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    Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student’S Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm
    Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student’S Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm
    Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student’S Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm
    Ebook174 pages2 hours

    Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student’S Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm

    By Spencer Marc Aronfeld

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    About this ebook

    In "Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student's Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm" Spencer Aronfeld writes a personal and revealing account on how to start your own law firm.

    Whether you are in law school, recently graduated or a practicing attorney thinking of establishing your own law firm, this book provides a step-by-step road map. Aronfeld started his own law practice upon graduation from law school. He provides practical advice that will enable anyone with a deep passion to practice law to become the lawyer that they always wanted to be.

    Here is what lawyers are saying: "Whether you have ever considered starting your own firm or simply want to improve your practice at your existing firm (whether big or small), I urge you to purchase the book Make It Your Own Law Firm by Spencer Aronfeld, a trial attorney in Miami, Florida. I recommend you buy it not so much for the helpful advice he gives on how to develop your practice (and theres plenty of that) but more for the writing. What Spencer does, which few non-fiction writers can do, is to move you emotionally. He tells stories and puts you in the middle of them with him and makes you feel what he did. It is a unique and valuable gift for a lawyer, because ultimately we are story-tellers and we are tasked not only to affect the jurors minds but also to touch their hearts. Spencers writing style demonstrates he is the consummate story-teller and his diction and cadence and style are worth emulating. So, buy the book. Yes, it has great practice tips. But buy it because you will see what great writing is about. Clear, direct, moving and effective. Keep writing Spencer." Frank Ramos, Esquire
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAuthorHouse
    Release dateJan 17, 2011
    ISBN9781456733131
    Make It Your Own Law Firm: The Ultimate Law Student’S Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm
    Author

    Spencer Marc Aronfeld

    Spencer Aronfeld has enjoyed powerful courtroom victories over Walt Disney World, Wild Oats, P.A.C. Construction, Fedan Tire, and Todel Apartments and has gained international recognition as a lawyer for the people. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Aronfeld graduated cum laude from the University Of Miami School Of Law in 1991. Upon graduation, he founded his own firm, in Coral Gables, Florida. He has dedicated his life to representing individuals against corporate giants, such as the Carnival Corporation, Florida Marlins, Bayside Marketplace, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami-Dade County, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., State Farm Insurance Company, United Automobile Insurance Company, Baptist Hospitals, South Miami Hospital and International Airplane Leasing. Aronfeld earned international recognition after his first jury trial, when an Orlando, Florida jury awarded his Uruguayan clients a $100,000.00 verdict against Walt Disney World. Before trial, Disney had offered his clients only $1,200.00. That verdict remains one of the largest in a personal injury case against the Mouse and his legal battle was recounted in the book, "Disney, the Mouse Betrayed." Aronfeld graduated from the Trial Lawyer College, a non-profit institution founded and directed by legendary trial lawyer, Gerry Spence in Dubois, Wyoming. Lawyers are admitted by invitation only and learn how to try cases on behalf of the people. Aronfeld has since returned as part of the faculty and has joined Spence on several of his nationwide book tours. Aronfeld has hosted his own weekly radio talk and lectures frequently around the country. He has appeared on the NBC's Today Show, Court TV, Primer Impacto, Montel, Tyra, Dateline NBC, Americas Most Wanted, The Insider, CNN and HLN. Aronfeld is a Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by both the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Board Certification was established in 1982 by the Supreme Court of Florida. It provides Clients with the assurance in the selection of legal counsel. A lawyer who is Board Certified by The Florida Bar has demonstrated ability and experience in their field of practice and has earned a reputation for professionalism with the legal Community. Furthermore, a lawyer who is Board Certified by The Florida Bar exhibits outstanding character and ethics. Likewise, Spencer Aronfeld is an active member of The Florida Bar and has substantial experience in his area of specialty: Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law. Since 2007 has been recognized as one of Floridas Super Lawyers and one of the "20 Most Intriguing Floridians" by Florida Magazine. In addition to the Florida Bar, he is admitted to practice in Federal Court, the District of Colombia and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of American Justice Association, Miami-Dade Justice Association, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and an Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association. His firm is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Aronfeld lectures at the prestigious Trial Lawyers College, founded by legendary lawyer Gerry Spence and open by invitation only; he also tours with Mr. Spence. He is licensed to practice in Florida and the District of Columbia, and was admitted to both the Federal District Court Practice (1992) and the Federal Trial Bar of the US District Court (1993). He has chaired numerous seminars for the Florida Justice Association (Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers) and spoken at the annual convention of the American Association of Justice (Association of Trial Lawyers of America) in San Francisco and Maui. Aronfeld has written numerous featured articles for the American Association for Justice's Trial Magazine as well as other national legal publications which can be purchased on Amazon. In 2010, in response to the earthquake in Haiti, Aronfeld founded Lawyers to the Rescue, a not for profit humanitarian initiative to provide legal assistance and civil rights activism for those in need. In 2010 Aronfeld's first book was published, "Sara Rose, Kid Lawyer." "Sara Rose, Kid Lawyer" is a fully illustrated children's book that tells the story of a tenacious fourth grade girl who likes to argue. He wrote the book to inspire young children and girls in particular to consider the legal profession. A portion of the proceeds of this book, go to support Lawyers to the Rescue. The book can be purchased on Sara Rose Kid Lawyer. Aronfeld is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. In 2011, Aronfeld published his second book: "Make It Your Own, the Ultimate Law Student's Guide to Starting Your Own Law Firm." The book launched at Florida International University College of Law. A reading and signing of the book was held at the University of Miami School of Law In 2011 Aronfeld coordinated the Student Trial Advocacy Competition for the American Association for Justice. The event was held at the University of Miami School of Law March 4-6, 2011. Students from 8 law schools participated in the event. Despite his national visibility, Aronfeld is deeply tied to the Miami and South Florida.

