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What Type Of Law Business Should I Start?

Oct 7, 2015 | Become a Provider

Types of businesses can be as varied as types of individual lawyers, mediators and independent paralegals, so if you are considering setting up a law business, you may want to stop and look at all of your options before you take that first step. The common mistake most people make is to assume that one size fits all…a lawyer is a lawyer, a law firm is a law firm. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you’re wondering what kind of business should I start, then you should bear in mind the various kinds of law practices/services there are, from solo ventures to large firms, from criminal to corporate. There are many possibilities…the key is deciding which is best suited to you and giving yourself the best chance to succeed.

When discussing the various types of businesses, you should always start with solo legal offices, simply because this is usually the easiest way for a single legal professional to establish themselves. It can be difficult trying to get a toehold in an established practice, so many young legal professionals opt for hanging out their own shingle and going into practice on their own.

These small firms can be more attractive to clients as well, as they are often far less expensive than large firms and may feel less threatening to those not used to dealing with the law. However, the answer to the question what kind of business should I start may not always lead in this direction, as it can be difficult for a solo legal professional to become successful right away.

Aside from solo practices, two other types of businesses are small law firms and large law firms. These are established practices with more than one attorney, mediator or paralegal. In both cases, it can be easier to work in a firm as there are more resources at hand and one person doesn’t have to be completely responsible for handling an entire case.

Of course size isn’t the only thing that distinguishes one practice from another. Another aspect you might want to consider is the type of law you want to practice. Are you interested in criminal law or other law that involves litigation or are you leaning more toward transactional law, which involves a lot of paperwork to decide money, property and insurance issues?

Within these general headings, there are types of businesses you can consider depending on the legal specialty you might be interested in. There are a range of specialties including personal injury, bankruptcy, real estate law, family law and estate management, just to name a few. You may want to tailor your business to fit into one of these particular niches.

Asking what kind of business should I start is just the first step to a career in the law. Once you’ve considered your choices and decided which path to take, you can then begin the hard work of making yourself a successful legal professional. It takes a lot of work and determination but if you’re up to the challenge, having a law business can be extremely rewarding in more ways than one.

The author of this blog is not an attorney and the information contained in these blogs should not be considered legal advice. The information provided here is based on the experience of the author and some of her clients whose actual names are not mentioned. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of an attorney if you have any legal questions.

Cindy

Cindy Elwell
Founder, Divorce With Dignity
 Network

Our Founder started DWD, after years in the legal field, because she wanted to help people going through a divorce to do it peacefully – the way she did – and provide a safe place for them to do so. In 1995, she opened the first DWDignity office in Alameda, California and since then, she (along with her expanding network of Providers) has helped thousands of people obtain an amicable divorce.