC, Boston

Benjamin Shwartz, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP, Boston

Julie M. Tolek, Esq., Dilworth IP, New Haven

Gyi Tsakalakis, Esq., AttorneySync, Chicago

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Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice

Essential guidance on developing a successful law practice

Hanging Your Shingle: Starting and Operating a Solo or Small Firm Practice

Essential guidance on developing a successful law practice

Choose Format:

Product Description

Recent updates:

Table of Contents

Keys to Developing a Practice: Tips from the Field

Checklist 1.1

Initial Steps

Checklist 2.1

Checklist 2.2

Checklist 2.3

Checklist 2.4

Checklist 2.5

Exhibit 2A

Exhibit 2B

Exhibit 2C

Fees and Billing

Exhibit 3A

Exhibit 3B

Exhibit 3C

Exhibit 3D

Exhibit 3E

Exhibit 3F

Exhibit 3G

Exhibit 3H

Exhibit 3I

Exhibit 3J

Exhibit 3K

Bookkeeping and Accounting

Checklist 4.1

Exhibit 4A

Exhibit 4B

Exhibit 4C

Exhibit 4D

Exhibit 4E

Exhibit 4F

Developing Your Brand for Integrated Marketing

Client Development and Networking

Checklist 6.1

Checklist 6.2

Checklist 6.3

Exhibit 6A

Exhibit 6B

Exhibit 6C

Exhibit 6D

Exhibit 6E

Exhibit 6F

Exhibit 6G

Exhibit 6H

Exhibit 6I

Exhibit 6J

Exhibit 6K

Online Directories and Reviews

Website Design and Development

Checklist 8.1

Social Media

Exhibit 9A

Exhibit 9B

Exhibit 9C

Exhibit 9D

Exhibit 9E

Managing Client Relationships

Checklist 10.1

Exhibit 10A

Ongoing Operations

Checklist 11.1

Research and Training

Data Security

Exhibit 13A

Personal Challenges and Resources

Checklist 14.1

Exit Planning

Exhibit 15A

Editor(s)

Ethical Commentator(s)

Author(s)