STARTING A LAW PRACTICE


Forming an an entity in NYC 

What is a Professional Service Limited Liability Company?
One or more professionals may form, or cause to be formed, a professional service limited liability company (PLLC) for pecuniary profit for the purpose of rendering the professional service or services that the professionals are authorized to practice.  A PLLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization pursuant to Section 1203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.  “Profession,” as defined in Section 1201(b) of the Limited Liability Company Law, includes any practice as an attorney and counselor-at-law, or as a licensed physician, and those occupations designated in Title Eight of the Education Law.  For a listing of professional services, please see NYS Department of Education, Office of the Professions.

21 Pieces of Advice for Every (New) Lawyer

1.   The best cases are the ones you turn down (Learn to say NO)
2.   You make more money in the office than in Court
3.   Judges who never practiced can be dangerous to attorneys.
4.   Venue is very important, even in non-litigated matters (ie – if you will have to travel a lot for a matter, it may not be worth it)
5.   On a new matter, pay attention to who your opposing attorneys will be.
6.   You may trust what your client tells you, but verify it to protect yourself.
7.   Getting retained is not that hard.  Getting subsequent payments is much harder.
8.   Many potential clients cannot afford to pay for proper legal services, plain and simple.
9.   Making good referrals is very important.  Even more important than getting them.
10.                     If a client seems nuts, they ARE nuts.  Trust your gut.
11.                     The Court system is VERY political.  The Judges are not there on merit.  They are there because of politics.
12.                     Truth is WAY stranger than fiction.
13.                     People rarely show appreciation for what you have done.  Get used to it.
14.                     If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember what you said.
15.                     Take detailed notes.  You may have a great memory, but at some point you will forget more than you can imagine.
16.                     Confirm and re-confirm appointments.  It’s worth it.
17.                     A case being proposed on a contingency fee is like a three-legged stool.  The legs are liability, damages and collectability.  If any of the legs is weak, the stool falls.  You should avoid those cases.
18.                     If a client wants you to “just send a letter”, this never works out.  Be prepared to implement Plan B.
19.                     Return phone calls promptly.
20.                     Take vacations.
21.                    If you run into a problem on a case, don’t get paralyzed.  Take action.
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