Monthly Archives: November 2024

Picking The Best Domain Name For Your Law Practice

In order to run a successful law practice, you’re going to need a website. Your website is the place for potential clients to discover your legal services, get to know you, and  schedule a consultation.

However, before you or hired help creates your website, you’ll want to pick the best domain name for your law firm.

A website and a domain name are not the same, although they are closely connected. The website contains all your content, information, and images. Whereas the domain name is the address that people type in their browsers that bring them to your website.

There are many types of domain names available and there’s a few important guidelines to follow when choosing the best one for your law firm:

Top Level Domain for Lawyers

 Top Level Domains (TLDs) are the little part of the domain name found after the DOT. These include, .COM, .ORG, .NET, and .GOV. There is even a specially created TLD for lawyers called .LAW.

The kind of TLD you decide will play a role in your ability to being found online. The universal TLDs are those listed above. There are also country specific TLDs such as .CA (Canada), .CN (China), .EU (European Union). Using these domains are restricted to those residing in that country and may not have as large a global reach as a .COM.

Most domains can be registered by anyone, however, the .LAW specific TLD requires proof of license before it can be issued.

Is a .LAW the best domain for you?

What Are Lawyer Keywords?

 Consider your domain name as a very important keyword that aides in your website getting found. People looking for a lawyer may search the following in Google: Florida Divorce Lawyers.

 Those words, are considered keywords and they play an important part in how your website is found online.

One thing to keep in mind is that keyword stuffing your domain name could lead to penalties by search engines and prevent your site from ever being noticed.

For example,

“childcustodydivorcelawyers.com”

While a name like this appears to be congruent with your services, there are a variety of reasons to not use this kind of name.

Best Domain Names For Lawyers

 Creating a domain name that is memorable and brandable is the best approach to take. This is important. Your domain name will serve as a banner that not only catches people’s attention but prepares people for what they’ll find on your website.

So, consider the following: what is the overall message you’re trying to say? Can people remember it easily? Can they type it into their browser without difficulty? Are there other websites with domain names similar to yours?

In addition, here are a few points to help you pick the best domain:

  1. Keep it short and simple (KISS). Shorter names are easier to remember and simpler to type into the browser. Just imagine, if your name was Bernie, you could have this: bernietheattorney.com!
  2. Be consistent. Your domain name should be a reflection of the services being offered and/or the location you provide them. Having a name like nyccourtconsultations.com (implying that you offer court consultations in NYC) would be more powerful than worldoflaw.com (potentially implying this site is about a world of flaws?).
  3. Don’t use unpopular TLDs. There are many different domain names available that may seem ideal for branding purposes but have less effect as a common TLD like .COM. Many people are familiar with .COM as a domain name.
  4. Avoid using hyphens. Search engines sometimes consider websites using hyphens as spammy and trying to stuff too many keywords. For example, best-lawyers-in-san-francisco.com may signal to search engines that this website is spam. While hyphens can be used without receiving penalties.

Lawyers Starting A Blog

 Having a website allows your to showcase your practice, services, past clients, and contact information to the entire world. As well, another useful thing to do on your website is starting a blog.

As mentioned before, keywords play an important part in getting your site noticed online. While the domain name plays a significant roles in directing people to the website, the content is the most valuable.

The best way to make your website stand out online is by providing expert advice and quality content. Blogs allow you to build your reputation online as well as discover new, potential clients.

Domain Name Overview:

Do Don’t
 

●        Do use your personal or business name(s). Remember to keep it short and simple. Use a domain name like, smithlawassociates.com, instead of smithandtullylawassociates.com
●        Do use your area of practice. If you’re a divorce lawyer, legal advisor, or criminal lawyer, feature that (i.e. smithdivorcelawyers.com)
●        Do use something memorable. Especially for blogs, having a domain like, fortheloveoflaw.com or leagueoflawyers.com could serve as a great platform to express your legal work as well as for branding purposes.
●        Do use a common TLD (such as .COM or even .LAW).
●        Do consider the ethical code. Making claims that cannot be proven, or misleading (i.e. always-win-lawyers.com) may be a violation of your local jurisdiction’s ethical rules.

 ●        Don’t use names that may change in the future (i.e. if an associate leaves your law firm)
●        Don’t use abbreviations of your legal service that could create a negative reputation (i.e. Austin, Stevens, and Smith Lawyers Group: asslawyers.com)
●        Don’t use spammy words like, best, top, greatest, etc. While you may feel that your law firm is #1 in your area, the search engines may flag your site as spam.
●        Don’t make it too personal. Whatever you are interested in and passionate about should not be used for your domain name, unless, it is relevant to your area of law.
●        Don’t use hard to remember or difficult to spell words.
●        Don’t copy another domain name. If serveandprotect.com is taken, avoid taking serveandprotect.net (or any other TLD). This can confuse your potential clients.

Choosing the best domain name for your law practice is not going to be easy. Remember that search engines like Google do provide benefits when a keyword is matched in your domain name. And you need to register domains from a trusted global domain registration company. However, try to avoid coming off as spammy and use a name that is broad but to the point. For branding purposes, short and catchy would be the better approach.

by Business, Marketing, Ultimate Guides

PPC For Lawyers May Have Just Gotten A Whole Lot Tougher

The focus of a website is to receive the most clicks that provide a steady stream of traffic and leads to an increase in business and clients. The means that every business (and law firm) is fighting for the front page of Google.

Visitors arrive to your website in a variety of way. One way to receive free, organic traffic is by ranking high on search engines via keywords. The content you provide and the keywords included on your pages will be selected by search engines that best match the query.

An alternative to free, organic traffic is PPC (Pay Per Click).

PPC is a highly competitive advertising strategy that can place your website and business pages on the front of Google and other search engines. Due to the changing nature of the online world, PPC for lawyers is going to be much more difficult to come out on top.

What Is PPC?

Pay per click advertising is a method of attracting new clients to your law firm using specific and targeted keywords used by those seeking a lawyer.

Successful campaigns use a landing page that has a distinct message and a clear call-to-action. This means that whenever you advertisement is clicked, that person will be landing on a webpage describing a solution to their problem (i.e. call 123-456-7890 for a FREE CONSULTATION).

