This week’s episode revolves around the need for expanding your network in order to get more referrals and a steadier stream of business. The hosts discuss how it may not be clear for some time that your networking events are paying off. Don’t expect that the first meeting you attend will produce results or that even every attempt you make at meeting new people will generate income. It takes time to develop trust and to have the people you meet think of you when an opportunity arises. That requi...
Jun 27, 2017•22 min
While Oscar is enjoying a well deserved vacation with his wife, Scott goes solo hitting on a number of topics. We first discuss the outreach for “Master Your Law Practice” the networking group we are starting on June 29th. We then discuss how important it is to understand the needs of your clients and how your attitudes affect their decision to hire you. We finish up with a discussion about URL’s
Jun 20, 2017•21 min
Oscar and Scott discuss the networking group they are launching for Long Island attorneys. The 1st meeting of “Master Your Law Practice” will take place on June 29th at Seasons 52 in Garden City. Oscar and Scott discuss the beginnings of this idea and how it has grown into a different kind of legal networking group. They both are looking forward to sharing their experiences with other attorneys.
Jun 13, 2017•25 min
We have all gotten used to relying on our favorite tech aides – apps, calendaring programs, phone systems, etc. But what happens to our practices when they fail? In this episode Scott and Oscar talk about recent tech issues they have faced and how they addressed. They offer some insight and solutions to make sure that when a snafu happens your practice can rebound quickly. Two key points: (a) Find a good IT consultant that is available to help guide you when this happens and protect you from reo...
Jun 06, 2017•28 min
This week Scott and Oscar discuss how the same issues that cause Solo and Small Practices to fail are the same issues that affect Big Law. The top three things affecting Big Law being, below average performance, internal dynamics (no leadership, incompatible goals and lack of planning) and external dynamics (competitive pressure related to firms client base, not having access to new clients. The same issues that are of tantamount importance to solo and small firms
May 30, 2017•26 min
Oscar was invited to Otisville Correctional Institute by the Tribeca Film Festival to be a speaker at the screening of Gideon’s Army, which follows a number of public defenders and their interaction with their clients. Before the movie the inmates had extremely harsh opinions about the attorneys that represented them. After they watched the movie their opinions softened a bit and had a better understanding of the mindset of their defense attorneys. What everyone should take from this is that wha...
May 23, 2017•28 min
Scott and Oscar continue their discussion about Scott’s presentation and attendance at Avvo’s annual Lawyernomics conference in Las Vegas. The talk focuses on SEO and recognizing where your practice is at - brand new practices don’t have the same needs and opportunities as mature growing practices. The focus must be on what can best improve your practice. Not everything will work for everybody. The hosts discuss the value of attending professional conferences to keep learning about what’s out th...
May 16, 2017•23 min
One of the nice things about having “Rebooted” our practices and having started this podcast is the opportunity to share what we have learned with other attorneys. Avvo was nice enough to invite us to speak at their Lawyernomics conference in Las Vegas. Scott discusses some of what he learned including how all marketing should be done purposefully, how PR work has been folded into social media and your web presence and how Avvo believes the future of successful practices will rely on data driven...
May 09, 2017•30 min
This week Scott and Oscar discuss how giving presentations can be an important part of your practice. Not only do they show that you are engaged in topics that effect your clients and show your authority but are also a good way to network meet other attorneys. Although you may not be able to picture yourself speaking in front of others and may be absolutely terrified by the prospect, it is like any other skill. At first you may be nervous and unsure of yourself but like anything else the more ex...
May 02, 2017•23 min
Not only do you have an obligation as an attorney to keep track of the changes in your area of law but you should determine if any changes can be a business opportunity for your practice. Scott discusses new changes in New York criminal law one that he believes may be an excellent opportunity to expand his practice and one that may have a detrimental effect. If you see an opportunity, you should have the mindset to create a niche practice from this new opportunity. And don't just wait for the cl...
