If you’ve trained as a lawyer, there are a different opportunities to find work. You can join an existing law firm or practice, or you can work with a large corporation and focus on corporate law. But many people want to open up their own law firm.
The legal industry is difficult to break into. Even after your training and education, it can be difficult to stand out from other law firms, especially if you’re just starting out. So, here are some things to consider to become more successful.
Pick Your Specialization
If your dream is to run your own law firm, you should consider your options before you even finish your training. Law school can vary depending on the type of law you want to pursue. The legal industry is massive and complicated, so it’s necessary to specialize in a particular area of law early on. You can’t be a legal jack of all trades if you want to succeed.
During your training, look into some of the different types of lawyer you could become. This will determine the clients you speak to, whether or not you end up in courtrooms, and the types of cases you have.
Some lawyers are in roles where they only offer consulting services, making sure that corporations and businesses don’t get into issues with the law. Or you could become a lawyer that handles legal paperwork. Or you could fight cases in court.
Often, finding a niche is the most effective way to get ahead. Yes, you’re reducing your potential client base, but you’re also reducing your competition.
Use Software to Get Ahead
Legal work involves an incredible amount of paperwork. While you need to know the law, you also need to be able to sort through a lot of data and, in some cases, find it in the first place. The more information you have, the more solid a case you’re able to build.
However, there are ways to reduce the amount of legwork you need to do, saving time and reducing the chances of missing something crucial.
By using an eDiscovery platform, you can find, sort, organize, and access all the information you need in one convenient location. This allows you to work more efficiently and more accurately.
Building Relationships
Even if you’re not the type of lawyer who has to negotiate with people or try to get a jury on your side, you still need to be able to build relationships in order to get ahead. This is true of any business, but a service-based business like running a legal firm requires great communication skills so that you can win over clients and build a good relationship with them.
This all starts with the all-important first impression. Always make sure that you come across as professional as possible. Depending on the client, you may need to be more friendly and less formal, but it’s always important to act competent and trustworthy. People remember how you make them feel.
