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Little Big FirmAdvantage
Ernest Svenson
Ernie SvensonBigLaw - 20 yrs
Solo Practice - 6 yrs
Ernie SvensonBigLaw - 20 yrs
Solo Practice - 6 yrsErnieTheAttorney.netPDFforLawyers.comPaperlessChase.com
@ErnieAttorneyTwitter
20 yrs at Traditional Law Firm
After Katrina: Solo Lawyer
I don’t work by myself
Use technology strategically
1985 1995 2005 2010
My Practice
Leverage information
Best result for clients
Lowest possible cost
Appear professional
Goals today
Why large was better
How shifted & why
How small can win
Review best tools
Road Map
Why large was better
Road Map
1.
BigLaw
Receptionist
Phone systems
Computers
Software
Package deliveryMetered mail
Document preparation
Collaboration
Online research
Package deliveryTrial graphics
Document assemblyParalegals
Secretaries
IT support
Letterhead StationeryOffice space
Time & billing
Word Processing
Expensive Office Space
Well-paid Receptionist
Complex PBX system
State-of-Art Copiers
Postal Meters & Fax
Fancy Stationery
Large library
BuildingDewey, Cheatum & Howe–Attorneys at large–
– Equipment
– Phones
– Files
– Books
Overhead
OverheadCollections $100,000
$50,000
Profitability
Why large was better
Road Map
How shifted & why
How shifted & why
Road Map
2.
A changing world
Informationprocessing
The Internet
Receptionist
Phone systems
Computers
Software
Package deliveryMetered mail
Document preparation
Collaboration
Online research
Package deliveryTrial graphics
Document assemblyParalegals
Secretaries
IT support
Letterhead StationeryOffice space
Time & billing
Word Processing
Dewey, Cheatum & Howe–Attorneys at large–
– Files
BuildingSmaller
Dewey, Cheatum & Howe–Attorneys at large–
The ‘Cloud’
Dewey & Howe–Attorneys at large–
.Dewey
Tiny Office
Home
Overhead
Why large was better
How shifted & why
Road Map
How small can win
How small can win
Road Map
3.
BigLaw lost 10,000 lawyer jobsin last three years
1,720
1,270
73,256
Twitter Account Followers
ReputationWork product & successful outcomes
Office address & phone number
Receptionist - answers your phone
Letterhead/stationery - your documents
Website - your online resume/contact info
Email address - [email protected]?
Important
Why large was better
How shifted & why
How small can win
Road Map
Review best tools
Review best tools
Road Map
4.
Office SpacePaperless lessens need for office space
Besides storage, what?
– dedicated work space (distraction free)
– conference room for mtgs & depos
– collaboration
– place to keep equipment
Co-workingProvides:
– dedicated work space (distraction free)
– conference rooms for mtgs & depos
– internet, phones & color printers
– collaboration opportunities
– TV displays in conference rooms
– month-to-month contract ($125)
ReceptionistVirtual receptionists
– Always available (no sick days)
– Intelligent handling of calls
– Well trained in phone etiquette
– Presents strong first impression
– Month-to-month plan ($219)
Set up fee ($95) - waived if ...
(Virtual assistants)
– Carefully interviewed (only 3% hired)
– Training: 6 weeks intense w/ online tools
– Handle any virtual task
- calendaring, setting appointments, calling about unpaid invoices, research, booking travel, etc.
– 10 hours/month ($197)
– 20 hours/month ($397)
.com
Word ProcessingSecretarial help
– Dictate using your phone
– Pay per word, usually about 1.5 cents
– Only pay when you use service
– Available 24 hours a day (on weekends)
– Your format; your templates
Dragon Dictate
– $100 or less; reliable (but req’s training)
DocumentsTypography for Lawyers
– Matthew Butterick
– Website: www.typographyforlawyers.com
– Book: $25 on Amazon
– Principles of design for legal documents
– How to create a proper caption
– Effective letterhead design
DocumentsTypography for Lawyers
– Matthew Butterick
– Website: www.typographyforlawyers.com
– Book: $25 on Amazon
– Principles of design for legal documents
– How to create a proper caption
– Effective letterhead design
WebsiteCommunication & Contact information
– Home page should be simple & direct
– Contact page important
– Have a picture of yourself
- Recent one
- Professional
$5/month
Rambo, Dirty Harry & Karate Kid
BigLaw Contact Page
Simpler Contact Page
Email addressProfessionalism v. Ethics
– Keep personal email separate from work
– Ethically okay to use [email protected]
– Professional? Probably not
– Personal domain (e.g. @svensonlaw.com)
– Not that expensive
– included with a basic website
Google AppsBusiness class service
– Custom domain(e.g. @svensonlaw.com)
– $50/user per year
– Centralized management
– Best spam filter
– Easy web access
– Guaranteed 99.9% uptime
– Email migration tools
PDFsDigital Paper (req’d by Fed Cts)
– learn to view & navigate
– how to manipulate (insert pages, rotate)
– how to process documents (bates-stamp, redact)
– PDFforLawyers.com
The “Cloud”
Cloud ServicesDropboxSugarSyncBox.netAmazon S3
$8.50/month
Cloud based BillingTwo choices for lawyers
Clio
– $49/atty & $25/staff
– Free trial period
Rocketmatter
– $59/atty or $19 if 20+ users
– Free trial period
Office
Receptionist
Email, website
Web-fax
Cloud sync/backup
Web-billing
Video conferencing
$125
$219
$5
$9
$8
$49
$49
Monthly Cost of my “Little Big Firm”
Total Monthly Cost?
$464+ time
AssumeRevenue / yr
Costs / yr$100,000
Cost % = .08
$8,000
8%
Overhead
Small firm
\
60%Large firm
Okay, so....
Small Tech Strategy+ +
= Advantage
1. Review what’s possible
2. Pick one thing to implement
3. Refine & improve / training
4. Go back to step #1
Where to start?
