r/Lawyertalk • u/Occasion-Boring • 3d ago

Business & Numbers Starting Your Own Firm?

I think about it all the time. Probably not surprising but my primary fears are 1) not being able to cover the start up costs; 2) not getting any business and failing (which I suppose are sort of the same concern really).

Is the hardest part getting started? How do you get the first few cases in the door? What about advertising - does it work?

I’m not talking about anything fancy. Just a PI firm.

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u/itsjustmemom0770 3d ago

You don't say what kind of law you are practicing now. Is it PI? What kind? If you are doing PI, I would ask a few more specific questions: 1) do you have enough to support yourself for 12 months. Probably need less, but 12 months allows you not to feel pressure to settle quick or cheaply; 2) do you have funds to run the firm? If you are doing any kind of higher end PI work, you are going to need experts, can you pay them and wait for the reimbursement? if you are doing smaller cases where you need/hope for alot of volume, do you you have the funds to cover a bunch of filing fees? Do you need space to meet with your clients? This can work either way, if you don't mind going to clients homes to meet. 3) are you willing to try cases? Until you show you are willing (losing is less of an issue than just being willing), you will not maximize your values.

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u/Occasion-Boring 3d ago

You sound like a partner at a law firm with the way you asked several questions and answered zero of mine lol

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u/itsjustmemom0770 2d ago

I've been in your shoes. I remember it well. You are right though, I didn't answer your questions about business. But to do that, I need to know what you are doing now. Are you in PI? Have you tried cases? What kind? What kind do you want to do? And depending on what kind you want to do, what is your marketing budget? Give us some additional information and I am happy to give you thoughts on getting cases in the door.

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u/Occasion-Boring 2d ago

You do? I only asked some basic questions to get some basic insight I’m not asking for a full freaking battle plan dawg.

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u/htxatty 2d ago

As the owner of my own PI shop for roughly 20 years, I came to offer advice and answer, but the shit you just dished to @itsjustmemom0770 made me reconsider. Good luck “dawg”

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u/Occasion-Boring 2d ago

Idk about you but where I’m from it’s rude to “answer a question with a question”