PPC campaigns can be set up in a variety of ways with specific ad groups targeting the following:

  • Bankruptcy Lawyer
  • Business Lawyer
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Family Lawyer
  • Medical Malpractice Lawyer
  • Personal Injury Lawyer

Search engines like Google, Yahoo, Yandex, and Bing allow you to design text based ads that will appear when those keywords are entered into the search bar. The concept behind PPC is that you will only pay whenever someone clicks on your ad leading to your website or landing page.

There is potential to create some successful advertisements that allow you to discover new clients, however many of these keywords above are highly sought after by other law firms. In addition, the nature of PPC and how advertising is permitted on these search engines are constantly changing.

The Changing Nature Of PPC

Back in February 2016, Google rolled out a few changes to their some changes to the way they show ads in the search queries. They removed the longer text ads that showed in the right sidebar. This is a complete overview of the changes Google made:

  • No more text ads in the right sidebar of search results on desktop
  • Up to 4 text ads will be shown above the organic listings for “highly commercial queries” (before, up to 3 were displayed)
  • Up to 3 text ads will show at the bottom of the search results.
  • The maximum number of ads to be displayed will be 7 (before, there were up to 11)

Google defines “highly commercial queries” as the keywords that are in high demand in certain industries.

What Does  This Mean for Lawyer’s PPC?

 When you are choosing the right keywords  to setup a PPC campaign, there may be a highly sought after keyword that drives up the prices. Let’s saw for example, “New York Lawyers” is a highly searched keyword. Due to popular demand, you can see yourself paying tens to hundreds of dollars per click.

Consider this. “Lawyer” and “Attorney” are the most expensive keywords used on Bing. They cost over $100 per click when used with search queries like these: “personal injury lawyer” or “accident attorney colorado.” Your monthly PPC campaigns could cost in the thousands with a return of investment being entirely uncertain. Bing is known to be the cheaper advertising platform and Google is likely to be much higher.

With the changes made by Google, this puts increasing competition on keywords but also to a top ranking position in the search queries. Where before prices may have varied from a dollar up, the supply and demand can push your PPC campaign budget beyond its limits.

The Downside Of PPC Campaigns For Lawyers

 PPC offers a paid alternative to getting your website noticed by potential clients. However, these campaigns are based entirely on bids and competition for keywords. If there are a lot of advertisers bidding on the same keyword, the price goes up.

Unfortunately, PPC advertising does not guarantee that every click will lead to your next client. In fact, you could be losing a significant amount of money at each click when no one is contacting you for your legal services.

This document from Google detailing factors that influence your PPC viewability, claims that 56.1% impressions are not actually seen. This implies a considerable amount of loss and uncertainty when relying on PPC to find new clients and grow your firm.

Now, here’s something that you have to be aware of. Since you are not the only one competing for “high commercial queries” there are occasions of click fraud.

Click fraud is an extremely shameful marketing practice where one of your competitors will continually click on your ads until your budget is depleted. While Google does provide protection from fruad, there are still ways to get around this.

What Can Lawyers Do?

Paying $100 per click may not be a viable solution for small law firms.

As an alternative to pay per click advertising, lawyers can start their own blog and generate organic traffic to their websites. Although this too requires a significant amount of keyword research, time writing articles, and consistency with posting, the investment are for those seeking long term returns.

Having a blog can bring a flow to steady clients without having to spend thousands on advertising. By utilizing your knowledge and expertise in your field, you can provide solutions clients are searching for and direct them to a direct method of getting in contact with your legal services.

When combined with social media and other marketing strategies, blogging can be a relief to highly competitive and sometimes fraudulent ways of PPC campaigns.

by Marketing

How Much Do Lawyers Make A Month?

How Much Do Lawyers Make A Month?

Law tends to attract a lot of people seeking high salaries, competitive jobs, and rewarding work. However, the amount of money a lawyer makes vary greatly and depends on the type of work you do, the organization federal government that you work for, you educational experience and education, and where you are located in the country.

Starting your own family law firm has the potential to bring in much more money than a full lawyer salary or entry level position at a firm. There are a number of obstacles to overcome but if you have the right plan in place and a strategy to succeed, your salary can be whatever you make it.

Like any career, doing your own research on legal matters will help guide you on the decisions you make for your legal career. Since the monthly median salary amount for a lawyer has such a large discrepancy, make sure your expectations match reality. Utilizing an hourly to salary calculator can convert your expected hourly wage to an annual salary, bridging the gap from hourly to salary insights. This conversion aids in aligning your financial expectations with the practicalities of annual to hourly salary calculations in the legal field.

Remember that law is constantly changing and  that some skills and areas of legal field may become less needed than others. From a financial point of view, this can be significantly less profitable and result in lower monthly wages.

Now that you have an overview of the financial situation in the the legal profession and career path, let’s take a look at the finer details.

Average Monthly Salary For Lawyers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average annual salary for a lawyer in 2016 to be $139,880. This works out to be around $11,656 per month on average.

Some of the lowest paying salaries started around $55,870 per year. This is around $4,655 per month. When you look at the top private practice, corporate sector, some corporate lawyers are making up to $214,630 per year. This is around $17,885 per month.

“Most lawyers leave a lot of money on the table because they do not have a proper sales funnel in place to attract new clients or convert them well. Great sales funnel software can bridge this gap by mapping out a proper funnel and help them earn significantly more than the industry average.” – Shailen Vandeyar, FunnelTeacher.com

Best Paying Industries for Lawyers

In the corporate sector, there are a few industries that provide lawyers with a generous wage. Those in scheduled air transportation were the ones who received an an average salary of $17,885 per month. Lawyers working in Beer, Wine and Distilled Alcohol, were making around $17,125. Another nice paying industry is the Cable and Other Subscription Programming which had an average monthly wage of $16,272.

Here’s a look at the wages based on occupational industries:

Finance & Insurance$12,166Federal Government$11,621Legal Services$9,888Local Government$7,661State Government$7,335

Wages for Public Lawyers

In this stream of law, lawyers represent clients on cases ranging from traffic violations

to criminal felonies. In these situations, people may prove to the court that they cannot afford to pay the lawyer’s fees for legal proceedings. Typically, these kinds of lawyers are paid by the government as a regular employee or case by case, as needed by the state supreme court.