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    • 5/5
      It was a detailed account on how to grow and develop a sustainable firm. Invaluable information. Definitely reading again.
    • 2/5
      This book reeks of sexism. The target audience are clearly male lawyers and assistants are evidently female. Though it provides a great checklist to starting your own practice, it is ridiculously sexist.

    Book preview

    Make It Your Own Law Firm - Spencer Marc Aronfeld

    Make It

    Your Own

    Law Firm

    The Ultimate Law Student’s Guide to Owning, Managing, and Marketing Your Own Successful Law Firm

    Spencer Marc Aronfeld

    Attorney at Law

    Foreword by Morris Dees, Founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center

    missing image file

    AuthorHouse™

    1663 Liberty Drive

    Bloomington, IN 47403

    www.authorhouse.com

    Phone: 1-800-839-8640

    Photographer: Pascal Depuhl http://www.depuhl.com

    Stylist, Alex Odio, Artigiano Classic Mens Fashion, http://www.artigianomens.com

    Public Relations guru, Charles Jones of CJones & Associates PR.

    © 2011 Spencer Marc Aronfeld. All rights reserved.

    No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

    First published by AuthorHouse 3/11/2011

    ISBN: 978-1-4567-3314-8 (sc)

    ISBN: 978-1-4567-3312-4 (dj)

    ISBN: 978-1-4567-3313-1 (e)

    Library of Congress Control Number: 2011900800

    Printed in the United States of America

    Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

    Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

    Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

    Preface

    This book is for everyone who has ever dreamed of being a lawyer and possesses the passion to represent those who cannot speak for themselves. It is especially intended to offer a path to aspiring lawyers who sacrificed so much and worked so hard to attend and then graduate from law school, passing the Bar only to find no viable opportunity to practice law.

    It is my sincere hope that no other law school graduates will ever be faced with the prospect of abandoning their destiny simply because of not having a job offer or accepting a position that they hate because they have no other choice. I hope that this book creates more opportunities for passionate lawyers to start their own law firms, resulting in greater access to legal representation to those members of our community in need.

