Archive for May, 2011

8 Tips to Help You Find a DUI Lawyer That’s Right For You

May 30th, 2011

Finding a lawyer for your DUI can be the most integral part of accomplishing the goals in your case. There is a lot of information out there, and sifting through it to find the right DUI attorney is a daunting task. Here are some helpful tips to help you find a DUI lawyer that’s right for you.

Be Sure the Lawyer Specializes in OWI / DWI/ DUI Law

This may seem like a simple step, but it’s actually quite important, and not as easy as you might think. A lawyer who says “I handle DUI’s” may not have the level of knowledge you really want. Ask what percentage of a lawyer’s case load is DUI’s. How long have they been practicing DUI law? Do they regularly attend seminars to keep up to date on ever-changing drunk driving laws? Are they up to date on all current DUI state laws? Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about your case and how it will impact you. If the attorney is unwilling to give you specific answers about how the OWI will affect you, they likely do not practice enough drunk driving defense.

Be Sure the DUI Attorney Practices in Your Area

As a practicing Wisconsin DUI attorney well versed in Wisconsin DUI law, I’ve seen firsthand how knowing the players on the field can be just as important as knowing the rules of the game. Knowing the particular judges, and how they run their courtroom, while it won’t change the law, can increase your chances for a positive outcome. Knowing the prosecutors, on the other hand, is an invaluable resource. Check to see if the DUI attorney you are considering knows the prosecutor’s names, and if he has worked with them in the past. If not, ask what the attorney plans on doing to learn about them before stepping foot in the Courtroom.

From time to time, I get retained on cases outside my general geographic region in Northeast Wisconsin. Knowing that I am a very experienced Wisconsin DUI attorney and very familiar with Wisconsin DUI laws, we’ve had clients get in trouble out-of-town but want a lawyer from their area to work with, or clients from all areas of Wisconsin that are aware of our reputation as a Wisconsin DUI attorney and are willing to pay to have excellent, aggressive representation. Some clients are concerned of the ‘ol boys network’ and want a specific DUI attorney from outside their geographic area.

Bottom line: if your DUI lawyer is not familiar with your judge and your prosecutor, make sure he or she has a plan to get information about them before they ever step foot in that courtroom.

Beware, sometimes a prosecutor knowing your attorney can be a negative. If your attorney does not challenge OWI’s or DUI’s aggressively, the prosecutor will know that fact and may be less willing to give your attorney the best deal possible. If the attorney has a reputation for taking a plea deal and not going to trial, it is unlikely the prosecutor will give an offer that contemplates the case going to trial.

Be Sure the Lawyer is Current on DUI Law

DUI law is the most dynamic and complex area of litigation in the criminal law. In Wisconsin, Wisconsin DUI laws change frequently. The legislature makes changes to OWI/DUI laws nearly every year, and in some instances, the law, as interpreted by the Court can change the landscape in a matter of a day. Be sure your DUI lawyer stays up to date on these issues. They involve a significant amount of scientific and physiological evidence. Do they know the terms “retrograde extrapolation”, “Hinz chart”, “gas chromatograph” or “Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus”? If they don’t, they do not have enough experience with defending OWI’s

Ask about professional memberships such as the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, or the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Ask if they keep their training current by attending Continuing Legal Education seminars on DUI / OWI. When did they last attend? Ask if they are members of any DUI/OWI listservs to keep them appraised of quick changes in the law. You want a well-informed DUI lawyer.

Trial Experience

Does the attorney have any experience taking drunk driving cases to trial? How many times? What were the outcomes? Remember, no two cases are the same, so even if they have taken cases to trial and have won, that does not guarantee your case will win at trial too. But, if your OWI/DUI attorney has never taken a case to trial, do you really think the prosecutor is going to give you their best deal? I seriously doubt it. Your OWI/DUI attorney should have trial experience with OWI and DUI cases.

Discuss Fees

Have an honest discussion about the fees your attorney charges. Do they offer flat fee arrangements or do they bill an hourly fee? Can you choose the fee arrangement? What other costs (postage, copy costs, telephone charges, etc) do they charge.

NEVER choose an attorney based solely on their cost. You don’t choose the cheapest doctor, do you? While price is likely a consideration, do not make it the determining factor. If you lose your job, spend an extra thirty days in jail or lose your ability to drive for more than a year, have you really saved any money by choosing the cheapest attorney?

Has the DUI Lawyer ever been reprimanded, suspended, or dis-barred?