Even though trial cases and patent laws tend to provide the biggest payouts for corporate lawyer, not all lawyers pursue a corporate career. Public lawyers can make a respectable wage with the starting wage typically around $4,166 to well over $8,333 per month.

Wages Based On Location

Lawyers practicing law in house counsel or along the coasts tend to receive a significantly high wage than those practicing law in the mainland. When you’re working in the big cities like New York and Washington, wage are competitively higher than places like Alabama and Kentucky.

Here’s a breakdown of monthly average salaries for lawyers at law firms throughout various U.S. cities:

Coastal Cities

San Jose$17,000San Francisco$14,000Los Angeles$14,425New York City$13,438

Nonmetropolitan Cities

Southwest Montana$6,244Northeast Mississippi$9,600Central Kentucky$5,146Northern Vermont$9,385

Wages from: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm

Wages for Solo-Practitioners

If you’re fresh out of law school or even a veteran in the field, you might have considered starting your own law firm. Doing so allows you to create a wage based on as many hours as you want to work on complex issues and legal disputes. Of course, the demand for your legal services should also be factors in addition to your marketing plan and marketing success.

Nonetheless, starting your own legal service can see monthly wages ranging from ,978 to ,099 per month.

This incredible range may be due to the following factors:

  • Caseload / work demands
  • Location within a city
  • Location within the country
  • Marketing plan/strategy
  • Referral network
  • Online access (i.e. lawyers with a blog)
  • Legal Experience
  • Area of practice

The Wage And Workload

 While the upper paying salaries are are to get excited for, the amount of work required to receive it may not be as appealing. Many law firms hiring new lawyers can expect between 80 or 90 hours per week to show their dedication to their profession.

If you are unable to handle this kind of workload, seeking a lower-paying job within the other legal services industry may be more suitable.

The kind of work that will be required of you includes:

  • Advising clients (i.e. business transactions, claim liability, prosecutions or defense of lawsuits, legal rights and obligations)
  • Represent clients in court during summary cases to judges or juries
  • Collect and research evidence for defensive or offensive legal actions
  • Evaluate research and develop strategies and sound arguments to present in court
  • Analyze and interpret laws, rulings, regulations and other legal actions for individuals and business

Lawyers deal with situations where they must advise their clients on a specific course of action. They are responsible for the legal rights and responsibilities their client’s must take. In the business world, lawyers may provide counsel to corporate clients when making business transactions. As well as legal secretaries, there are lawyers attorneys who work in the legal system and represent their clients in court actions.

There is a wide range of work required from lawyers, from various legal documents to contract litigations, criminal cases to patent contracts. The amount of hours required from a lawyer will vary month to month. Working at a law firm, will provide you with a stable monthly income, as detailed above. However, if you’re a self-employed lawyer, your monthly wage is likely to change depending on the number of clients coming in.

Overall, working in the legal system is a time-sensitive environment with extreme working demands. There will be long hours and extensive research to prepare for court cases and client situations. All these factors lead to the wide differences in how much a lawyer makes per and how much money does legal assistant of a lawyer make a month.

by Business

What Should I Name My Law Firm?

Whether you’re fresh out of law school ready to start your own firm or thinking about rebranding your existing practice, you might be wondering, what should I name my law firm?

If you find yourself legally ready to practice law, opening your own law firm may be in your best interest. You will have the freedom and flexibility to provide your legal services to a wide range. In addition, the name of your law firm will be an important part of growing your practice.

Or, you might want to boost your presence in your community by rebranding your current firm’s image. Maybe you recently brought on a new partner expert in divorce law while you specialize in family law. Naming your law firm should reflect this new change.

Whatever situation you find yourself, having the right name for your law firm can bring you new clients or turn them away.

Here are some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to naming a law firm.

PART 1: USING THE RIGHT NAME

PART 2: NAMES TO AVOID

PART 3: BRANDING YOUR LAW FIRM

PART 4: UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

PART 1: USING THE RIGHT NAME

Historically, law firms were named after their founding partners. You’ll often see names like, Smith & Associates, Davis Brooke & Cromwell Law Associates. While some firms still follow this method, the industry has adapted to new trends to try and grab the attention of potential clients.

When it comes to your law firm, choose a name that captures your practice in a way that connects to the people who need you.

Here are a few guidelines to choosing your law firm name:

  1. Use Family Surnames. It’s not uncommon to start a law firm with a family member. Doubling your names to represent your law firm would work for husband and wife partners, parents and children, or even between siblings.
  2. Use Partner Surnames. You can acknowledge all the partners in the law firm by putting their surnames into the new law firm name. If you were founded by 4, you might have a name like: Glaxo, Smith, Slate & Cline.
  3. Use Memorable and Catchy Surnames. Plain and common names like “Smith” might not stand out in you law firm’s name. If possible, use the catchy surnames first like “Glaxo” which may be more memorable.
  4. Order Of The Names. Be careful! When deciding the name for your firm, your partners (or even you) may want their name to go first. Often, the first two names of a law firm will be remembered if there’s more than two. Be sure to choose the most memorable names for those first two.
  5. Keep Names Brief. If you’re partnering with a large group of graduates, having a 10+ long law firm name will be a bit of a mess. Try shortening the name down to one main name and associates. This is also useful when it comes to creating name cards, signage, and other forms of advertisements. Addition note: don’t use names that are too difficult to pronounce (and remember).
  6. Double Check Your Acronym. There’s nothing more embarrassing than creating a name for your law firm that condenses into a less desirable word. If you’re partners are: Paul, Eric, & Emily Law Associates, you’ll end up with a short version off “PEE Law Associates.” Rearrange your names or restart with a fresh new idea.

PART 2: NAMES TO AVOID

Now that you have an idea as to how to name your law firm, there are a few distinctive don’ts you should also consider.

  1. Don’t use non-lawyers as your partner(s). You are not permitted to form a law firm with non-lawyers acting as partners.
  2. Don’t use misleading names. Choosing a name like, “New York Law Association” implies that you are state run law firm. You cannot imply any connections to public, government, or charitable legal services.
  3. Don’t use names of people already holding office. Having a name like “Trump & Associates” may be deemed illegal. You cannot use the name of a lawyer currently practicing law in a public office.
  4. Don’t claim false partnership. If you aren’t practicing with anyone else, don’t claim that you are. If you are sharing an office with another lawyer but you are not practicing together it would be misleading to use a name like, “Schuster & Smith Associates.”