    Contents

    Preface

    Foreword

    Why I Wrote This Book

    About Me

    1 Solo Practice: Do I Have the Right Stuff?

    2 Leaving the Nest: Flying Solo from an Existing Job

    3 Solo with Someone Else: Should You Have a Partner?

    4 Now What? How, Where, and When Do I Start?

    5 Staff: Hiring, Firing, When, Where, and How

    6 The Office

    7 Marketing: How to Get and Keep Clients

    8 When Will I Know if I Have Made It?

    9 Money and Things

    10 A Word about Staying Ethical

    11 Staying Healthy

    12 Quitting

    13 Social Networking

    14 Every Lawyer Needs a Mentor

    15 Final Thoughts and One More Golden Rule

    Appendix: Sample Partnership Agreement

    Foreword

    I had the pleasure of meeting Spencer on a hot August morning in 1997 at Gerry Spence’s ranch in Wyoming. Spencer, along with 49 other trial lawyers, was sweating in Spence’s barn-turned mock trial court room, trying to learn how to be better lawyers. Spencer and I immediately bonded and when I learned that he started his own firm—from scratch right out of law school and with no formal training—I was even more impressed.

    Over the years, Spencer and I stayed in touch. When he told me about this book and asked me to write the foreword, I was flattered and proud. I think it this is an important book because it will provide a road map for many young lawyers and recent law school graduates on how to create their own law firms.

    Many bright and talented lawyers never have an opportunity to practice law due to an unfriendly job market. Spencer openly and honestly tells how he did it and gives hope and empowerment to a whole new generation of lawyers.

    I told Spencer, that I wish I had had a copy of this book when I first started practicing law. Although I had enjoyed a successful business career before law school, this book gives a logical step-by-step approach without any candy coating.

    Morris Dees

    Founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center

    Montgomery, Alabama

    Acknowledgments

    My solo flight would not have been possible without the many, many shoulders I have stood upon and continue to stand on every day. It is with most sincere gratitude to all those who supported me that I dedicate this, my first book.

    To my grandfather, Samuel Aronfeld, whom I have never met and who passed away long before I was born, but who serves as the honorary founding partner of my firm and whose portrait hangs in my office. To the memory of his wife, my grandmother, Rose Dorothy Aronfeld, who loved me immeasurably. To my father, Norwin Aronfeld, who convinced me to go to law school and who worked hard and sacrificed much in his own life to pay for my education. To my mother and biggest fan, Candace Elias Grossman, who infuses me with the ability to care about people other than myself. In memory of her late husband, Harold Stanley Grossman, who proudly sat through days of my trials and kept me company on the long drives home after many of my losses. To my beautiful wife, Dina, and our children, Sara Rose and Nory, who have somehow tolerated my exhaustion and crankiness when I am home and my absence when I am on the road. To the Flying Mendez Brothers, Ignacio and Armando; my life’s best friend, Donald Elliot Baker; the late Myles J. Tralins, Esquire, who fired me and told me to go it alone; and the late, great Jon H. Daughtery, one of my first clients, a dear friend and teacher, and the best lawyer to ever practice without a license; Marco Rojas, for referring me the Disney case that changed my life; Marc Michelson, Esquire, who taught me so much; Samy Chong, who taught me to accept myself. To the brilliant, late Patrice Talisman, Esquire, for without her love and counsel, I would most certainly be homeless or working at Starbucks. To Kenneth J. Bush, Esquire, who has gently taught me and guided me through the minefield of practicing law by answering my questions both day and night. Kenny has never asked me for anything in exchange for the thousands of hours he has given to sculpt me into the lawyer that I am today.

    Thank you to all the people who have worked with me in the office over the years, especially those who are there now and have allowed me the time to write this book. In particular each word that you read, every comma, period and hyphen was lovingly edited by my talented friend and editor, Bruce E. Shemrock, Esquire.

    I also must thank each and every client who has trusted me, for better or worse, to be his or her voice.

