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Question:
I am the owner of an estate planning firm in San Rafael, California. There are two associates in the firm, two paralegals, and two legal/administrative assistants. I am 58 and still going strong and not planning on retiring in the near future. However, I would like to get a sense of the current value of the firm and what we could be doing to enhance the value of the firm as well as seeking potential buyers or merger partners. Any comment that you might have would be appreciated.
Response:
When it comes down to it the value of a…
Continue Reading Law Firm Value – What is a Firm Worth

Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyerAn intent to deliver charge in Illinois is serious, but keep in mind that a charge is not a conviction. The state has to prove specific things beyond a reasonable doubt, and the evidence they rely on can often be challenged. If you are facing an intent to deliver charge in 2026, a Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer can help you understand what the prosecution has to prove and where the case against you may be weak.
What Is an Intent To Deliver Charge in Illinois?
Intent to deliver is a drug charge that goes beyond simple possession. Under…
Continue Reading How Do I Fight an Intent To Deliver Charge in Illinois?

Question:
I am the managing owner of a three lawyer estate planning and estate administration firm in Nashville, Tennessee. There are three paralegals, a receptionist, a bookkeeper, two legal assistants, and a firm manager working at the firm. Our estate planning has for many years been billed on a flat rate basis. Our effective rates have been and continue to be much lower than our time bill rates and this is having a very negative effect on firm profitability. Should we consider billing estate planning matters on a time bill basis? I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Response:
I…
Continue Reading Estate Planning Firm – Flat Fee Effective Rates

Question:
I am a partner in a three partner firm in Fresno, California. We handle exclusively personal injury plaintiff work consisting of auto accidents, slip and fall cases, premises liability, etc. We do not handle medical malpractice, products liability. or mass tort or class action cases. We have no associates working in the firm at the present time. While we have had associates in the past we have not had good experience in recruiting and retaining associates. In addition to a receptionist we have four paralegals.
I am 73 and still trying cases and my other partners are 62 and…
Continue Reading Law Firm Succession and Transition – What is the Best Strategy?

Chicago criminal defense lawyerAggravated battery is a more serious version of battery. In Illinois, a basic battery charge involves making physical contact with someone in an insulting or harmful way. Aggravated battery happens when certain factors make the offense more serious in the eyes of the law. It is charged as a felony, which means the stakes are high.
Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05, Illinois law lays out a long list of circumstances that turn a battery into an aggravated battery, and the specific facts of your case determine which category applies and how serious the potential penalties are. If you are facing…
Continue Reading What Is Aggravated Battery and How Is It Charged in Illinois?

Question: 
I am the owner of a three attorney general practice firm in Chicago, Illinois. The other attorneys were recently hired associates right out of law school. We have two legal assistants, one paralegal, and a receptionist/bookkeeper. I manage the firm and practice law. I am finding it more and more difficult to do both and I am discovering that I enjoy managing and running the business more than I do practicing law. I would like to spend all of my time to running and managing the firm. Your thoughts are welcomed.
Response: 
You are not alone. This is a…
Continue Reading Law Firm Owner – Lawyer or Businessperson?

Question:
Our firm is a 24 attorney firm in Memphis, Tennessee.  We have 10 partners – five of which are in their early 60s. We represent small to mid-size business clients. Recently we have been discussing the eventual retirement of the senior partners and approaches to client transition. We would appreciate your thoughts.
Response:
Client transition involves different challenges that have to be overcome in order to successfully transition client relationships. Consider the following challenges and hurdles:

  • Relationships take an investment of time and must be nurtured on behalf of the parties making the introductions and connections as well as the parties

    • …
    Continue Reading Law Firm Succession Planning – Client Transition in a Multi-Partner Firm

    Cook County, IL CDL violation defense lawyerYour commercial driver’s license is more than just a license. It is your livelihood. Losing it, even temporarily, can mean losing your job, your income, and your ability to support your family. CDL holders are held to a much higher standard than regular drivers, and certain traffic violations can trigger disqualification even if the violation happened in a personal vehicle. 
    According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, CDL holders must meet strict requirements under 49 CFR Part 383, which sets federal standards for commercial driver licensing across all states. Illinois mirrors these federal standards under 625 ILCS 5/6-514…
    Continue Reading What Traffic Violations Can Disqualify a CDL in Illinois?

