Business

Three Tips To Help Run A Successful Law Firm

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2022

You may have decided to start your law firm because you wanted more control over your career and future. Or maybe you were tired of working for someone else. As a lawyer, you work hard every day to provide the best possible service to your clients, but it can be challenging to juggle everything on your cases while running a business. In this article, we will provide some tips to help you run a successful law firm.

1. Have a clear vision and mission

When starting a firm, you’ll need to have a clear vision and mission for what you want your business to achieve. Your vision is your long-term goal for the firm, while your mission is the specific purpose or objective that your law firm will work towards. When you have a clear vision and mission, it will be easier to make decisions about your firm’s day-to-day operations and how you want to grow in the future. For inspiration, research other firms, such as mikeglaw.com.

Define your purpose

Write a mission statement and ensure everyone in your firm knows it. It should be specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant. Keep it short and to the point, so it’s easy to remember and live by.

Set long-term and short-term goals

It’s important to have long-term and short-term goals for your law firm. Your long-term goal might be to become the leading law firm in your city, while your short-term goal could be to grow your client base by 10% in the next year. By setting specific goals, you can track your progress and ensure that you’re on track to achieve your vision.

Create a plan of action

Once you have your vision and goals in place, it’s time to create a plan of action. This will help you determine what steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Your plan of action should be specific, realistic, and achievable. It should also be reviewed and updated regularly.

Stay focused and motivated

It can be easy to get sidetracked when you’re running your own law firm. There will always be new cases to work on and new clients to meet. But it’s important to stay focused on your vision and mission. Keep a positive attitude and remember why you decided to start in the first place to stay motivated when things get tough.

2, Establish core values to guide your decisions

One of the most important things you can do to run a successful law firm is to establish core values. These guiding principles will help you make decisions about your firm and how you want to operate. Setting core values is important because it will help you stay consistent in your actions and decisions, no matter the situation.

Your values don’t have to be sugar-coated to be successful. For example, on MikeGLaw.com, the website highlights their experience over coddling by stating, “I pledge to provide you with excellent representation throughout your case, but my focus is not on hand-holding.”

3. Create a positive work environment

A positive work environment is vital for any business. When lawyers and staff are happy and feel supported, they are more productive and efficient. They are also more likely to stay with the firm for a longer time.

Hire the right people

Create a positive work environment by hiring the right people. When recruiting lawyers and staff, look for individuals who fit your firm’s culture and values. They should also be competent and capable in their roles.

Provide training and development opportunities

Providing training and development opportunities for your lawyers and staff will help them improve their skills and knowledge and feel more confident in their roles. It will also show them that you are invested in their development.

Encourage open communication

Lawyers and staff should feel comfortable communicating with each other and with you. Encourage open communication by being approachable and available and creating an environment where people feel like they can speak up.

Give employees job autonomy

When people feel they have control over their work, they are more engaged and motivated. Job autonomy also allows people to use their skills and knowledge to the fullest extent.

Show appreciation for a job well done

Lastly, show appreciation for a job well done. Something as simple as saying “thank you” or sending a handwritten note shows your employees that you value their hard work and contribution to the firm.

Final Thoughts

Running a successful law firm takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of planning. But achieving your goals is possible if you have a clear vision, establish core values, create a positive work environment, and market your firm effectively.

Business

From Contracts to Counsel: Your Essential Guide to Hiring a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Published

2 weeks ago

March 31, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Like many people, you’ll come across the term probate after a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, passes away. So, what is probate, and why do you need an attorney for it? As defined in Forbes, probate is a legal process that occurs after death. It entails transferring the assets of the decedent (the person who passed) to beneficiaries named in their last will.

With that in mind, having a probate lawyer by your side is essential. The last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexities of settling a loved one’s estate while grieving. A probate lawyer oversees the validation of the deceased’s will and the fair distribution of assets among family members. One challenge lies in finding a top-quality probate lawyer.

In this guide to hiring a probate attorney in Chicago, we’ll discuss the tips to identify the right legal professional for probate proceedings.