Be sure to check whether you can legally register your name. You may not be able to register the name you want if it is already taken as every state has different restrictions.

For a complete understanding of how to legally name your law firm, please see the Rules of Professional Conduct

PART 3: BRANDING YOUR LAW FIRM

There are a few things you can do to make your name more memorable and your service well known. Here’s a few tips for branding your law firm’s name.

  1. Keep it short. Using a single word may be useful for branding and marketing purposes. For example, “Justice Legal Attorneys” could become known as the go-to lawyers for getting “justice.”
  2. Use your area of practice. If you’re a divorce lawyer, defense lawyer, corporate lawyer, or any other kind, put that in your name. This helps you differentiate from all the other lawyers can can be useful if you plan on putting your law firm on a website.
  3. Get a trademark. If you’re thinking of growing a large practice in your area, considering trademarking your name early. Do this if the branding associated with your law firm is original and distinct.

PART 4: UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Getting a second opinion from friends and family can help you determine the best name for your law firm. Create a list of your top 3 and send them out in an email. Get the people closest to you to vote on a name that resonates with them.

In addition, you may want to do some research on your local community where you intend to practice. Selecting a name that has no negative associations will make for a better business.

Final Thoughts:

Take special consideration when considering the name for your new law firm. The name you choose can have an impact on your prospective client’s awareness. Choosing a name that is easy to remember as well as highlighting your area of specialty will be the ideal approach.

by Branding

Rise Of The Machines? Will Lawyers Become Obsolete?

Let’s consider this for a moment: lawyers being replaced by robots.

It sounds like a farfetched, sci-fi movie featuring advanced robotics bringing clients to court with analytical judges determining the fate of humanity.

However, as crazy as it may sound, will lawyers become obsolete with the growing trends in technology and communication?

Since the dawn of industrialization, there have been numerous revolutions in robotics technology that has freed up labors for the blue collar workers. From the view of human progress, this is the step in the right direction. However, as more and more people are losing jobs to robots, how will this affect the legal world?

Advancements in technology allows for information to be stored and retrieved in an easily accessible and systematized way. If artificial intelligence can be designed to extract evidence useful for litigations, to collect details for contracts, and trigger red flags whenever companies are committing fraud or other illegal activities, would this eliminate the number of lawyers needed in the world?

Automatization of Legal Work

Automatization is an ongoing development that allows for time efficiency and saving significant amounts of money. From a client’s point of view, if utilizing an online database, or “e-lawyer” to get accurate results, fast.

The early beginnings of technology designed to make a lawyer’s life easier started with chatbots. Technology from Ross and Lex Machina provide a chat lot system that makes setting up consultations simple for clients to do.

Another rising robot is called DoNotPay which was developed by Joshua Browder. This is a free parking ticket fighting chatbot that asks you a series of questions about your case. Questions like, “Were you illegally parked because of a medical emergency?” or “Were road signs clearly marked?”

At the end of the chat, the bot prepares a letter that can be used to fight parking tickets. So far, this system has been used to help hundreds of thousands of people to win parking ticket violations in Seattle, New York, and London.

What Areas of Law Could Be Most Affected

Technology is advancing at an extremely rapid pace. Each and every year a new highly developed superphone is being shoved into our pockets. If automatizing the lawyer process is the next step into the future, there may be some areas of law that will be impacted more than others.

The areas of law that once required many forms, contacts, and documents to be made may soon become obsolete. Things like business documents, contested filings, and estate planning documents, while performed by non-lawyers, are a part of the collective income of a law firm.

Currently, there are companies racing to innovate this area of law by creating efficient online services that can provide these documents in a single click.

Take for example LawGeex. They have developed an AI system that allows for the automation and approval of contracts. There focus is to eliminate paper work altogether.

Once, lawyers were required for their legal knowledge and careful selection of law like words. Now, AI machinery will be able to analyze text to review and understand the legal document.

What Are the Possibilities  of Robolawyers?

These chatbots could be the beginning of a complete legal revolution. There could be dramatic changes to the way bankruptcy, divorce disputes, and deportation can be dealt with. Instead of using a lawyer to dispute the finer points of law, AI systems can be developed to analyze every possible situation and find the exceptions, loopholes and historical cases needed to win a case.

Essentially, an AI will have access to a whole database of legal language and the history of legal cases to make decisions. From this perspective, the argument of human error leading to mistakes in law can certainly be avoided.

Here’s a couple more examples of law being replaced with technological solutions.

Judicata which is developing a database that was just mentioned above. While it may not be a go to tool for people experiencing a legal issue, it’s an AI program that provides lawyers with a chance to extract the information they need to build a case or contract.

Another AI based law solution comes from FairDoc. FairDoc focused on creating a virtualized legal team allowing for intake of clients to be made online and even tracking your client activity. It’s another cost effective solution to reduce the amount of work that is typically demanded by lawyers.

How Can You Fight The Rise of Robots?

There’s no avoiding the rapid growth that technology has in the world. As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

In this case, the some of the roboticized approaches to law may work in your favor. Since you are a lawyer with the knowledge and experience in the field, many of the time saving services that are reducing the amount of paperwork can still be performed through you.

When it comes to sensitive issues and human beings, going to see a lawyer will almost always be the preferred approach to dealing with a machine.

However, to assure yourself a job in the future to come, here’s a few things to consider:

  1. Approach new technology cautiously. Technology is often being tested and does come with some setbacks. While AI lawyers may seem like a smart solution, a single hack could leak a lot of sensitive information.
  2. Question what may be “replacing” you. Be skeptical. Not all technology may be the best for you, your law firm, or your clients.
  3. Accept changes. You can stick to traditional law practice, and perhaps you’ll be just fine, however finding a few new pieces of software that makes your law practice easier and more efficient may be in your best interest.
  4. Preserve your practice. Let’s face it, some parts of technology can be good, but outsourcing significant parts of your business with 3rd parties can become a liability. Your clients trust you. Therefore you have to make decisions as to whether the products and “robots” used in your practice can be trusted for the long term.

