The Modern Firm, LLC

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding our Law Firm Merchant Account service pertains to the rules surrounding trust accounts. The rules and requirements vary state by state, so you should check with your local bar to determine which of the following scenarios will work for you.

Scenario 1:

Tie the trust account directly to the merchant account and have discount fees withdrawn in a separate transaction.

With this configuration the entire deposit will be placed into the trust account. A separate transaction will withdraw the discount/processing fee from the trust account. Often the merchant can configure the (more…)

There is a common misconception in a large segment of the legal profession that marketing equates to advertising and spending a lot of money. That couldn’t be more wrong. Marketing in law firms is all about sweating the details. The details cost you a little extra time and attention, but can deliver big dividends to your firm down the road. It is the best way to differentiate your firm from others.

Most important for every law firm are your relationships with clients. It’s the trust your clients develop in you, your knowledge of their business and industry, your responsiveness, anticipation of client needs, and, of course, the results you deliver. (more…)

Without a doubt, clients can be your best source of referrals. Yet in my 18 years of marketing work with lawyers, I have met few who actually ask clients for referrals.

Some may believe that their clients will automatically refer business to them if the opportunity should arise and therefore, there is no need for the lawyer to ask. Others may be reluctant to ask a client for fear that the client would say no because they may not have been completely satisfied with some aspect of the lawyer’s handling of their case.

If you want to increase your business, get in the habit of asking your clients for referrals. (more…)

Reprinted With Permission of Minnesota Lawyer

Assessing your law firm’s online marketing strategy

A Website need not be elaborate to be effective

By Michelle Lore | August 14, 2006
michelle.lore@minnlawyer.com

View PDF Copy of this article

There is no good reason for a law firm not to have a Website, at least according to Web designer Brendan Chard, who last week spoke at a MinnCLE conference devoted to solo and small firm practitioners.

A Website need not be elaborate to be effective, Chard told the crowded room of attorneys. “The primary information your Website needs to include is who you are, why you are great and how to get in touch with you,” he said.

Chard’s comments were made during “Websites and Online Marketing: Make Them Work For You” one of many continuing legal education (CLE) seminars offered at the second Strategic Solutions for Solo and Small Firms conference in Duluth. The 2 ½ day event was sponsored by Minnesota CLE. (more…)

Executive coaching, a professional development tool that combines strategic consulting and problem-solving counseling to help professionals set and reach their business and/or personal goals, has in the past decade found much support in the business community. Managers in corporations, including blue chip companies such as IBM, AT&T and Kodak, are realizing its benefits. Lawyers on the other hand, are just now becoming familiar with the concept.

That the coaching trend is more prevalent in corporate America than in the legal profession is no surprise. Historically, law firms have followed the lead of their corporate clients on implementing management and operational innovations. For example, most companies were using email and Web sites long before law firms got on board. Coaching has proven to be no different for a variety of reasons.
(more…)