Unfortunately, there are those in the legal profession who have had difficulty following the rules of professional conduct. Ask the DUI attorney you are considering retaining if he or she has ever been disciplined by the ethics board governing their state’s attorneys. For example, In Wisconsin, you can contact the legal ethics board that governs Wisconsin attorneys. Don’t be afraid to Google the attorney’s name or law firm to see if there is any negative information about their background or positive or negative comments from previous clients.

Get a Referral

If you know someone who has had an OWI in their past, ask them about any positive or negative experiences they have had with the DUI attorney you are considering. In many cases, attorneys can provide you with names of past clients who are willing to share information about their experiences. I have never had a client tell me they weren’t willing to talk to a prospective client about their experiences should I ever need a referral.

Be Sure You are Comfortable with the DUI Lawyer

Regardless of how much or how little you pay your Drunk Driving attorney, unless you are comfortable with them and believe they will fight for what it is you want and need, you will not be happy with the results. Most DUI attorneys offer a free consultation in their office. Go meet them. Meet their office staff. Decide if these are people you like and feel good about. Will you be able to communicate with them? Will they get back to you when you have questions, or will you be lost in a sea of voicemails? Ask lots of questions, and use the opportunity to really interview them. Unless you find an attorney’s office that you believe cares and is skilled and capable of doing what you need on your case, you will not be satisfied with the results.

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Can A Paralegal Handle The Same Cases As A Lawyer?

May 29th, 2011

The term ‘paralegal’ began to emerge around the late sixties. At that time, the public demand for legal solutions was growing rapidly. As such, law firms were experiencing a tremendous increase in their workloads, and they were seeking the aid of people who could do administrative tasks for them. Such people were given the designation of paralegals.

What is a Paralegal?

A paralegal is a person who does administrative work for a lawyer, and he is under the direct supervision of the lawyer. This person must be academically qualified, and he must have the necessary training and work experience to assist a lawyer in the provision of legal services. It is also required that a paralegal has an extensive knowledge of the legal system.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Paralegal

The duties and responsibilities of a paralegal are somewhat similar to the tasks of a lawyer. However, a paralegal does not practice law, and he is strictly prohibited to do so. Ordinarily, a paralegal works together with a lawyer to make preparations for court cases. While making preparations, a paralegal may reveal all the facts that are gathered to support the case, and perform research to draw attention to certain laws and court decisions that pertain to the nature of the case. A paralegal may be working for a lawyer, in a government agency, in a law office or in any other organization that has the authority to carry out legal work.

Differences Between a Paralegal and a Lawyer

Unlike a lawyer, a paralegal is not allowed to give any legal advice nor can he represent a certain client in court. Also, he cannot appoint legal fees or accept a case. While a paralegal can author and sign a legal correspondence, it should be clearly stated that the correspondence does not include any independent legal judgment or advice. In contrast, a lawyer who is considered the legal representative of a client has the sole right to handle and represent a certain client in court. A lawyer takes charge of a paralegal, and he is accountable to the client for the excellence of the legal services and advice delivered.

What does a paralegal do to assist a lawyer?

A paralegal’s work is actually part of an attorney’s work. He helps in locating and conducting interviews with witnesses or clients. A paralegal is allowed to conduct interviews with clients and uphold contact with them for as long as they are informed of the paralegal’s functions and that the work is under the supervision of the attorney. He can also conduct investigations and research, as well as draft legal documents, write letters, and sum up affidavits and testimonies. Another responsibility of a paralegal is to prepare details or information for the supervising lawyer to facilitate decision making on how a certain case should be litigated. He can also be present at real estate closings, executions of wills, affidavits, court or administrative hearings and trials in the company of the attorney.

In summary, a paralegal is a person who assists and provides support for a lawyer in the delivery of legal services. A paralegal does not have the authority to grant any legal advice to clients who are in need of legal services. Legal advice and services are only acceptable if they are specified by a lawyer.

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Better Legal Billing: Win Win Client Options

May 27th, 2011

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I Find the Defendant: Vulnerable – Security Solutions for Legal Firms

May 27th, 2011

Today, many law firms overlook security measures, either because of complexity or expense. Whether in fields of family law, prosecution, defense, intellectual property, or tax law, law firms request a great deal of personal data that most other highly regulated industries would have to keep under lock and key.