Conclusion

Likely there won’t be a terminator situation rising anytime soon for lawyers, however being up-to-date will help you stay ahead. One of the best things to is to embrace the coming changes but doing so with a hint of skepticism. To really succeed, bringing your law practice online may be the cutting edge you need to stay alive. Imagine having your own blog, you could be the leader in the transition from human based lawyers to AI law machines.

by Business, Marketing

Essential Legal Strategies to Minimize Liability Risks for Small Business Owners

https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/attention-maintenance-danger-risk-swimming_1103174.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=1&uuid=0eeb49e8-bcef-4301-8191-03bbe1629a2e

 

If you’re the owner of a small business, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure it succeeds. America is made up of small businesses of all kinds, many that go on to thrive while others don’t survive. Part of having a successful business is knowing which legal strategies you should choose to minimize your liability for common risks. 

 

For specific questions, contact Angel Reyes & Associates. The following strategies will help you protect your small business and maximize your potential to thrive.

Get the Right Insurance Coverage in Place

The right insurance coverage can make all the difference, though it will depend on the nature of your small business as to which one is the best option. If your small business operates out of your home, your homeowners’ insurance policy likely won’t cover any losses related to your company. You can first check to see if your policy allows for riders or get a separate policy that covers you if a client or employee is injured on the premises. 

 

If you have a storefront or office, general liability insurance is essential. This type of insurance can cover accidents and injuries, as well as protect you from being blamed for negligence. If you have created a product, you should get product liability insurance to protect you from losses through lawsuits charging defective products. 

 

Small businesses that have drivers or operate several vehicles should also review the best insurance coverage for commercial vehicles. These are just a few examples of types of insurance you can choose to help protect your small business. You should speak with an attorney to learn more about which types of insurance may be most beneficial in your situation. 

Know Your Risks and Take Steps to Minimize Them

There are risks in every kind of industry, and only through implementing the right procedures can you minimize their occurrence. Showing that you have taken reasonable steps to keep everyone safe on your premises can also protect you if you face a lawsuit down the road. 

 

Every small business is different, though here are some ways you can reduce the risks in your small business. 

Post Proper Signage

Property owners should always be inspecting and maintaining their small businesses. When you find something that needs to be repaired to prevent danger until it can be properly fixed, you should make sure clear and visible signage is placed. Even cleaning tasks can put your customers at risk, which is why it is imperative to use signs that announce wet floors to keep everyone safe. 

 

Based on the specific circumstances, consider having signs posted about safety protocols, directions, potential hazards, or access restrictions from an area under repair. 

Get Rid of Clutter

A small business is much more likely to have less room to move about. You should maximize your space and rid it of any clutter that poses a danger to your customers and employees. 

Maintain the Property

Your small business needs to be maintained to avoid any legal issues. Make it part of your routine to evaluate your property and make repairs promptly. Review areas of concern such as stairwells, parking lots, sidewalks and walkways, lighting, and other common dangers that can lead to injuries.

Understand Your Role in Compliance

Another reason to speak with an attorney is to ensure that your small business is compliant in every area. You can’t claim ignorance of these laws to protect you should a lawsuit arise. Review the regulations for your particular industry to ensure you’re following everything to the letter to minimize your liability risks.

Keep It Clean

Ever since the pandemic, greater focus has been put on business environments. Whether you operate a small office or a small cafe, you need to do your part to protect guests and employees alike from suffering preventable outbreaks and illnesses.

 

Food safety should be a top concern for any small business that works with food. Make sure that perishable foods are stored in proper containers at the correct temperature to keep them from spoiling. Review everything carefully to stay compliant and avoid citations from the health department.

 

Additionally, you should have easy access to hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations. Hiring a cleaning crew can help keep your premises clean which can prevent the spread of bacteria and other germs for the best practices in your business. 

Be Honest and Accurate with What You Provide

When you have a product or service you provide through your small business, make sure you’re telling the truth about your offerings. You must be able to verify all claims that you make. Misrepresentation and bending the truth are the easiest ways to wind up on the other end of a lawsuit. 

 

Ideally, it’s best to get all of your ducks in a row before launching your small business. If you haven’t yet already, make sure you have professional contracts in place and have an attorney review your product marketing, instructions for use, and everything else. This will help you identify any risks you may have missed and take the steps to correct them before a problem can arise. 

Talk to an Attorney About Your Small Business

Opening up your small business may be a dream come true, though it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t have essential legal strategies in place to minimize your liability risks. These risks will vary depending on the type of business you operate, and it’s wise to discuss things with a lawyer to stay ahead of them.

 

You may know that having a wet floor in your store without a sign to warn visitors can cause trouble, though you may miss other dangers or leave your business vulnerable in another way. From slip and fall accidents to being accused of making false product claims, a lot can go wrong. Stay ahead of the potential problems that business owners of large and small companies alike face by knowing what to look for and setting up the right protections.

 

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Do I Need a Lawyer if My Injury Claim Was Denied?

Experiencing an injury is stressful enough without the added complication of having your claim denied. Enlisting the help of a lawyer can significantly improve the likelihood of reversing that decision and securing the compensation you need. Many individuals in Georgia face this predicament, often feeling uncertain about their next steps.

Navigating the legal system can seem daunting, especially when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. Understanding how insurance companies operate, including the common reasons behind denied claims, is crucial. A lawyer can provide the expertise needed to challenge a denial and work towards a favorable outcome.

In Georgia, specific laws and procedures govern injury claims, making local legal knowledge invaluable. A skilled attorney will be familiar with these regulations and can guide you through the complexities involved. Seeking professional assistance is a proactive step toward ensuring your rights are protected and your case is presented effectively.

Understanding Claim Denial

When an injury claim is denied, various factors can influence the outcome. Recognizing common reasons for such denials and understanding the tactics used by insurance companies can help in addressing these challenges effectively.

Common Reasons for Denial

Claims may face denial for multiple common reasons. One frequent cause is incomplete or incorrect paperwork, which can lead to procedural rejections. Errors in filing details, such as misstated facts or missed deadlines, often result in claims being rejected.

Lack of sufficient evidence is another key reason. Insurance adjusters might require thorough documentation, including medical records and witness statements, to validate the claim. Without strong supporting evidence, insurers may opt to deny the request.

In Georgia, particular legal standards and requirements can also play a part. Failing to meet these specific state regulations might lead to a claim’s denial. Awareness of filing an injury claim in Georgia criteria can assist in preventing these obstacles.