Understand the Responsibilities of a Probate Lawyer

It’s difficult to hire a talented probate lawyer when you don’t know what they do: Start by understanding the roles they play.

When you work with a Chicago probate lawyer, some tasks they might do include:

Act as an estate executor or administrator
Collect proceeds from the life insurance policies of the deceased
Identify and secure the decedent’s assets
Get an appraisal for the deceased’s estate
Pay debts and resolve estate tax issues
Prepare and file documents required in probate court
Transfer assets to rightful heirs
Represent you in litigation proceedings if someone challenges or contests the will

A probate lawyer could also help you and your family navigate state inheritance laws if a loved one dies without a valid will. That way, you can avoid unnecessary taxes or other ramifications of not creating a will, such as losing ownership rights of the deceased’s business or financial support.

Search for Lawyers Online and Offline

You’re probably thinking, where do I find the best lawyer to hire? You could seek referrals from friends or colleagues. Friends who worked with probate attorneys before might provide important details, such as how the lawyers communicate and handle the probate process.

Alternatively, do a simple online search using the terms “probate lawyer near me” or “probate attorney in Chicago.” Go through various websites or online directories and write names of lawyers with positive ratings and customer testimonials. Then, contact the potential lawyers to set up free consultations. Note that not all legal professionals offer free consultations, so make sure to ask before setting a time in your calendar.

Ask the Right Questions

A free consultation provides opportunities to ask questions to better understand if the lawyers in question have the qualifications to handle your probate case.

Four questions you might ask attorneys during the initial meeting may include:

Do You Have Experience in Probate Law?

When evaluating lawyers, prioritize experience. An experienced probate lawyer is aware of common pitfalls that can result in the probate petition being postponed or dropped by a judge. To feel more comfortable about an attorney’s expertise, ask them if they’ve handled probate cases similar to yours before.

For example, let’s say the deceased owned a substantial estate or had complicated assets like royalties and mineral stocks. Working with an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases like that could save you time and money in the long run.

What Do Other Clients Say About You?

Experience alone doesn’t make a probate lawyer perfect for your case. Look for someone with an outstanding reputation. These reviews likely live on Google next to their business profile or are featured on their website. If you can’t find any endorsements, ask for testimonials written by past clients.

One point to focus on is what reviewers say about the lawyer’s efficiency and speed. Beyond that, does the lawyer offer expert guidance, conflict mitigation, and proper asset management during probate?

A probate attorney in Chicago, IL, should be an efficient expert in asset preservation. This can be crucial to helping avoid hefty taxes and excessive debt claims. Additionally, if the lawyer receives positive feedback on conflict mitigation, it suggests they have experience in resolving or mitigating family conflicts that tend to stall the probate process.

How Long Does Probate Last?

One way to test a probate lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them, “How long does probate last?” While the numbers vary, probate can last for a few months to over a year in many states, including Chicago. When highlighting factors that affect the duration of probate, your counsel might mention things like estate size, family disputes, debt and taxes, absence of a will, and state laws.

A knowledgeable lawyer can explain clearly why your probate case could last a few months or even years. A lawyer that makes too brazen or hard-set of promises might not be the most honest.

How Do You Want Us To Communicate?

There’s no hard rule on how you and your probate attorney communicate. You can talk via text messages, email, video calls, or phone calls. More importantly, check that the attorney communicates in simple language to help you understand your case.

In fact, one essential of a lawyer’s dos and don’ts to gaining clients’ trust is to avoid making clients feel clueless. If a potential lawyer uses complex legal terms or avoids communicating directly, search for probate services elsewhere.

Conclusion: Finding a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Reviewing the will of a loved one after their death and ensuring fair distribution of their assets often involves complex legal issues. For this reason, consider hiring an attorney who specializes in probate law.

To maximize your chances of finding the right probate lawyer, familiarize yourself with their responsibilities. Next, search online for lawyers within your state or ask for recommendations from people you trust. Then, interview prospects to help ensure they possess experience, a remarkable reputation, communication skills, and knowledge of probate law.

Settling the affairs of a loved one who has passed on can be an overwhelming time. A probate attorney can help lift some of the pressure off your shoulders as you focus on grieving and healing.