When a lawyer begins building a case, he/she collects a significant amount of personal information about their client, from credit card information to financial acquisitions. The information is then placed into a database within the firm’s records. This common scenario of gathering personal information and storing it in a database is similar to banks and credit card companies. Databases in the legal industry are hazardous because too often minimal requirements are placed on legal firms to install adequate IT security systems.

Sensitive electronic data such as financial documents or emails can be exceptionally damaging if they fall into the hands of the opposing counsel or motivated cyber criminals. Integrity, quality and fostering relationships are goals that every law firm strives to achieve with their clients. However, the uncontrolled leak of client data could shatter all of these positive ambitions.

The attorney-client privilege is the most important concept in the legal field because it protects communications between attorneys and their clients. If clients are constantly worried about the whereabouts of their information, it is not likely that positive progress on a case will occur. Attorney-client privileges must be established to pursue a successful outcome for a client’s case.

Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Information Center, in Washington stated, “It’s very important to enforce our existing privacy laws and bring these types of cases because the government and the private sector seem to be doing such a poor job of safeguarding people’s information.” (1) More can be done to safeguard client’s information in this technology-driven age.

The legal industry, steeped on confidentiality, needs to reexamine how it traditionally deals with electronic client information. According to a study conducted by Millard Brown IntelliQuest, of all factors driving technology investments in law firms, 77% feel that attorney’s demands are very important while 62% consider their client’s demands very important. Both statistics identify the importance of using integrated systems for communication. Law firms must emphasize their clients because it is their data which is left vulnerable if a breach occurs within the firm.

The American Bar Association (ABA) is responsible for principles governing the legal industry. While the ABA has strongly advised firms to implement tougher electronic security measures, they have never fully written laws regarding the issue. In their formal opinion (No. 99-413) concerning email encryption, the ABA stated:

“The Committee concludes, based upon current technology and law as we are informed of it, that a lawyer sending confidential client information by unencrypted e-mails does not violate Model Rule 1.6(a) in choosing that mode to communicate. This is principally because there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in its use.”

These statements seem outdated because security issues are so prominent today. Motivated criminals and opposing counsels will do whatever it takes to infiltrate a company in order to gain access to email content and stored data.

The legal industry has made some strides in data protection by using basic virus and spyware programs, but has yet to address issues of outbound email protection. Dennis Kennedy of NetTech, Inc. claims, “It is not uncommon to find attorneys who receive well over a hundred new e-mails messages a day.”(2) Hundreds of unencrypted e-mails a day containing case strategies and potentially personal information cannot continue to float through cyberspace waiting for someone to illegally intercept them.

How can this problem be fixed? The solution to dealing with email and electronic data involves two things, implementing email encryption software and seeking knowledge about potential email and data threats. Email encryption with rights management applied allows attorneys to send and receive emails without clients having to worry about their privacy. In the past, lawyers have solely relied on email disclaimers in their emails, such as “DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL.” Email disclaimers are often ignored and are simply not enough in today’s high risk digital age. Law firms also need to know what’s going on in the technology world and wisely update their security practices to protect client’s data, as well as encrypt emails to make their clients feel safe when communicating online. Attorney-client privileges mean a lot in the legal industry, and in order to retain that trust, lawyers need to do what they can to secure their relationships.

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Filing Bankruptcy – New Bankruptcy Laws Create Confusion For Consumers

May 26th, 2011

Many Americans are filing bankruptcy in hopes of eliminating debts or saving their home from foreclosure. While it is true bankruptcy can offer a fresh financial start, undergoing the process is no easy task. New bankruptcy laws, enacted in 2005, have made filing bankruptcy complicated and confusing.

For most people filing bankruptcy requires legal assistance. When possible, it is a good idea to interview three or four bankruptcy lawyers. Most law firms offer complimentary consultations to review financial information and provide advice. Filing bankruptcy can be an emotionally-charged experience, so it is important to work with a lawyer whose personality is complimentary to yours.

Prior to or during the bankruptcy process, debtors are required to undergo credit counseling. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act requires consumers to obtain counseling through a U.S. Trustee Program agency. Credit counseling must take place a maximum of 180 days prior to filing.

Debtors must also undergo the “means” test to determine if they are eligible to file for personal bankruptcy protection. A provision of BAPCPA requires consumers must pay a portion of their debts if possible. The means test is used to determine how much debt will be repaid.

In cases where debtors fall significantly below the median income level of their state, they may be allowed to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 involves liquidation of assets and discharge of debts. Otherwise, debtors will be required to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy and repay debts over an extended period of time.