Insurance Companies’ Tactics

Insurance companies often employ certain tactics when dealing with claims. They might use delay strategies, requesting additional information to slow down the process and frustrate claimants. This can lead some to abandon their claims altogether.

Lowball offers are another common tactic. Insurers often propose settlements significantly lower than what a claim might warrant. This strategy is intended to reduce their financial liabilities.

In Georgia, understanding these tactics is crucial for claimants. Awareness can empower individuals to negotiate better and potentially seek legal advice when facing persistent or aggressive denial tactics. Many find value in consulting attorneys who understand these methods and can advise on effective responses.

A courtroom with a judge presiding over a personal injury settlement case, with lawyers and clients presenting evidence and arguments

Navigating the Legal Process

When an injury claim is denied, understanding the legal process becomes crucial. Navigating complex legal pathways could involve identifying when to seek legal help, evaluating the advantages of specialized attorneys, and addressing the necessary steps for an appeal.

When to Consider Legal Representation

Denied injury claims can be challenging to address alone. Seeking legal representation is advisable if the denial seems unjust or unclear. Legal professionals can interpret complex denial notices and insurance laws.

An individual might consider hiring a lawyer if the claim involves significant injuries, substantial financial losses, or if negotiations with insurance adjusters become difficult. A consultation with a McDonough Personal Injury Lawyer can clarify the potential merit in pursuing a dispute.

Benefits of Hiring a McDonough Personal Injury Lawyer

A McDonough Personal Injury Lawyer can advocate effectively for denied claims. Their expertise helps in assessing the factors leading to claim denial and building a strong appeal. They understand the nuances of local laws and insurance procedures.

Hiring such a lawyer often improves the odds of a successful appeal by leveraging their negotiation skills and legal expertise. Their expertise in personal injury law ensures that clients receive knowledgeable counsel and representation throughout the process. They also handle the paperwork and communicate strategically with insurance companies, aiming for a favorable resolution.

Steps to Appeal a Denied Claim

Appealing a denied claim involves several critical steps. Firstly, understanding the reason for denial is essential. Examining the denial letter closely and gathering supporting medical and financial documentation are crucial components.

The next step includes submitting a formal written appeal, adhering to the insurance company’s specific guidelines and deadlines. Often, a skilled personal injury lawyer plays a vital role in preparing and presenting a compelling case that addresses the denial’s reasons.

By following a structured approach to appealing a denial, claimants enhance their chances of success. Legal counsel not only ensures all requirements are met but also tailors the appeal to resonate with legal standards and insurance protocols.

 

by Marketing

Starting Your Own Law Firm Checklist

Think of starting your own law firm? Here is a simple checklist to guide your toward setting up your office, deciding on the area of law you will practice, your legal responsibilities, staffing demands, and much more.

Name Your Law Firm

It all starts here: naming your law firm. This is going to be the most important decisions you will have to make for your law firm. Your name will identify who you are and what you do. Using your own surname is a traditional approach to naming a law firm, however, there may be some added benefits when you include the type of law you practice (i.e. Mathers & Son Divorce Lawyers Inc.).

Choose One Area of Law

This is important. You could provide a generic practice and try to assist anyone who comes in the front door. This is a rare approach for lawyers nowadays. Pick one or possibly two areas of law to specialize your practice exclusively. You won’t get good if you practice a little of this and a bit of that. You’ll build you confidence and credibility faster when you dedicate your time and efforts on a clearly defined area of law.

Choose A Location

 Opening a law firm, much like any startup, can be done from home. While this may serve as a financially viable solution in the beginning, in the long run, you’re going to want an office. Starting with an office in a key location (i.e. convenient and comfortable for clients to enter for consultations) is key. If you’re on a tight budget, consider sharing some office space or try virtual law offices to act as your front desk.

Legal Stuff

As a lawyer, the last thing you want to do is miss the fine print for the legal obligations you are under. Permits, licenses and identification numbers are likely required to start your own law firm. Check with your local laws to see what will be required from you.

In addition, you have to consider your taxes. Your choices include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation. Each has their own pros and cons and you’ll have to decide which will be best for your personal practice.

Office Furniture

If you’ve found a great location for your office, you’re going to need it furnished. Consider how you want the appearance and aesthetic of your office to be. Also, there are a few office necessities you don’t want to forget:

  • Photocopy machine
  • Personal computer
  • Telephone System and requisite service
  • Fax machine (if necessary)
  • Desks
  • Chairs
  • Cabinets and book shelves
  • Trash cans and recycling bins
  • Magazines and magazine racks
  • Interior decorations
  • And, don’t forget the long list of office supplies (pencils, envelopes, etc.)

Get a Professional 1-800 Office Number

This is not a necessity but a great idea for branding purposes. Having a 1-800 of 1-855 number can be used to establish yourself as being professional and serious about practicing law. You can even use this number with call forwarding to your personal or direct phone line. Getting a number like this can be set up in less than a day. Try contacting your local telephone service providers for more information.

Library

Every lawyer needs a library to stay up to date as well as for fact checking and research. In your field, law is an ongoing, evolutionary process. Practice guides and case law are constantly being updated. If you choose a location near a law library, you can minimize the cost of your own. There are also a variety of online sources that can assist you with this as well.

Start A Blog To Find Your Clients

Starting a blog may be one of the best solutions for finding new clients. Sharing your knowledge and expertise online can help build your credibility and authority in your community. Also, websites allow people to search and choose lawyers and firms that best suit their needs. If your website is setup correctly, clients will be coming to you instead of you having to search for your clients.

Build a Referral Network

 Let everyone know that you are going to be starting a law firm. Meet with other practicing lawyers and ask how they found and received their cases. If they’re in a different field of law, you may be able to build some connections that pass off some clients in your direction. Or, they may be overwhelmed with work of their own and will refer clients to other lawyers they have a relationship with (i.e. you). This is a mutual exchange. If you’re a divorce lawyer and someone comes to you asking for criminal defense, you can refer them to someone in your network.

Another alternative is to set up a system where you can pay people you trust a referral fee. This can incentivise people to send work to you. There are certain laws in place that govern this so you should try to learn how it would be applied to you.

