@RachRodgersEsq
January 11th, 2011
Owner, Rachel Rodgers Law Office
Author, My Lawyer’s Name is Rachel legal blog and Adventures of a Gen Y Solo Practitioner at SPU
Founder, Gen Y J.D.
Today we’re tweeting with Gen Y attorney @RachRodgersEsq, founder of Gen Y J.D. and The Cashflow’s “Entrepreneur of the Week”
- @RachRodgersEsq thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @RachRodgersEsq?
I’m a biracial New Yorker living in Cali, biz lawyer to GenY entrepreneurs, caffeine addict, traveler, dreamer, blogger, etc
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I have a business law practice dedicated to GenY entrepreneurs. Also have an Online Law Office that I am developing @ the mo
– - Exactly what type of clients do you represent?
Most of my clients are twentysomethings w/ businesses/non-profits in a whole range of industries incl tech, film, agro, etc.
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Not sure if its “legal” but ignorance. They get themselves into trouble trying to DIY their legal services. They need access
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That I’m always available to answer their Q’s & concerns and that my goal is to protect their interests so their biz is successful.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Helped a GenY’er buy her 1st biz. Seller was trying to screw her. I made sure she didn’t get screwed & still got the deal done.
– - Congratulations to both of you. Why do your clients hire you?
They hire me to help them make their dreams come tru. From forming a biz to resolving disputes, I’m on their team. Its pretty sweet!
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
New trend is Disputes w/ vendors or clients. Mainly b/c initial deal was done without a lawyer or proper contract.
– - Your law firm is designed for Gen Y biz owners and entrepreneurs. How does it differ from traditional firms?
Flat fees, online law office, free consultations, great customer service & me. I’m young like my clients so its not intimidating.
– - And how do the legal needs of Gen Y entrepreneurs differ from that of other clients?
Well, they need instant access to their lawyer & different levels of service to fit their varied stages of business & income
– - Makes sense. Why did you decide on flat fees for your legal work? How is that working out for you and your clients?
I chose flat fees b/c tracking billable hours sucks for me & not being able to control legal costs sucks for clients.
Its a win-win! Everyone is happy!
– - Win-wins are always good…. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
Exactly! I help GenY start and manage their own businesses. And I write a blog to inspire them as well.
– - Let’s talk about your blog (http://bit.ly/ehc5Zl) & site for Gen Y lawyers (genyjd.com). What drives that activity?
I love to write, love to help ppl & it lets clients get to know me;
GenYJD came about b/c many Gen Y lawyers were contacting me about how I started my practice.
Also, that link was wrong for my blog. Here’s the right link: http://bit.ly/hFFxZ0. I’m in the process of moving it. Sorry!
– - Useful info on both sites. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
I joined twitter to follow @carolynelefant & @scartierliebel so I could learn how to start my own practice;
Now I share resources & learn a ton from twitterville. Its an awesome little community that I love interacting with everyday
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Most of my clients find me after reading articles I wrote on sites like @Under30CEO & @the_cashflow. And also my own blog;
I’ve met strategic business partners on Twitter & FB. And its how I got a column on Solo Practice University.
Social media and Web 2.0 activities offer an amazing ROI.
– - Sounds like a successful effort…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Access to legal services and overpriced law schools.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Flat fees only and all law firms offering services online if I have anything to do with it. Less expensive law schools, too.
And hopefully no silly restrictions on lawyers use of social media. 😉
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d find some other way to help people live their best life. Its my calling. 🙂
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who helped others and left the world better than she found it. Oh, and rich. I want to be remembered as rich, too. 😉
– - I wouldn’t mind that either 🙂 What do you do when you’re not working?
I read voraciously, sell things on Craigslist (for fun!), travel, cook & cheer on the Jets in the playoffs (woo hoo!).
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Be an entrepreneur! Don’t be all “woe is me” Take control of ur life & recognize that you have the ability to make a living.
– - And finally, what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Ignore the rankings! Get the best grades possible & accept the fact that you may have to start your own practice to be a lawyer.
Solid advice for both groups. Thanks very much for tweeting with me; I enjoyed learning about you / your practice.
The pleasure was all mine! Thanks so much for creating ! Great way for us lawyers to learn and connect! 🙂