Apr 25, 2017•30 min
This week Oscar and Scott discuss how some clients may be more trouble than they are worth Even though the money a client is paying you might be attractive at first, the amount of work, stress and frustration the case and client may bring may not be worth taking the case If you get caught up in a situation like this, you can’t complain about it being the fault of the client. It is the lawyers decision to take on the client and you must hold yourself responsible for the quality of the clients tha...
Apr 18, 2017•24 min
This week Scott and Oscar talk about their experiences with the networking site LinkedIn. While both of the podcast hosts agree that all solos and small firm practitioners should have a Linked In profile, Oscar is the bigger fan of the site. That stems from his practice being largely a commercial litigation practice and Linked In being a social networking tool mostly for business and professional people. The hosts talk about how to get the most out of it by being active on it, and using it to fi...
Apr 10, 2017•18 min
This week, we continued our interview with Michelle and Anthony DiPaolo, discussing their decision to hire an office manager. We’ve often talked on the podcast about how to determine when the right time is to take on that first employee. The DiPaolos explain how their practice was ready for the hire and how bringing on an office manager has helped them grow their practice. They offer great insight for listeners on what benefits they derive from having someone else deal with much of the administr...
Apr 03, 2017•20 min
This week Reboot Your Law Practice invites married law partners Michelle and Anthony DiPaolo to talk about how they balance their law practice with their home life. While most of us are not married to our law partners (though it sometimes feels that way) listeners can gain lots of insight into work/life balance and law firm organization and structure by checking out this episode. The DiPaolos talk about things that effect all of us – when your work interferes with your home life; planning family...
Mar 27, 2017•23 min
Wouldn’t it be great if we won every motion, every trial, and every case? Or if we went through our entire legal career without ever making a mistake? Sure, but that’s just not realistic. If you make an error on a case or if you just did not get the outcome your client expected how do you deal with it? The podcast hosts not only discuss your need to be honest and direct with your client to meet your ethical obligations, but they also talk about how coming clean with your client will relieve your...
Mar 21, 2017•21 min
Every lawyer and firm has come across a difficult client. But in a small firm or solo practice, lawyers don’t have the luxury of blowing off and ignoring difficult clients. You need to have a conversation with the client about the parameters of the relationship. It helps to give the client something to do- tasks - to help the case along – have them track down relevant facts or create timelines. Keep the client informed about the timing of the case and the court docket. Reach out to them when the...
Mar 14, 2017•27 min
Scott and Oscar discuss some recent encounters with lawyers that make for good examples of Dos and Don’ts to rebuilding your practice. On the “Do” side – Scott references a lawyer who used social activism to help develop business leads and eventually a successful law practice. On the Don’t side, Oscar discusses a lawyer who was lamenting that his practice was dying and he had no idea where business was going to come from; meanwhile, Oscar had afterwards met a mutual friend of theirs who was a gr...
Mar 07, 2017•27 min
In response to a listener’s question about how to balance your time between legal work and administrative tasks, the host discuss how they strive to find time to do all that is necessary to practice law and run a law practice – two very different things. While discussing the various methods that they use, Scott and Oscar focus on three important points: · Organization and Planning are Key · Put a System in Place That You Will Actually Use · Don’t Procrastinate and Get Things Done This may mean o...
Feb 28, 2017•24 min
In today’s world, with all its access to instant information, you must be careful how you tout yourself online. Scott and Oscar discuss a variety of real life cases where lawyers got into serious trouble for overstating their experience or outright lying about their credentials online. If you have no heavy experience to boast of, then build up your accessibility, talk about your commitment to clients, back it up by offering effective and immediate communication. Say something that differentiates...
Feb 21, 2017•28 min
As the podcast hosts celebrate the milestone of their 100th Episode they do not rest on their laurels. Rather, they talk about the need to constantly re-check your website, online profile and other marketing material. It can be very comforting to just sit in a cocoon and think all is well and business is just down. It takes courage and fortitude to routinely and regularly analyze what you are doing about growing your practice. Don’t put aside what seems like monumental tasks once you have determ...
