LawSchool.Life

by **Saul Goodman** » Sat Dec 12, 2020 11:33 am

Easy-E wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:19 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:25 pm
Haven’t seen a lot action in here recently. How is everyone ?
I'm getting the solo practice itch again. How much did you have saved before you took the plunge? Or did you know you work have the work to cover overhead right off the bat? Wife works and has our health insurance covered but she doesn't make much (teacher).

I know I'd have some active PI cases I would bring with me but contingency work don't keep the lights on. Have a couple referral sources who I think could get me steady flat fee work (closings, traffic stuff). I'd probably take any litigation work that I can get paid for, some collections work for my parents business, other BS.

I'm at the point where it's now or never.

My wife is a teacher too. The benefits help a lot. I had about $15,000 saved specifically to put towards living expenses during the first few months while I got my practice off the ground. The first 6 months were tough but things started getting better and now my practice is almost self sustaining almost 3 years later. Take whatever you can get your hands on the first few months but of course, exercise diligence. Your goal needs to be bringing in as much business as possible to start. I also limited overhead as much as possible at first. Literally started my firm with a cell phone and a laptop. There are plenty of virtual office options out there that will give you a good look in the form of live receptionist, business address and fax number (I like Davinci or Opus) for a low flat fee monthly. With the covid situation, now more than ever clients appreciate virtual options instead of the traditional walk into a law office to speak with their lawyer. Take advantage of that. There’s no time like the present and honestly, I can’t imagine working for anyone else ever again. Best professional decision I ever made was to start my own shop!!

by **Easy-E** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:19 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:25 pm
Haven’t seen a lot action in here recently. How is everyone ?

I'm getting the solo practice itch again. How much did you have saved before you took the plunge? Or did you know you work have the work to cover overhead right off the bat? Wife works and has our health insurance covered but she doesn't make much (teacher).

I know I'd have some active PI cases I would bring with me but contingency work don't keep the lights on. Have a couple referral sources who I think could get me steady flat fee work (closings, traffic stuff). I'd probably take any litigation work that I can get paid for, some collections work for my parents business, other BS.

I'm at the point where it's now or never.

by **Kümmel** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 2:13 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:59 am

Story wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:37 pm
Generally speaking, How much do you make per year as a private solo or small firm crim defense attorney?
Really depends on market and experience. I live in a large metro area so there is a lot of competition. The most experienced lawyers who practice only criminal defense can take on high level felonies can easily make over $250,000 annually. Someone like myself who has been out of school about 5 years, is usually practicing in another area to mix the pot. This year between criminal defense, auto accident, family law and some federal civil litigation stuff, I’m on pace to bring home roughly $165,000 this year.

I’ve heard of some lawyers in more rural parts of my state wi the similar experience to me able to practice only criminal law and make about $80,000-$95,000 annually because they’re likely the only game in town. Or at least one of the few.

165k purely in accounts receivable? or are you factoring in any expenses? office/legal software/court filing fees, etc?

by **Saul Goodman** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:01 am

bikeflip wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:46 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:25 pm
Haven’t seen a lot action in here recently. How is everyone ?
Phone not ringing as much b/c COVID slow but still getting annoyed at DAs. You?

Little bit of the same I’ve had to start taking on auto accidents to supplement my revenue while the criminal stuff bounces back. Unfortunately the no jury trials thing is a killer

by **Saul Goodman** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:59 am

Story wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:37 pm
Generally speaking, How much do you make per year as a private solo or small firm crim defense attorney?

Really depends on market and experience. I live in a large metro area so there is a lot of competition. The most experienced lawyers who practice only criminal defense can take on high level felonies can easily make over $250,000 annually. Someone like myself who has been out of school about 5 years, is usually practicing in another area to mix the pot. This year between criminal defense, auto accident, family law and some federal civil litigation stuff, I’m on pace to bring home roughly $165,000 this year.

I’ve heard of some lawyers in more rural parts of my state wi the similar experience to me able to practice only criminal law and make about $80,000-$95,000 annually because they’re likely the only game in town. Or at least one of the few.

by **Story** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:54 pm

What types of prosectors do you meet during your time as a defense attorney? Such as the burnt-out one, the zealot, etc.

Which type do you love going against? What type do you like plea bargaining with?

Any stories of prosecutorial misconduct?

by **bikeflip** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:46 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:25 pm
Haven’t seen a lot action in here recently. How is everyone ?

Phone not ringing as much b/c COVID slow but still getting annoyed at DAs. You?

by **bikeflip** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:45 pm

Story wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:37 pm
Generally speaking, How much do you make per year as a private solo or small firm crim defense attorney?

