How to Start Your Own Practice

1. How to Start Your Own Practice www.dinizululawgroup.com www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 Speaker Attorney Yao Dinizulu, Esq. Text DINIZULU to 22828 to join our e-mail list @dinizululawgroup @dinizululaw

2. 2 Why I’m Here • To give you insight on the practical and business side of practicing law • To be a resource for you in the future • To build a relationship with each and every one of you Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

3. 3 Resources Start Your Own Law Practice: Your Step-by-Step Guide To Success by Laura Valtorta How To Start & Build a Law Practice by Jay G. Foonberg Start Your Own Law Practice by William H. Hess Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

4. 4 Why Start A Practice? FREEDOM HELP MORE PEOPLE UNLIMITED EARNINGS CONTROL YOUR DESTINY Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

5. 5 What Law School Doesn’t Teach You… • How to successfully run a business • How to stand out and be a leader in your industry Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

6. 6 Did you know? 70-80% of law school grads in the U.S. pursue solo careers - ABA Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

7. 7 There are several different sides to owning a practice… • Management • Client Development • Practical • Business Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

8. 8 Business 1. BUSINESS PLAN -Expenses -Insurance -Compensation -Mentors -Partners • 2. Office • Home • Virtual • Shared • Own office 3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS -Corporate structure -Registration Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

9. 9 Elements of a good business plan • Executive Summary • Business Description • Market Strategies • Competitive Analysis • Design and • Development Plan • Operations and • Management Plans • Financial Components Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

10. 10 Some Things to Think About • Virtual Office • Finding Your Niche • To Partner or Not To Partner • Be Patient • Network, network, network Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

11. 11 Partnerships: Do I want/need a partner? • Be cautious! • 50% of all business partnerships fail, according to the Harvard Business Review. Why? Vague or overambitious expectations. Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

12. 12 How to succeed in a partnership • Benefit in a strategic way. • Understand and respect needs. • Know what’s on the table. Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

13. 13 Partnerships…red flags • One partner pushes its agenda so hard that it overrides the wishes and needs of other partners • Missing the goal of the partnership • Breakdowns in communication Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

14. 14 Choosing a partner… • Be coldly objective • Don’t duplicate yourself • Take your time • Share financial commitment • Institute legal safeguards • Do background checks • Assign roles and stick to them Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

15. 15 Benefits of a partnership • Capital • Flexibility • Shared responsibility • Decision making Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

16. 16 Management - Staff • Buffer between you and a client • Indoctrinate your values • Your staff is the first impression • Look successful, affordable Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

17. 17 Management - Staff • Make sure staff is trained correctly • Understand dress codes • Learn rules and policies • Exhibit appropriate behavior • Verse yourself in what can happen if they break those rules Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

18. 18 How to be a good boss • Leadership Qualities • Positive Attitude • Values Time • Tolerance • Knowledge • Communication • Taking Responsibility Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

19. 19 Client Development • The missing piece of the puzzle • The beginning and end to any firm Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

20. 20 Where to meet potential clients Inner circle -School -Church -Family -Friends Professional -Professional Organizations -PTA groups -Trade Organizations Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

21. 21 How Clients Choose • Turn Offs • Attorney is unconcerned • Turnaround time is slow • Not informed about case • Strategies and actions not explained • Fees not explained adequately Expertise Chemistry Value For Cost Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

22. 22 Practical Research -Cost -West Law I -Lexis -Library -ISBA Fastcart Clients -Source of client -Treatment of big and small -Being a resource Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920www.dinizululawgroup.com

23. 23 Understanding the process • Am I registered? • Docket management • Where is the courthouse? • How do I evaluate a case? Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920www.dinizululawgroup.com

24. 24 How do I evaluate a case? • Interview Client • Identify Legal Issues • Identify Statute of Limitations • Identify Areas of Practice Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

25. 25 Identify Clients • Observe Appearance • Story/presentation • Diligence prior to meeting with you • Nature of case – success of these types of cases • Resources you have to pursue it Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920www.dinizululawgroup.com

26. 26 What You Should Consider When Preparing a Complaint • Notice pleading vs. fact pleading • Research elements in cause of action in complaint • All appropriate defendants • Are proper legal entities available? • Elements of fraud? Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

27. 27 What is the statute of limitation for that defendant? • Dram Shop • Municipal Government • Personal Injury • Contract • Fraud Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920www.dinizululawgroup.com

28. 28 Did you serve timely? Discovery - Federal - 26(a)(1) – Initial disclosures - State - Request to produce - Request to admit - Interrogatory - Disclosure Service - 103(B) State - Federal - Federal Rule Civil Procedure Rule 4 Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

29. 29 Reviewing/Pulling Out Applicable Jury Instructions • Identify who needs to be disposed -Jury instructions – How can I defeat dispositive motions? • What information is needed from who? • Affirmation defense ends – cause of action Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

30. 30 Going to trial • Choosing a case theme • Selecting evidence to use • Outlining and creating a trial strategy • Witnesses • What to bring • Trial notebook • Preparing exhibits • Where to sit/stand in court Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com

31. 31 You Can Do It Lawyers have been starting successful solo and small law firms for more than 500 years. Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com312-384-1920www.dinizululawgroup.com

32. 32 Connect With Us! http://www.dinizululawgroup.com http://www.dlg-trucking.com www.facebook.com/dinizululawgroup @dinizululaw Dinizulu Law Group www.dlg-trucking.com 312-384-1920 www.dinizululawgroup.com