    And, lastly and perhaps most significantly, to the great Gerry L. Spence, who is not just the best lawyer in history, but a wonderful teacher and friend. It is in his honor and in honor of all those who have helped me that I feel compelled to pass on whatever knowledge I have acquired to the next generation.

    Why I Wrote This Book

    I have owned and operated my own law firm from the day I was sworn in as a lawyer. Not because I wanted to or because it was my dream, but because even though I graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, in 1991, I simply could not get an interview, much less a job.

    Since 1991, I have been my own boss, handling my own cases, employees, and business. I currently have an associate and five employees. I have handled cases in many states, am board certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial,[1] and my firm is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Board certification recognizes attorneys who have special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice.

    In this book, I will share with you a clear recipe for how you too can start your own law firm right out of law school. Hopefully, you will find having your own law practice as rewarding and fulfilling as I have. And remember, when it’s your firm, you cannot be fired or laid off.

    About Me

    So that you do not think I am special or any different from you, let me share a little about how I ended up where I am. I went to law school in large part because my father, whose father was a lawyer, was convinced that it would not only be a great education for me, but it would also provide the foundation for an excellent career. I believe that my dad never actually envisioned that I would be a practicing lawyer but rather a businessman who had a law license.

    I was convinced that I was intellectually unqualified for law school, having been intimidated as an undergraduate by the law students on campus. They carried around such big books and always seemed so stressed out and serious. I would see them scurrying to the library after inhaling dinner in the cafeteria, while I hung around for hours with nothing to do but go back to my dorm room and sleep.

    The LSAT was no picnic for me, either. My pretests seem to be a constant negative predictor that I was not smart enough to be a law student, much less a lawyer. Studying for the multiple-choice test of reading comprehension and logic further convinced me that my dad had no idea what he was talking about. My median-level score reaffirmed this by telling me that I was just average and was going to be an average law student at an average law school and would become, at best, an average lawyer. How wrong they all were.

    I found out that I did not just like law school—I loved it. I was the rare law student who really enjoyed the work. Having suffered horribly in all math, statistics, and accounting classes I had taken, I enjoyed the reading, writing, and thinking that law school involved. I also liked the debating; I enjoyed thinking on my feet and was not afraid to raise my hand and challenge the professors. I thought that for the first—and perhaps only—time in my life, my father was actually right about me.

    What surprised me was that after all my success in law school and all of the hard work, I was completely unprepared to practice law as a lawyer. I literally—don’t laugh—had no idea where the courthouse was.

    I recall one day asking a beloved professor of mine, Alan Swan (who, I am sad to say, died in a car accident in June 2009), what kind of law I should practice. He asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I thought I would like to help hurt people fight the big companies responsible for their injuries. This was based upon my first-year moot court fact pattern, in which a man who had contracted AIDS had sued a condom company for making a defective condom. (That had been my first personal injury case.) Professor Swan laughed in a deep, baritone voice and said that would make me an ambulance chaser. I had never heard that expression before, but I could tell by the tone of his voice that it must be the lowest species in the lawyer animal kingdom.

    As a first-year law student, getting any job, much less a paying job, in the legal field was saved for those precious few who were being groomed by large, fancy law firms to be associates and those with family connections. I had neither.

    I finally found a position as a voluntary (unpaid) intern at the Third District Court of Appeal. Even that position was not easy to get and required two interviews and some begging. It was tantamount to spending the summer in the law library of a prison. I was all alone, out in the middle of nowhere off the Florida Turnpike, and I hated it.

    These were the only summers in my life that I spent hoping they would end so that school would resume. But at least I had experience that I could put on my resume, although I figured it would ultimately impress few of the people who ever interviewed me for jobs (if anyone). My summer experience clerking did nothing to prepare me to ultimately start my own law firm.

    My second summer of law school was the complete opposite from that of my best friend, Donald. The law firms in New York that wanted Donald to come and be a summer associate with them wined, dined, and romanced him like he was a supermodel and they were millionaires. They sent plane tickets and limousines and put him up at five-star hotels. I spent my time signing up for on-campus interviews, but I was rarely chosen for them. I

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