Small firm here. Not nearly as much as my civil brethren. I know some solos that are clearing $200k after a few years. They also had to eat a ton of ramen the first year or so as a solo. And not every solo makes it.

by **Story** » Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:37 pm

Generally speaking, How much do you make per year as a private solo or small firm crim defense attorney?

by **Saul Goodman** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:28 pm

Kümmel wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:12 am

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.
PD here. The one thing I really don't get is how you come up with fee structure. Flat/hourly. How you decide what is worth what

Usually criminal is all flat. Some times “tier fee” where it’s flat up until trial and if client wants to go through with trial it’s the same fee as the initial

by **Saul Goodman** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 9:25 pm

Haven’t seen a lot action in here recently. How is everyone ?

by **Post_Alone** » Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:32 pm

Kümmel wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:12 am

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.
PD here. The one thing I really don't get is how you come up with fee structure. Flat/hourly. How you decide what is worth what

I have them sign a fee agreement that has an initial retainer that I think will get them through the entire case but warn that depending on how their case develops I may end up asking for more. I send them periodic invoices so they can see how their retainer is being spent and then a letter describing why I need more money if they start to run out. If they refuse to pay more I just file a withdrawal motion but try to do so selectively and work with all my clients financially just to protect my own reputation re: fees.

by **Post_Alone** » Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:27 pm

kellyfrost wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:24 pm

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.
Could open a bail bond company as entity separate from your firm (and not run afoul of ethical rules)? If you could, have you considered it? Why or why not?

Do you work in any other practice areas or 100% criminal defense?

What is the most common charge you defend against?

Have you ever considered putting your firm name and contact information on drink coaster and then giving them to local bars to use as a form of marketing your DUI defense practice?

1. That would certainly run afoul of ethical rules. As a bondsman I would want higher surety bonds set but as their attorney I would want lower. That's the first problem that obviously comes to mind.

2. I only really like criminal work so I ask for ridiculous retainers in cases involving other practice areas. If they pay then sure I'll do it.

3. Domestic abuse and gun crimes are probably most common for my practice but this is only because I have a state public defender contract that gets me court appointed cases but the real high volume / low level crimes go to the actual state pd.

4. I'm overwhelmed by my current caseload so I don't need to advertise or market other than having a website. I find attorney advertising really distasteful and cringe.

Sorry for the late responses.

by **kellyfrost** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:24 pm

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.

Could open a bail bond company as entity separate from your firm (and not run afoul of ethical rules)? If you could, have you considered it? Why or why not?

Do you work in any other practice areas or 100% criminal defense?

What is the most common charge you defend against?

Have you ever considered putting your firm name and contact information on drink coaster and then giving them to local bars to use as a form of marketing your DUI defense practice?

by **Caesar** » Mon Dec 16, 2019 12:32 pm

Kümmel wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:12 am

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.
PD here. The one thing I really don't get is how you come up with fee structure. Flat/hourly. How you decide what is worth what

Ask people in the area what they charge and go from there

by **Kümmel** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:12 am

Post_Alone wrote: ↑
Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am
Solo criminal defense here. AMA.

PD here. The one thing I really don't get is how you come up with fee structure. Flat/hourly. How you decide what is worth what

by **Post_Alone** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:38 am

Solo criminal defense here. AMA.

by **Adso** » Sun Aug 04, 2019 1:32 pm

Saul Goodman wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:10 am
The Criminal side of my practice has ramped up again. Have Court three days next week for plea conferences. Any of you that were considering making a jump a year ago make the jump?

I've been back in criminal defense for about a year now. No regrets!

by **Saul Goodman** » Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:32 am

Damn that sucks. But as we know, this is the nature of the beast. The DA will always have the advantage over our clients in most instances for the stupidest reasons. My crim case load is lower in count again. I find this fluctuation to be fairly common among the other criminal defense attorneys in my area which is why we all practice in 1-2 additional areas of law

by **beep** » Sun May 05, 2019 12:17 pm

by **Saul Goodman** » Sun May 05, 2019 9:09 am

Caesar wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:16 am
Had trial scheduled for yesterday. Learned earlier in the week that court was shutting down early yesterday and today. Told DA when first got there that we should just continue the case cause no way we were gonna get to it. 2 hours later, yea let's just continue it. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Lol DA gonna DA

by **Caesar** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:16 am

Had trial scheduled for yesterday. Learned earlier in the week that court was shutting down early yesterday and today. Told DA when first got there that we should just continue the case cause no way we were gonna get to it. 2 hours later, yea let's just continue it. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

by **bikeflip** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:17 pm

I joined a firm but still doing 95% crim defense.

by **Saul Goodman** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:10 am

The Criminal side of my practice has ramped up again. Have Court three days next week for plea conferences. Any of you that were considering making a jump a year ago make the jump?

by **Saul Goodman** » Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:17 pm

bikeflip wrote: ↑
Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:32 pm
Nice. For your sanity, hopefully not in that order! Family law stuff makes me pull my hair out, and I don't even do family law.

Yea man the family stuff sucks but it does pay well. Picked up a couple new criminal cases nothing crazy though. Just glad to be back in real court. It’s tough when your main competitor for clients is the Public Defender’s Office but hey that’s what the civil stuff is for right?

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