Jonathan Hawkins

Swag is for your employees, not to give as gifts.

For me, the worst thing about growing a law firm is also the best thing.

I constantly need to learn new things.

Early on, things like "How do I get a website up?"

Then, "How do I set up payroll?"

Then, "What is the best way to motivate this employee?"

The questions never end. They just change.

Sometimes I don’t realize just how tired I am.

Lawyers, I know a lot of you have decided to switch firms.

General rule:

When a lawyer leaves a firm, he should not take client files.

Need to first get a client's written authorization.

Wow

Georgia tech looking good but need points

YouTube video by Protoje Protoje x Jahshii - Where We Come From (Official Music Video)

Good stuff!

youtu.be/fFXc1b7Kv2U?...

No one will ever care more about your career than you.

It's on you. Not someone else.

If you aren't proactively taking action to further it, you will stall out.

Yes, there will be times when people will help you along.

Just make sure you don't waste those opportunities.

Eating out at a restaurant today for Thanksgiving.

Have only done that one time before.

Looking forward to it

Publix Greenwise eggnog.

Nothing better out there

Want to start your own law firm?

At a minimum, you will need to know:

1) How to get clients

2) How to manage clients

3) How to run cases/client matters

Once you've got those, then you can move on to learn the other aspects of running a law firm.

Can’t believe this is actually real

Yep

Friday night margaritas… here I come

Your brand is what you tell the world you are.

Your reputation is what other people say about you.

You want them to be the same.

But many time they aren't.

Growth is messy

Make the investment and hire.

You will fill them up faster than you can imagine

The less dependent your firm is on you the more valuable it will be.

PSA for lawyers: Don't stiff other lawyers on referral fees.

Fastest way to destroy your reputation and ability to get referrals in the future.

Careers and memories are long.

And people talk...

The old trick to ensure you get your full nap -

Tell the kids that when you wake up, you’re all going to clean the house together

Leg day… 😩

A lot of solos have a job instead of a business.

It is tough…

They can’t quit and they can’t fire themselves.

Gotta watch

Pass on the clients that don't want to pay you.
It will cost you more than you'll ever make. Trust me.

Pass on those clients that don’t fit.
And use that time to market the practice you want to build.

It might be scary at first, but you and your firm will be much better off in the long run.

About to launch your own firm?

Quick piece of advice -- Don't take any and every client that comes your way.

Yes, you may have few or no clients.
Yes, you may need the money.

It may be tempting, but stay strong.

Newer lawyers, work to become a subject matter expert.

It will do wonders for your career.

Is it easy? No

Will it happen overnight? No

Is it worth it? Yes.

New here and still exploring.

Will post into the void for a while and see what happens

Last thing - nothing has 100% certainty. If it looks like it is worth pursuing, go for it.

Take the time, have the serious conversations, and do the work on the front end.

You’ll either lay the foundation and increase the chances for success

OR

find out that this partnership is not right for you.

A partnership is not something to rush blindly into.

You need a compelling reason or reasons.

A shared vision.
A true growth strategy.
A combination of different strengths.

I always say look for a 1+1 = 3 situation.