Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

I am trying to make myself a business card.

I have a phone number, fax number and email, but no mailing address yet (I was planning on a PO Box for now as most of the work I hope to do will be assigned by the courts)

Do I need an address? A website?

Also, should I put down what areas I specialize in or will that hinder me from getting clients outside of my area? (I am a family court attorney by trade with criminal experience)

TIA!

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Hi I am a court reporter and throughout the years Ive gained a collection of business cards from attys.

Here's an example:

Jennifer L. Smith
Attorney at Law

PO Box 1000
North Pole, New York 11111
Tel. (212) 333-33333 Fax (212)111-1111
[email protected]

Of course all centered. :)

Hope that helps

If you need a reporter in the future, let me know. -Jen

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

So much to say..............

I believe that the ethical rules require a street address on letterhead and I just always interpreted that to mean that it should be on business cards. I need to get a PO Box for a variety of reasons but my cards and letterhead willl still have the office street address.

I have my practice areas listed on my cards but I did not do it when I started the practice. I do it now because now I get a lot of business from referrals and I find that other attorneys think of me specifically because they remember my practice areas. Having that listed on my cards has turned out to be a great reminder. I also find that I can leave business cards with people I meet & they will think of me specifically for my practice areas. Then again, I have a friend who says that she would never limit herself by putting her practice areas on her cards. She wants her clients to always call her for any legal matter and then she will take it from there & decide what to do. I find that former clients call on me for recommendations anyway.

When it comes to websites, I'll tell you my experience. In 2001, when I started the practice, there were very few attorneys who had websites. Now my website has natural search engine placement just by virtue of how long it has been around. I am glad I got a website right away but I was very lucky in that the original site design didn't cost me a lot. My original web designer was a friend who now works directly for photoshop and he is a known photoshop guru who teaches all over the world. He's no longer designing pages for small businesses but if you look at my site it does not look nearly as old as it is. He was so forward thinking. I am afraid to price out the making of a new site and there is no way he has the time anymore. I do not like the pre-templated law office websites so I do not not know what I would do if I was starting out now and had to pay a designer. My husband is a programmer and he keeps it up to date but he isn't comfortable designing me a new site. For web hosting, I would recommend the person I use if you decide not to do a site through lawyers.com or one of those (they are very expensive for what you get and so many lawyers quit after 1 year).

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Not sure on the specialties - all the cards I have say Attroney at Law underneath their name.

I am a freelance reporter so privately, but hope to be an official in a couple of years.

I ordered my business cards on Vista, pretty cheap! They might have examples there as well!

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

i would put something on your card regarding your practice area but would you feel comfortable also putting something like "general practice"? that could also be too encompassing... but, you could always say no to taking on business that you didn't feel comfortable handling.
good luck!!!

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Hi. I work for a personal injury lawyer & hire out to many per diem attorneys for court appearances. I don't think its necessary to lists your specialties. I believe word of mouth works best in the profession.

As far as an address goes, a PO Box is as good as a physical address. I have learned that a cell number & an e-mail address or 2 is the best way to reach someone.

Good Luck.

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice

Thank you everyone!

Re: Question for Attorneys-making a business card in anticipation of solo practice