Join Local Organizations and Listservs

Aside from building a referral network, join local organizations like Southern State Criminal Law Association, to connect with fellow lawyers in a similar area of law to discuss cases. Joining this or a listserv, which is an email that gets sent to every single member on the list, is a great way to gain advice and other perspectives from lawyers in your practice. This is extremely useful for those just starting out and require a mentor who can answer questions.

Systems

Like any business, have a key outline of operating principles will help you manage and run your law firm more efficiently and effectively. Here are a few key systems you should consider:

  • Accounting: There are a variety of software programs that can easily manage your finances. Another alternative is to hire an accountant.
  • Time Tracking & Billing: Keep on top of how you track your time and the way you bill your clients will save you from a lot of headaches. Your billing system should issue invoices to clients regularly and in a timely manner for all work as it is completely.
  • Filing: There are going to be a lot of files to organize and storing away. Having easy access so you can find certain documents in the future will create a hassle free work environment.
  • Docketing and Calendar System: Every law firm should have a system in place that manages docketing and calendars. Lawyers are humans too and the chances of forgetting something can happen to them too.
  • Client Conflict: At some point in your career you are likely to experience a few clients unimpressed with your practice. Have a system in place that allows you to manage conflict and keep it in check is a must.

Get Insurance

This is the last thing you want to happen to you in your law firm. However, it is something that must be consider: getting sued for malpractice. There are malpractice insurance companies that can provide you with the protection you need for your practice. This is especially important for those starting a sole proprietorship.

Final Notes

Starting a law firm requires a lot of planning and preparation. You’ll need a budget to cover startup expenses, opening of new accounts, and much more. When the office is set up and you’re ready to work, the next thing to do is to start marketing your law firm.

by Business, Ultimate Guides

Starting A Law Firm

Like any business, there’s risk involved. Starting a law firm, whether fresh out of college or years into a career, requires careful planning, some financial resources, and a marketing plan to succeed.

If you’re serious about starting a law firm, you may find it a little more difficult than passing the bar. Luckily, this is a good place to help you get started.

Before Starting A Law Firm

There are a few things you should consider before going ahead and registering a law firm. The most important place to start is by creating a plan.

Consider these:

The beginning of any new business will be tough and first year startups often struggle before they succeed. Having a little patience and determination will see returns to your personal investments and the only way to get there is with a plan.

Have Enough Cash To Get Started

You need a plan to succeed but you will also need a bit of money. The amount of money you need to invest in the startup of a law firm will vary from person to person. There are many expenses you will have to cover that cannot be avoided. Here’s a list of many of the costs you can expect to pay to get your law firm started:

  • Accounting
  • Answering Service
  • Bank Fees
  • Bar fees and other organizational fees
  • Couriers
  • Insurance (for malpractice claims)
  • Employees
  • Employment Benefits
  • Entertainment Costs
  • Office Lease/Rent
  • Office Supplies
  • Office Furniture
  • Ongoing Legal Education
  • Telephone
  • Unemployment Tax
  • Website for Law Firm

The best way to tackle these necessary costs when starting a law firm is by creating a budget. Look at the bigger picture and develop a budget detailing the next few years. Break down your costs into initial start up (i.e. office supplies, marketing, furniture, etc.) and operating costs (i.e. office lease/rent, staff salaries, etc.).

Choosing a Business Structure for Your Law Firm

Now that you have considered the costs, your area of expertise, and finished all the items on the law firm checklist, it’s time to set up your business.

This part of setting up your law firm requires the legal structure of your business. Choose carefully as to which type you use for your law firm as it will affect various aspects of how you can operate as a business.

Here are the options available to your:

Types of Legal Structures

1. Sole Proprietorship

Starting a sole proprietorship is the most simple option available. In this legal structure, the business is owned and operated by one person (you) and they are liable for any of the business’ obligations.

  • You won’t have to file forms with the state, however they will be needed to obtain licenses and permits.
  • Owners are personally liable for the outcome of the business (i.e. debts)
  • Any income earned is reported on your personal income tax return.

This legal structure is ideal for it’s low cost and basic tax structures, however the unlimited liability and requirement to pay self-employment tax can become a burden. Take for example a client suing you for malpractice. You would be held accountable for any damages.

2. Partnership

A partnership requires two or more people who run and own the law firm. You can create a partnership as either general or limited and is typically governed by an agreed upon contract detailing the partners’ responsibilities

  • Each partner is personally responsible for the partnership’s obligations (for general partnerships).
  • Partners owe fiduciary duties to each other.
  • Taxes are reported and paid by each individual partner’s tax returns.

 Forming a partnership is a low cost and profitable solution for each partner. However, there as joint and several liabilities, sharing profits, and possible disputes between partners that can affect your law firm’s trajectory. If for any reason your partner is sued for malpractice or refuses to participate in some other contractual obligation, your can be held personally liable. The best way to protect yourself from this situation is to consider the next option.

3. Limited Liability Company (LLC)

 A limited liability company (llc) provides members with with protection from personal liability for debts and actions performed by the business, just like a corporation. The difference is that you can choose to be taxed as a partnership.

  • You will be required to file paperwork to your government
  • You will need an operating agreement outlining rights and responsibilities of the members and how the law firm will run
  • Taxes can be dealt with as either a partnership or a corporation

LLCs have the benefits of limited liability and the bookkeeping is less that a corporation. You may not be able to operate as an LLC and it will require research depending on where you live.

4. Corporation

A corporation is a unique, business entity that has limited liability and is owned by shareholders.

  • You will be required to file paperwork to your government
  • You must create bylaws that govern the entire operation of the corporation
  • You will be taxed when the corporation earns profit.

Corporations are taxed twice. First when the corporation earns profits and again when the dividends are distributed to the shareholders.

There are many variations in legal structure to choose from. Whether you are deciding to start your own solo law firm or joining with a partner, choose the right one that suits how you want to run your business and the local laws in your area. You could always start as a sole-proprietorship then upgrade later when your business picks up.

Marketing Your Law Firm

 At this point, you’re cash flow might be depleted but your law firm is ready to go. The next thing you will need to do to start your own law firm is: find clients.

Finding clients will come down to how effective your marketing strategy is, but also, how strong your connections and relationships are with those that know you. Getting a referral from someone who knows your potential makes for easy client acquisition. However, for those that are seeking for legal advice for the first time, they may not have a trusted friend to vouch for you.

