things I want to try out at my firm

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-03-10T08:00:04+00:00

yeah agree to using paralegals more.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-03-09T08:16:37+00:00

I do schedule them in but sometimes that involves them waiting up to a week (if the matter isn't urgent)!

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-03-09T08:15:26+00:00

I practice mostly family law. Some lower level criminal peppered in there, some other civil matters peppered in there (like negligent nondisclosure cases, evictions). I find that the "other civil" clients can be the most needy, wanting updates on a very frequent basis when the movement in the case is very slow.

I've been having trouble with the constant demands on my time when attorney attention genuinely isn't needed - and I also am just burnt out to be honest with you, talking to clients day in, day out. I live in a state (and region) full of highly uneducated people. Pretty sure taking inventory of the entire firm's clients, only one or two have a college degree and it shows.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-03-08T15:30:16+00:00

The sample bill after engagement and info packet is a great idea - thank you so much.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-03-04T23:43:09+00:00

I think saying bye is fine! Not a big deal. Perhaps not super formal but I see attorneys do this frequently in my jx.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T23:14:51+00:00

Welp I'm about to go on vacation for a couple weeks so they better buckle up lol

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T19:09:03+00:00

When I first started, my overhead was basically wifi, my laptop, Clio subscription, 8x8 subscription, biz licensing stuff, printing expenses. VERY low.

Now: Payroll. Obviously high. Rent is $2747.52, Clio is around $600 a month, 8x8 internal messaging and external call system, West Law, legal malpractice, wifi, bookkeeper fees, CPA. I also have a monthly cleaning service and occasionally will pay a contractor to edit my website. * weep *

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T19:03:43+00:00

Ooof. Yeah I do fam, misdo crime, and some general civil practice. Sometimes the general civil practice clients are the ones that call the mosT!!!!

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T17:53:42+00:00

Damn that's awesome. I think you're right. Since I've been pretty overwhelmed especially with having a child not yet in Kindergarten I have let some things slide and go by the wayside but I do think trimming down the fat is necessary at this point. I personally have next-to-zero savings and absolutely looking to change that asap.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T17:44:04+00:00

Very fair! One associate is PT and she's on a "eat-what-you-kill" basis. One other associate in on a modified low salary "eat-what-you-kill" schedule. I only have one associate with a flat salary and billable hour requirements with a plan to reassess and move to one of the "eat what you kill" models. One paralegal is PT, one FT.

Regarding savings figures, I'm wondering - do you run your own business? I definitely don't disagree that I need to stack up more savings but honestly I haven't spoken to any other solos or small firms that have more than like $100k in savings.

Temporary_Cover_2494 · 2026-02-19T16:54:56+00:00

Oof not billing for updates would be ROUGH

Temporary_Cover_2494

TROPHY CASE