    Question:
    I am the owner of a small estate planning firm in Columbus, Ohio. Besides myself there are two associates working in the firm. I am 67 and the associates are in their early-fifties. I am planning on retiring in the next couple of years and moving to Florida. I would like the practice to continue after my retirement and I would like to (in order of priority):

    • Provide a home for my employees and for their future employment.
    • Provide ongoing and future services for my clients.
    • Receive some value for the goodwill for my practice.

    What is my best…
    Continue Reading Law Firm Practice Sale to Another Firm or Merger v.s. Internal Sale to Associates

    Question:
    I am a partner in a six-lawyer plaintiff personal injury firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. There are three equity partners and three associates in the firm. We are in our 20th year of practice. The equity partners are in their mid fifties and our associates are in their late 30s and early 40s. The firm started out as a general practice firms and ten years ago we began focusing one hundred percent on personal injury plaintiff work. Our cases range from typical auto accident and slip and fall cases to medical malpractice, product liability, and complex catastrophic injury cases. While…
    Continue Reading Non-Lawyer Ownership and Investment in Personal Injury Plaintiff Law Firms

    Question:
    I am a partner in a eighteen – lawyer insurance defense firm in Houston, Texas. There are ten equity partners and eight associates in the firm as well as an office manager/bookkeeper and six other paralegals/legal assistants. We started the practice nine years ago. Other than administrative matters handled by our office manager, the management of the firm is handled by involvement of all the partners. Currently, we are getting more and more frustrated with this method of governance and management. It takes forever to make decisions and the quality of our decision-making leaves a lot to be desired.
    Continue Reading Law Firm Management Structure for a Small Insurance Defense Law Firm

    Cook County, IL DUI Defense AttorneyIn Illinois, police can arrest you for DUI without field sobriety tests. If an officer believes you are impaired based on what they see and hear, they have the authority to place you under arrest. No roadside test is required. This surprises a lot of people, but it happens more often than most drivers realize.
    If you’ve been arrested for DUI in 2026, our Chicago, IL DUI defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and what comes next.
    What Does Illinois Law Say About DUI and Impairment?
    Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, a person can be charged with DUI…
    Continue Reading Can Police Arrest Me for DUI Without Field Sobriety Tests?

    Question:
    I am the sole owner of a 20 lawyer litigation firm in Chicago. There are five seasoned non-equity partners and fourteen associates in the firm. I am 63 and trying to figure out what to do with the practice. While I am not ready to retire in the next several years I do want to slow down and be retired in five to seven years. How should I approach my transition and exit from the firm? You feedback would be appreciated.
    Response:
    You have a valid concern that is shared by many.
    The pending retirement of the baby boomer…
    Continue Reading Law Firm Owner’s Transition and Exit Strategies – Clients and Management Roles

    Question: 
    I am a partner in a 30 lawyers insurance defense firm in Phoenix, Arizona. We have 7 equity partners, 10 non-equity partners, and 13 associates. We represent insureds through insurance companies that are our clients and pay our bills. We also represent self-insured companies as well. Our firm is in second generation. The original founding partners have all retired and they are the ones that brought in all of the clients and managed and ran the firm. The firm was primarily run by a strong managing partner. Since the founding partners retired we have been struggling in managing the…
    Continue Reading Law Firm Leadership – Midsize & Smaller Firms

    Question:
    Our firm is a two partner general practice firm in Akron, Ohio. I am 70 and my partner is 68 and contemplating retirement in the next few years. There are no other lawyers in the firm. We have two paralegals, one bookkeeper, and a receptionist. We have tried associates in the past but after we train them up they leave and go to larger firms. Our main concern is that we want a future home for our employees and our clients. We have been discussing whether a merger would be a good option for us. It seems that we…
    Continue Reading Law Firm Succession and Exit Planning – Merger Option for Small Firms

    Question:
    I am a partner in a five lawyer firm in Columbus, Ohio. There are two partners in the firm and four associates. Our practice specializes in corporate business law and is one hundred percent transactional. We do not do any litigation work. Several of our associates started in BigLaw. All of our associates have been practicing for over ten years and some longer than that. None of our associates bring in – originate any client business. They are paid salaries and discretionary bonuses. While we have a billable hour requirement of 1600 hours none of our associates are even…
    Continue Reading Law Firm Associate Compensation and Bonuses – Salaries & Fee Production