In order to file bankruptcy, debtors must petition the bankruptcy court in the judicial district where they reside. A creditor meeting will be arranged and a repayment plan submitted to the court. BAPCPA requires debtors to pay a substantial amount of disposable income toward repayment of debts. If the debtor is unable to adhere to the repayment plan, they will fail out of bankruptcy and lose protection of the court. Failing out of bankruptcy means creditors can proceed with collection actions including initiating foreclosure.

When homeowners file bankruptcy to stop foreclosure, it is crucial they understand the consequences of failing out of bankruptcy. Mortgage lenders can commence the foreclosure process where it left off when bankruptcy was filed. In many instances, homeowners are only days away from eviction when they file. If they fail out of bankruptcy, the lender can foreclose in a matter of days.

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Leveraging Legal Industry Associations

May 25th, 2011

When developing your client communication plans and office expense budgets, you should direct some portion of your effort and spend to training your employees and keeping them in touch with industry trends.

Successful businesses emphasize training and development of their employees, and the return on their investment is evidenced in improved employee performance and retention, organizational competitiveness, and revenue growth.

Industry associations provide some of the best avenues for training and development of employees, and are especially valuable as conduits to information and trends in specific industries. In the legal market, there are three associations that you should consider involving your employees in….

Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
According to its website, the ALA’s mission is to:
• Promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of all members of the legal management team;
• Improve the quality of management in law firms and other legal service organizations; and
• Represent professional legal management and managers to the legal community and to the community at large.

Managing the business affairs of law firm requires special expertise. Among other things, the professional administrator must deal with fast-paced technological changes, management trends that contradict age-old practices, and fundamental changes in the way the practice of law is structured and conducted. ALA develops programs and products that provide high-quality, competency-based education to help administrators keep up with and deal with these challenges.

ALA caters specifically to full-time legal administrators and support managers, as well as practicing lawyers with management responsibilities employed by private law firms or other organizations engaged in the practice of law. The ALA is a national association, with over 70 regional chapters, making it is easily accessible to most in the legal profession.

ASL has been a proud sponsor of ALA since its inception in 1971. Today, we host an annual reception in honor of the incoming National President at the National ALA Annual Meeting and we support several chapters throughout the U.S.

Legal Marketing Association (LMA)
LMA is known as The Authority for Legal Marketing®. For 25 years, LMA has served the needs and maintained the professional standards of those involved in marketing, business development, client service and communications within the legal profession. LMA also serves as a resource for practicing attorneys and law firm leaders looking to develop their practices and gain competitive advantage.

According to the LMA website, one of the principal goals of LMA is to provide to its members vital and timely information and education on a wide variety of issues so that they may grow professionally as well as personally. At its core, LMA provides a forum for those working in marketing, business development, communications and client service in the legal profession to share and exchange ideas.

LMA has 18 regional chapters with over 3,000 members..

ASL is a proud sponsor and member of both National LMA and several regional chapters throughout the U.S. Many of our employees are members, and several hold board positions at the national and local level.

ARMA International (ARMA)
ARMA is the authority on managing records and information – both paper and electronic. It offers specific programs and information associated with legal records management.

ARMA, which is a not-for-profit association, was established in 1955, and has approximately 11,000 members today in 120 regional chapters throughout the U,S, and worldwide.

ASL maintains memberships in ARMA and its regional chapters and regularly attends education seminars to remain at the forefront of records management.

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Legal Marketing: Social Media Strategies You Can’t Ignore

May 24th, 2011

Social media, at this point, is hardly a new concept in law firms. People have been debating its merits for a few years now and more and more firms are getting into the game with Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, a Facebook presence and a JD Supra page. But for the still-averse among firm leaders, what’s the absolute last word? In my opinion it’s this: Get in the game! While you don’t have to jump in the deep end immediately, not participating in social media can only serve to hurt your firm. It keeps you connected to clients, colleagues and referral sources and allows potential clients to gain information other than simply what’s on your website. That being said, there are some basics to remember when joining the online community. Here are few…

Do your homework. There’s obviously a lot of advice and opinion when it comes to social media, especially for lawyers. That’s why it’s imperative to do your own research. Look around different sites, speak with friends and colleagues and start to understand where and how you want your online presence to represent you and your work.

Have a plan. Once you’ve done your investigation stop and think what you want to get back from these sites. Is it referrals? New clients? Visibility? You must also figure out who you’re speaking to. The way you present your information and what you choose to share will differ based on whether you’re speaking to other lawyers, clients in a specific industry, etc… Once you’ve set some goals and have a strategy in place you’ll be better able to navigate the world of social media by understanding who you want to connect with, what you want to say and how you want to do that.

