Business plan for a law firm: an example with calculations legal support for a business

The question of the possibility of opening your own legal services firm sooner or later is asked by every lawyer. This type of activity is not subject to licensing, therefore, anyone can do it. The task of an entrepreneur is to hire smart staff and competently draw up a business plan for a law firm. An example with calculations is given in this article, it will help you organize your business correctly in order to count on a quick payback of the project and a stable income.

A law firm is an organization that provides legal services. This type of activity can have both a narrow specialization and a wide range of services.

The clients of the firm can also be individuals or organizations. To determine the direction of work and strategy, the entrepreneur must study the demand market and competitors.

A more interesting direction when opening a legal business from scratch today is the service of legal entities. This niche can be occupied due to the absence of a large number of competitors. In the future, it remains expedient to offer a wide range of legal services to clients.

Before you open a legal consultation, you need to carefully weigh the material possibilities and draw up a detailed business plan.

Advancement along the path from narrow specialization to a wide range of services allows you to minimize costs at the initial stage of starting a business, since otherwise the company will need a large number of qualified specialists.

Formalities and documentation

Opening a law firm from scratch does not require a license. Exceptions are provided for advocacy in criminal law, private detective and notarial activities. The legal form of activity that is suitable for the provision of legal services is an individual entrepreneur or LLC. Code of economic activity - 74.1.

Premises and equipment

Before you open a law office, you need to rent a suitable office space. This type of activity does not imply the presence of specific or production equipment, so there are few requirements for the office - a convenient location for customer access, compliance with fire supervision standards.
The following items will be required as necessary equipment:

• Working furniture for 2-3 employees - tables and chairs, cabinets, cabinets, racks and shelves for storing documentation;
• Furniture for visitors - chairs, hanger, coffee table;
• Safe for special documents and seals;
• Computers with software and Internet access. You will also need specialized programs and office equipment;
• Phones, including landline;
• Specialized literature - textbooks, codes, articles.

Services provided

Standard service by a law firm for individuals on general issues has its pros and cons. Legal marriage and related issues, support for real estate transactions, legal problems and other services are always in demand.

At the initial stage, a lawyer can work for some time with individuals, building up a client base and establishing relationships.

But a significant drawback is the low solvency of this group of the population and high competition in this area.
Attention should be paid to the following areas of activity:

• Legal advice;
• Legal assistance to a legal entity in registration, obtaining permits and licensing of activities, assistance in interaction with government agencies;
• Subscriber legal services for business. In this case, the office becomes a permanent partner of the company and accompanies all its transactions. Outsourcing involves a wide range of services, ranging from staff registration and ending with an appeal against the actions of law enforcement agencies in relation to the company;
• Personalized service for premium clients. This does not apply to one-time transactions, here we are talking about high-level clients who need an “own” person to work with confidential information.

This sample business plan for a law firm is designed for the direction that currently leaves the entrepreneur the opportunity to find his niche in the legal services market. In fact, the list of relevant services may change every 3-4 years. Those destinations that did not exist recently or were considered exotic are already in active demand. A striking example is the support of e-commerce.

Promising directions and services

So, legal support for business is a promising area, but not the only one that is of interest to the market. In the current market conditions, the following services are becoming increasingly relevant:

• Legal support of cases on debt collection and loan agreements;
• Working with enforcement proceedings;
• Legal services for foreign citizens (obtaining citizenship, buying real estate, participating in civil proceedings, etc.);
• Drawing up claims regarding illegal actions of law enforcement agencies.

Staff

From the point of view of material costs, it is more profitable to deal with legal issues for someone who is a lawyer. Before setting up a law firm, a lawyer may work for some time with individuals, building a client base and networking. Having gained experience, it is worth moving on to opening an organization. At the same time, current expenses can be reduced by hiring a full partner. To do this, you will need to find a professional specializing in several other services.

In the cost items for opening a legal business of zero, it is necessary to include the costs of an advertising company.

A partner can become a co-founder, in which case he will bear part of the costs of organizing a business. At the same time, everyone will earn a reputation in their field, and work honestly for the benefit of the company.

How to open a law firm from scratch for someone who is not related to jurisprudence? The answer is simple - to hire employees, professionals in the field of legal services. persons. To start, you will need at least 2-3 people in the state. Support staff do not have to be permanently on staff. From the point of view of minimizing costs, it is more profitable to periodically resort to the services of cleaning companies and accounting firms. To establish and maintain office equipment, it is also necessary to invite an IT specialist from time to time.

Where to look for clients

To connect with the target audience, it is necessary to put into action all communications. This is necessary to attract a flow of customers, and make a profit.

Advertising

In the cost items for opening a legal business of zero, it is necessary to include the costs of an advertising company. Outdoor advertising in the form of signs and pillars, advertising in local print media, posting information about the opening of a company on the Internet will be effective.

Promotion

What methods will help to quickly and effectively attract clients to legal business services:

1. Creation of a company website. The next step will be SEO-promotion of the site for its quick detection by search engines. A good effect will be given by filling the site with contextual advertising from Google or Yandex services. The result of these activities will appear in less than a month;
2. Participation in online consultations. There are many services on the Internet to help a budding law firm. By answering the questions of those who wish, you can find customers. The main thing is not to forget to leave contacts;
3. To promote such activities as the provision of legal services for business, it is advisable to conduct trainings and seminars with the management team of potential client firms;
4. Cold calls help you find those who need legal services. The target audience for making calls is small businesses, more precisely small and medium-sized companies that cannot afford the maintenance of a full-fledged legal department;
5. Targeted mailing. The mailing list includes pre-prepared business proposals with a list of services and established prices.

Costs and payback

Before you open a legal consultation from scratch, you need to carefully weigh the financial possibilities and draw up a detailed business plan, including an expense item.

After that, you can proceed to the distribution of available funds, the search for premises and the purchase of equipment. The costs of this business are divided into capital and monthly

Capital expenditure

1. Business registration - 5000-10000 rubles.
2. Purchase of equipment - From 100,000 rubles.
3. Payment for the services of an IT specialist for setting up equipment - From 10,000 rubles.

In total, capital expenditures will amount to 115,000 rubles.

Monthly expenses

1. Payroll for employees - 30,000-40,000 rubles. to each employee
2. Office rent - From 25000 rub.
3. Advertising - 10,000 rubles.
4. Telephone, Internet, utilities - 3000-5000 rubles.
5. Consumables - paper, other stationery - 2000 rubles.
6. The work of support staff - From 2500 rubles.

In total, without counting on unforeseen expenses per month, expenses from 105,000 rubles are coming.

Business payback

Based on the average cost of a lawyer's consultation or payment for a prepared document, which varies between 600-7,000 rubles, we can conclude that the monthly income will be from 150,000 rubles. up to 250,000 rubles. The business will pay off within 3-6 months.