Here’s some marketing ideas to help you turn cold connections into your new clients.

1. Announce Your Opening

At the start of your new law firm, send out high-quality announcements to everyone you know (close and distant). If you’ve chosen a niche practice, send it out to those in your local bar association. Don’t forget to send personalized letters to your friends and relatives too. This can be useful for obtaining your first few referred clients.

2. Join a Business Networking Group

There are somethings you can do, and some things you can’t. If you join a business networking group, there are all kinds of opportunities to be found. If there’s lawyers in your group from other areas of specialization, you can create a referral list for them in exchange for a referral list for your specialised legal practice.

3. Become a Public Speaker

If there’s a topic you’re passionate about or a legal issue you want to eliminate, arranging public speeches is a great way to become known in your community. Public speaking allows you to make direct connections with people from the knowledge you have. This type of community outreach lets you display your expertise and build trust in your profession.

4. Start A Blog

Similar to public speaking, consider this public writing. Starting a blog for your law firm is an ideal way to find new clients online. Web sites can receive a lot of traffic depending on how your website is set up and the quality of the content involved.

5. Provide Quality Work

It might sound strange, but you should be providing exceptional “customer” experience. You’re dealing with people and, people talk. Their experience with you, good or bad, has a good chance of being spread on social media and within personal groups. You should always provide your best work to develop a strong referral base and a list or long-term clients.

Struggling to start a law firm? Check out the Starting Your Own Law Firm Checklist.

by Business

Should Lawyers Buy .law Domains?

If you are considering a website or a blog to showcase your legal services and expertise, there are many different Top Level Domains (TLD) to choose from:

  • .com
  • .gov
  • .org
  • .law

This article will examine whether lawyers should buy .law domain and briefly review a few methods to succeed online.

What are Top Level Domains (TLD)?

Without going too in depth about the concept of domain names, here’s a simplified version of what domain names are.

Domain names are the important piece of information that provides a readable internet address of your website. The ending of the domain name is what is known as a Top Level Domain with the most common being .com, .org, and .net.

Overall, there are more than 1000 TLDs available.

Is There Any Significance In Having A .law Domain Name?

Having a TLD can be useful in marketing, search engines, and website optimization. When you consider the most common TLDs like .com, .edu, and .gov, these are recognizable, popular, and rank well courtesy of their authority.

They is some speculation that having these TLDs do not provide measurable proof that you will get ranked higher (such as with .edu and .gov domains).

Also, according to Matt Cutts, new TLDs, like .law, might not receive a boost in the search rankings. Your .law domain will not be treated much differently than other domain names already available.

“Sorry, but that’s just not true, and as an engineer in the search quality team at Google, I feel the need to debunk this misconception. Google has a lot of experience in returning relevant web pages, regardless of the top-level domain (TLD). Google will attempt to rank new TLDs appropriately, but I don’t expect a new TLD to get any kind of initial preference over .com, and I wouldn’t bet on that happening in the long-term either. If you want to register an entirely new TLD for other reasons, that’s your choice, but you shouldn’t register a TLD in the mistaken belief that you’ll get some sort of boost in search engine rankings.”

While Google may not rank a .law domain higher, from a personal point of view, there is significant value to be considered.

What Are The Benefits Of A .law Domain Name?

From a branding point of view, having a .law domain allows you to position yourself as a professional and a figure of authority.

Anyone who registers a new .law domain, must provide a phone number from the licensing of your agency or firm.

Having to go through this additional step during the registration process creates a trust factor for those searching for you.

Buying a .law domain name will provide an additional layer of credibility courtesy of the verification process required.

This is a summary of some the benefits you’ll receive when you buy a .law domain:

  • Brandable & Authority. Using this TLD allows you to create a strong and memorable brand. A .law domain can be descriptive and capture the core of your practice. When deciding on your domain name, consider using your own name, area of practice, or your target market.
    • Examples:law, NewYorkCity.law, StultzandBrinks.law, jones.law
  • Verified & Trusted. When you register your .law domain, you become verified and trusted by those seeking your services online. Only qualified lawyers can apply for this domain. Once approved, you will have a branded and trustworthy domain surrounding your legal profession.
  • Competitive & Professional. Your new .law domain will stand out amongst others. The .law is exclusive to lawyers and provides a distinct and official finish to your online presence.

If You Already Have Another Domain Name, Should You Transfer To A .law Domain?

As mentioned before, there may not be any considerable boost to your rankings in the search engines. If you already using a domain and it is working well, you may not want to transfer your website to the .law domain.

Consider .law as an investment in your practice but only if you don’t have a domain name already. When you transfer a website over to a new domain, you may lose traffic and potential clients.

Getting a new .law domain is an ideal choice for those starting a new website.

Aside From A .law Domain, How Can Lawyers Succeed Online?

A domain name is only one of many factors to consider when putting your law practice online.

One of the most critical areas of getting noticed and finding new clients comes from the content you provide.

Here’s a few things you may want to keep in mind:

  • Offer meaningful, relevant and original content. Most search engines approve of original content. However, they should be written in a way that’s natural and connects with your target audience.
  • Create backlinks on authority sites. When you have published quality content, try to get your site linked with .edu or .gov sites as these have authority. Read law firm SEO Tips here. Note: Never buy backlinks — you could be penalized.

As an authority on the web and a professional of law, you have a responsibility to provide quality content that is relevant and informative to your visitors.

This update from John Mueller on Google’s Webmaster Central makes it clear that content is crucial and the domain name is not given “artificial advantage in search.”

So, Should Lawyers Buy A .law Domain?

Getting a .law domain could be the strategic edge you need to have a competitive advantage online.

However, while a TLD like .law adds a professional touch your online service, providing good content that follows Google’s recommended practices will be much more powerful.

If you are preparing to settle on a .law domain name, remember to incorporate this into your website development:

  1. Publish high quality, original content on your site
  2. Provide relevant content to your potential clients and targeted audience
  3. Avoid SEO practices that could penalize your website (i.e. keyword stuffing, purchasing links, or other Google violations)

Achieving this will lead you to an authority site on the internet especially if you’re considering starting a blog.

by Business, Local Search, SEO, Ultimate Guides