Start Small. If you’re uncomfortable with social media start with something simple. Your best bet? LinkedIn. Because it focuses more on the business side of your life, it’s easy to set up and relatively non-invasive when it comes to personal information. It will allow you to reconnect with friends and colleagues and put you top-of-mind for referrals. It will also allow you to join industry-specific groups where you can share information with colleagues from around the country. Another great industry-specific site is JDSupra.com, who works closely with LinkedIn to create content related to law firms and attorneys.

Remember that its always business. Social media can be dangerous because it makes the sharing of information that much simpler. But it also makes the viewing of information that much simpler. Though most attorneys are extremely careful about what they share online, it’s always good to remember that once information is out there it’s hard to erase it. Whether it’s an article, white paper or just a simple Tweet, everything that goes on the web is a reflection on your business and your firm. It’s called social media but it’s really all business.

Keep it up. There’s no point in setting up a social media account if you’re not going to use it. Carve out time once a week (or even bi-monthly) to check in, update, add new contacts or join a new group. If you’ve written an interesting article, post it; if you read an interesting blog post, share it; and if you meet a new referral source, add them to your network. Just do something.

As social media continues to grow and expand, it becomes more and more important for marketing-savvy law firms to join the movement. As I mentioned above, you don’t have to turn your business development plan upside down, just dipping your toes in the social media waters can reap powerful benefits in the form of visibility, connections, referrals and recognition.

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Can Your Attorney Protect You Against DUI Charges?

May 23rd, 2011

Let’s face it – if you’ve been charged with driving under the influence in Minnesota, you aren’t likely to advertise the fact. You may not even want to tell close friends or family. It certainly makes it harder to find a good attorney, especially when you don’t want to ask people for referrals. But a qualified attorney can make a huge difference to your defense – and your future.

There are lots of attorneys with “practice-specific” legal disciplines (estates, family law, etc.) You see, driving under the influence in Minnesota is a very serious charge that could have life-long ramifications. There are a variety of penalties and jail sentences associated with a DUI charge. As a result, you should hire an attorney that can put on the most aggressive defense for you — which is why you want drunk driving defense attorneys.

In addition, drunk driving defense attorneys are different than criminal defense lawyers. While they certainly have the same legal qualifications, a Minnesota DUI law firm will have expanded their experience and training in the defense of DUI charges. They are members of one of the professional organizations that provide expertise in DUI defense. These associations maintain training events and seminars so that the attorneys gain even more skills in DUI defense.

There are lots of attorneys with “practice-specific” legal disciplines (estates, family law, etc.) But why would you want to use a firm focusing on real estate, for example, to defend you in a DUI? That’s not where their expertise lies.

DUI law firms are firms that primarily accept only DUI/DWI cases. Their expert attorneys have handled virtually every type of DUI charge and have aggressively defended clients for many years. Drunk driving defense attorneys will vigorously examine the charges made against their clients and the evidence collected at the time of their arrest. This is what they know how to do-just like real estate lawyers know how to examine a lease.

When attorneys focus on DUI defense, they become seasoned at evaluating and understanding the testing procedures used to determine blood alcohol levels, the tests used to determine sobriety in the field, and the probable arrest procedures. All of this experience helps when it comes time to challenge your arrest and the charges against you.

A good Minnesota DUI law firm has a reputation with local police, prosecutors and judges for aggressive defense of their clients. That means they bring more negotiating power to the table when dealing with the prosecution. This works in their client’s favor. Drunk driving defense attorneys will honestly evaluate the case against you and they will use their experience to offer advice on various strategies, including possible plea bargains if you choose to go that route. You need a Minnesota DUI law firm because this information is invaluable to you.

The approach to driving under the influence in Minnesota is too important to leave to chance. Wishful thinking is not a defense to your DWI charges.

Choosing a Minnesota DUI law firm can make the difference between serving more jail time or obtaining credit for the time you may have already served after your arrest.
It can make the difference between years of probation and court-ordered requirements — or not.

Reinstating your driving privileges — or not.

Heavy fines and loss of your vehicle or very livelihood — or not.

Evaluate carefully, ask questions, and get the best possible defense on your case by obtaining a Minnesota DUI lawyer.

