How To Start A Successful Law Practice
by William L. Pfeifer Jr.
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Book Summary Information
Author: William L. Pfeifer Jr.Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-12
ISBN: 0978727703
Number of pages: 164
Publisher: Pipers Willow, Inc.
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780978727703
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of How To Start A Successful Law Practice
Book Review: Insubstantial and Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
I had to double check the title and this page after reading through this slim offering from William Pfeifer in one afternoon - did I really order the right book? Did Amazon send me the right book? This was in fact the book reviewed, and Amazon didn't mess up, so I'm left with a very sour taste in my mouth.
I was really hoping that this book would offer what lawyers contemplating solo practice really, really need - a thorough discussion of the many facets of Project Solo Start-Up. Alas, it's worse than Foonberg, worse than the "Flying Solo" collection (which is a useful compendium on various relevant topics, if it doesn't quite do the job of shepherding the lawyer-entrepreneur through the process start to finish) - it's the single least helpful book I've read on this subject (though I haven't read the Hal Davis book or "Hanging Out a Shingle" the apparently outdated Weyher offering).
Pfeifer does have a fairly straightforward and easy to read writing style, which I appreciate. He knows his stuff - and I'm sure he's a very successful solo lawyer. But unfortunately, being a successful solo lawyer doesn't always translate to being able to write about being a successful solo lawyer. While some chapters contain helpful bits (the rundown on practice areas in Chapter 2, for instance, and the discussion on office location in Chapter 3), no one chapter really gets it quite "right" and much is omitted. Where's the discussion on web marketing, for instance? (It gets one paragraph.) How about some information on paper-less offices? (A scanner isn't even mentioned as an essential piece of equipment!)
Some of the advice he offers strikes me as strange. He bucks the conventional wisdom concerning nicheing your practice and advocates new lawyers open generalized practices, and compete on price. I (and many others) think that's just wrong. Even the collection of forms in the last chapter are useful only as beginning templates. The one page retainer agreement leaves out a lot - evergreen retainer, anyone? how about an email policy? a description of the exact services offered and excluded? This is the theme of my reaction throughout the book - "but what about ...?" and "is that all there is?"
That's not all there is to the subject of starting a solo practice, and readers are shortchanged everywhere they turn, it seems. No one book gets it quite right. Foonberg's meaty, but outdated, a bit stilted, and strangely arranged. Flying Solo is good, but it's not a real "how to" guide. This one's insubstantial as cotton candy in places, though it does offer some good thoughts. It's a difficult thing to do, setting up a solo practice, and it deserves a better treatment than it's gotten so far. But I can't lay all that at Pfeifer's feet. I will, however, take him to task for an incomplete discussion, and some odd (if provocative) position statements.
A different version of this review appears on The Inspired Solo, [...]
Summary of How To Start A Successful Law Practice
HOW TO START A SUCCESSFUL LAW PRACTICE: The New Lawyer's Guide To Opening An Office As A Solo Or Small Firm Attorney by William L. Pfeifer, Jr. Whether you are a new lawyer who does not want to work for a firm, or an experienced lawyer who dreams of taking control of your professional career, How to Start a Successful Law Practice is the blueprint you need to start your own law office and make it a success. In How to Start a Successful Law Practice, you'll learn: ? How to develop your personal identity as an attorney ? What to consider in choosing a legal specialty ? How to select an office location ? Which form of business is right for your practice ? The steps to setting up your business ? What office equipment and supplies you need to get started ? Ways to create a professional image through your stationery ? How to set your fees - and how to collect them ? What to look for when you hire a secretary ? Ways to market your practice ? Where to go for legal research materials ? The basic forms you need to get your practice in order Don't spend another day working in a job where someone else gets rich off of your hard work. Start your own law practice, and enjoy the personal freedoms and financial rewards that come from working for yourself. About The Author: William L. Pfeifer, Jr., is an attorney who started his own law practice shortly after graduating from law school. He has practiced both with a partner and in a solo law office, and has firsthand experience in dealing with the challenges of starting a law firm. He is a frequent speaker at legal seminars and political events, has published numerous articles, and maintains a busy and successful law practice.Practical Guides Books
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