How to Start and Build a Law Practice, Fifth Edition (Career Series / American Bar Association)

Learn from a practicing lawyer who provides you with real answers, for real practices, gained from real experiences. This classic ABA bestseller has been used by tens of thousands of lawyers as the comprehensive guide to planning, launching, and growing a successful practice. It's packed with over 600 pages of guidance on identifying the right location, finding clients, setting fees, managing your office, maintaining an ethical and responsible practice, maximizing available resources, upholding your standards, and much more. If you're committed to starting your own practice, this book will give you the expert advice you need to make it succeed.

The book is organized into short, easy-to-read chapters and they deal with all the specific challenges you undoubtedly will encounter when you open your office. And the answers you'll get are realistic, practical, and based on real-life experience. Even if you already have an established practice, you are sure to find information that will help you compete and succeed. You'll find a wealth of tips that can improve your practice once it is up and running, as well as dozens of time-saving templates and checklists. In addition, there is all-new material for this edition, covering areas including:

• E-mail and the Internet
• Law firm mergers and dissolutions
• Student loans
• Opportunities created by an aging population
• Nonlawyer consultants
• The globalization of legal practice

This book is guaranteed to help you successfully launch your practice, run it at maximum efficiency, and avoid potential pitfalls along the way. You'll get basic, practical advice given in Foonberg's inimitable down-to-earth style - and answers to down-to-earth questions including:

• Where is the ideal place to open my office?
• How much cash do I need to start?
• How can I get cash up front to reduce bad debts?
• Should I charge for the first consultation?
• How do I spot the client who won't pay?
• What kinds of equipment will I need - at a minimum - to start out?
• What are the most effective ways of getting clients?

More than 100,000 lawyers have turned to Jay Foonberg for the secrets to running a successful law firm; now you can, too, with the acclaimed fifth edition.

Jay Foonberg, Foonberglaw.com, Beverly Hills, CA Mr. Foonberg has successfully practiced Business Law, Business Litigation, Estate and Probate Litigation, Legal Ethics and Aviation Law." Mr. Foonberg has served in the ABA House of Delegates: He is on the Advisory Council for the ABA Commission on Evaluation of the Rules of Professional Conduct and was a founder of the ABA Law Practice Management Section. His book has been their best-seller every year since 1977. Mr. Foonberg is the author of three other important books, all available from the ABA: How to Get and Keep Good Clients , (3rd edition); Finding the Right Lawyer; and The ABA Guide to Lawyer Trust Accounts. A much sought after speaker, Mr. Foonberg has led seminars and taught client relations, malpractice prevention, ethics and client development in every one of the 50 states and as far afield as Europe, South America and Asia in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Mr. Foonberg earned his JD from UCLA Law School and has received CLE's highest honor, the prestigious Harrison Tweed Award. He lives and practices in Beverly Hills, California. 0909