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How to Tackle Personal Injury With Legal Help

May 22nd, 2011

Personal injuries are sudden and accidental. They can happen anytime, anywhere. One can be injured due to numerous reasons including automobile, trucking and motorcycle accidents, medical negligence, hospital negligence, products malfunction, animal attacks and from slipping and falling. However, it is important for you to know that if you are injured, you have important rights that need protection.

When an individual is injured by the negligence of another or by a defective product, he or she may have a claim against the responsible party for their injuries. A lawsuit can offer compensation to those who have suffered a injury as a result of the wrongful act of another. For example in Orlando, Florida, such cases often arise because of auto accidents, property accidents, and employment cases. If you would like to ensure whether your personal injury case has validity in the eyes of the law, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer from your state.

Personal injury cases are serious issues. They often entail severe injury, permanent disability and even death. Victims in Florida depend on the Florida personal injury lawyers to recuperate financial indemnity that are needed to cover their medical treatments, replace permanently lost income and compensate for their distress.

Early consultation with a lawyer, who is experienced in personal injury cases, can help you obtain the maximum recovery allowed by the law. Before hiring a Florida lawyer, you should research the law firms and lawyers you are considering to represent you. Ask for information about the lawyer’s education, training and experience, and ask the lawyer to tell you about his or her experience in dealing with cases similar to yours. Choose a Florida personal injury lawyer who is -

- specializing in personal injury,

- experienced in dealing with insurance companies,

- well acquainted with trial experience.

You can find specialist solicitors through:

- The Community Legal Service.

- The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

- The Law Society.

- A Citizens Advice Bureau or law center.

- Your trade union, if you have one.

If you choose to consult an Orlando personal injury attorney, you ought to contact the firm as soon as possible after the accident. This will make sure that information is still fresh in your mind and in the minds of other involved parties. Reimbursement is generally awarded based on the strength of your documentation and degree of injury. Almost in all cases, a personal injury lawyer will be able to fetch you a larger settlement than you would get without legal representation. Unless you are an attorney yourself you’ll be happy you took the help of someone who has experience and detailed knowledge of the hundreds of laws and regulations concerning accident compensation.

Consulting an attorney does not necessarily mean you will be taking action in court. Most personal injury claims are settled through negotiation without a court hearing. If other people have been injured in the same way as you (for example, in a bomb blast or by taking spurious medicine), it may be better for you to join with them in taking legal proceedings.

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Lawyer Marketing – 5 Ways to Increase Your Caseload

May 20th, 2011

Increase your caseload through innovative online marketing techniques and never have to worry about where the next case is coming from. As an attorney you know that your caseload affects whether you are able bring home a good living or are just able to squeak by. As a small business owner you have overhead, the office, the equipment, your research and continuing education costs and of course any support staff salaries that you have to cover. That all comes out before you get to take home a dime.

5 things that every professional with a private practice should be doing are listed below. If you only take action on a few of these you will see an increase in business, if you fully implement all of them you will be surprised at your ability to pick and choose the most profitable cases and you will be able to refer the rest out.

1. If you don’t already have a website, Get One! Your potential clients are going online to find you more and more every day. Roughly 74% of the population of North America uses the internet. If you do not have a website, they cannot find you! (internetworldstatsdotcom)

2. Add your site to online directories. This will help get your name out and will add credibility to your website as it is seen by search engines. This is important because the overwhelming majority of people use search engines to wade through all of the information on the internet and find what they are looking for. Search engines like content, and links. Get Some.

3. Find your target market. Every practice has clients that are very profitable either because of the type of services they use or because they are very easy to deal with. Find out which of your clients makes you the most money and target that kind of client online. This one seems like a no brainer but is often overlooked. We don’t want just any clients, we want the most profitable.

4. Publish articles online. This will take some time. First you have to write the articles, then sign up for article directories, then you have to know the submission guidelines of each one before you can submit even 1 article. But if you do, you will see increased traffic, an increase in your authority as an expert or the go to on a particular topic, and increased requests for review of cases. In fact, other attorneys may come to you with some of the more difficult cases they have and offer them to you for a referral fee. (This happens for a number of my clients!) Or you could hire a company to manage all of this for you so you can focus on your practice.

5. Publish videos online. Put together informational and commercial videos and submit them to the growing number of sites on the internet that let you upload videos. They rank highly in search engines and they can bring in a ton of traffic. Do not overlook this. This could be extraordinarily costly and difficult or you could go to an SEO specialist who deals with this and they can help you do it effectively and for less than you ever thought possible.

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