Feb 14, 2017•24 min
After Scott is knocked out for the count by a bad cold, the hosts discuss ways that a solo practitioner can get some back up in the case of an emergency. You must have something in place for contingencies, vacations, sick days or double-booked court dates you can’t attend. Per diem lawyers, office shares, joining websites and listservs that provide that coverage are ways you can build a safety net for yourself and your practice.
Feb 07, 2017•20 min
We recognize that we push networking a lot – an awful lot. But we bring it up again because it is vital to growing a practice. We have given lots of suggestions about ways to “Get yourself out there” and we do not expect that anyone can do all of them. But in this episode, we talk about ways to explore opportunities for networking in places or in groups that you are already spending your time – Little League, Volunteer Firehouse, Place of Worship. All of these could be a chance to talk about you...
Jan 31, 2017•21 min
Rome wasn’t built in a day and the same will be true for your practice. The hosts discuss how they started this podcast after their individual “Reboots” have blossomed and after many ups and downs. Listeners are encouraged to remember that it may take a while for the fruits of their efforts to be noticeable. You may have to adapt, modify, re-tool or even start over completely along the way. It’s hard to keep your chin up while you wait for it to happen, but don’t sit idly by during that period. ...
Jan 24, 2017•22 min
Steven Funari from Law Office Suites wrote a recent article that discussed 7 important things that solo practitioners should do. Steven recognizes how overwhelming it can be to be a small or solo attorney and gives this tips to help attorneys with time management, become lean, grow professionally and personally and just be able to deal with the every day stress of running your own practice. We chime in with our opinions about each of the activities. You can check out Steven’s website at http://l...
Jan 17, 2017•23 min
When Scott discovers that one of his main phone number somehow stopped working, it leads to a discussion about the need to continually check and update your social media. When you have a small or solo firm it can take very little to derail a month of revenue if something is wrong with your social media or marketing presence. Vigilance is everything. Periodically check your webpage, your phone system and your marketing to make sure things are working. Also, check to see whether the information yo...
Jan 10, 2017•24 min
Lisa Solomon discusses how attorneys can use nowcounsenletwork.com. Specifically how to initiate contact and get a quote, how billing works and the parameters of the attorney/freelancer agreement. We then discuss how working with an experienced freelance lawyer can help you provide the service that your clients are accustomed to while gaining back time for yourself to build your practice. We also discuss how she vets the attorneys who do work for nowcounsenletwork.com and how an attorney can bec...
Jan 03, 2017•20 min
Lawyers who become busy have traditionally had only one option. Hire an associate. But due to technology and shifts in the marketplace, hiring a freelance lawyer is now easier than ever. This week, Scott talks to Lisa Solomon from Now Counsel Network who discusses how hiring a freelancer can help solo and small firms, increase profits, lessen stress and grow their practices. Lisa can be reached at http://nowcounselnetwork.com and @nowcounselnet
Dec 27, 2016•28 min
Lawyers likely get inundated with ads for client management or practice management software that make numerous promises that will revolutionize your practice. Look past the promises and investigate the validity of the claims made. You need to find the proper program that is streamlined to your needs. Some programs specialize in email drip campaigns; some help you with intake forms; others help you set up an intake system right from your website. It’s not one size fits all and you can spend a lot...
Dec 20, 2016•24 min
Getting properly paid for your time is essential to a successful practice but also one of the most difficult goals to obtain. How do you set the right price? How do you get clients to commit to paying right at the initial consultation? Oscar and Scott discuss what has worked in the past for their practices and provide some concrete tips in dealing with getting retained by prospective clients. You have to be comfortable in quoting fees and finding that right figure for each matter that makes sens...
Dec 13, 2016•28 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss how they use texting and visual voicemail to help maintain client communication. In today’s world, clients expect a much higher level of connectivity and communication with their lawyer. Scott and Oscar chat about how they decided to give clients their cell phone numbers to ease communication and make themselves more productive and how they manage client expectations about contact and responding to inquiries. That leads to a discussion on how using tech to incr...
Dec 06, 2016•24 min
