ABSTRACT

Clients want three things from their lawyer: knowledge, experience and judgment. Satisfying those three requirements for a client is the foundation of building a law practice. Business Development for lawyers is the ability to attract and retain clients; satisfying these three key requirements for clients is the foundation of that attraction and retention. In order to create a solid professional relationship as a lawyer that clients want to retain and rely upon—thus someone who can develop a growing reputation and practice—a lawyer must establish a bond that is dependent upon shared values. Shared values are an essential element of the trust a lawyer and client must have in order to commit to the relationship; the client and lawyer should feel they are working together on a shared basis for a shared goal. Judgment is the synthesis of facts, law and precedents/experience; the ability to articulate solutions after careful listening; and effective, economical and efficient communication of a proposed solution.