The Happy Lawyer: How to Gain More Satisfaction, Suffer Less Stress, and Enjoy Higher Earnings in Your Law Practice [Paperback]

Larry Schreiter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Many practicing lawyers are in a state of misery.

America has nearly one million lawyers. One of three lawyers reports being dissatisfied with his or her working life. A majority complain of too little time for themselves or their families. Lawyers are four times as likely as the general population to suffer from depression, the highest incidence found among 105 occupations. Out of all the clients they work for or the matters they work on, lawyers reportedly either dislike or barely tolerate some 70% to 80%. Sole practitioners wonder where the next engagement will come from, find that time off comes at the price of an interruption of income, and are among the least satisfied.

The Happy Lawyer presents simple principles to enable lawyers to increase happiness.

The Seeds of Satisfaction Are in Every Lawyer's Practice. How to discover the core of a law practice that serves highest aspirations and values. How to choose the right clients, whose work will bring satisfaction and fulfill professional goals.

Focusing on an "Arena of Preeminence." How to develop a niche to distinguish oneself from the mass of generic legal service providers. How to dominate that market.

How Create A Plan to Take Control. How to increase free time. How to work only with clients and spend most professional time in that niche. Why clients will happily pay higher fees.

How to Attract the Ideal Clients. Developing a "Practice Purpose." Communicating that Purpose with a "spoken logo." How to use highly professional marketing techniques. How to obtain qualified referrals systematically.

Building Trust Through Breakthrough Communications. Distinguishing a practice with trusting relationships with clients using higher levels of communication. How to create a bond based on clients' values. How to work with the client to create the "Success Solution."

The Happy Lawyer's Practice. How "telescoping" time of the lawyer increases both productivity and time off.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A major problem facing lawyers is a sense of having lost control, and feeling that they are not really helping anyone. The Happy Lawyer encourages them to take control over their careers . . . and their lives!" -- Ronald W. Fox, Esq., Director of the Center for Professional Development in the Law.

"Any lawyer who follows the well thought out advice presented in The Happy Lawyer is sure to have new and positive feelings about their law practice. I recommend this book for those who struggle with feeling out of control in their practice." -- Shawn McNalis, Head Coach, Atticus.

"How could he put 'happy' and 'lawyer' in the same sentence? The answer is that Larry Schreiter has managed to put them both in the same life. Many of us are disillusioned and burdened by our practice of law; Larry's book is a gust of invigorating air which reminds us our practices -- and lives -- can be fun again." -- Douglas D. Germann, Sr., attorney and author of Simplifying Our Lives: Insights to Living Fully Now.

"Lawyers and clients deserve the benefits of Larry's approach." -- Jack Canfield, co-author of the New York Times #1 Bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

"The Happy Lawyer is a winner! It will give you insights into yourself and your practice that will not only help you become more successful, but will have you enjoying that success along the way." -- Michael Jeffreys, Author of Success Secrets of the Motivational Superstars.

"The Happy Lawyer" is full of good ideas and offers smart strategies. -- Washington Journal, March 27, 2000

"The key to success is not necessarily more clients, it is in having the right clients. Who are the right clients for you? And how do you get them to hire you? Read The Happy Lawyer and find out." -- Attorney David Ward, Author of Referral Magic: The Complete Guide to Attracting New Clients and Developing a Successful Law Practice.

"What a helpful book this is! It helps lawyers find the life satisfaction we all crave. Buy the book and do its work!" -- Geoff Bellman, Author of Your Signature Path: New Perspectives on Life and Work and The Consultant's Calling: Bringing Who You Are to What You Do.

"Written by a practicing attorney, this concise guide for lawyers provides you the best in business communications skills." -- Dr. Tony Alessandra, Author of The Platinum Rule and Communicating at Work.

Its strength is in prompting YOU to get a grip on your professional life. -- About.com Guide to Current Events -- Law, March 10, 2000

From the Back Cover

"The Happy Lawyer" is a winner! It will give you insights into yourself and your practice that will not only help you become more successful, but will have you enjoying that success along the way." Michael Jeffreys, Author of Success Secrets of the Motivational Superstars

"A major problem facing lawyers is a sense of having lost control, and feeling that they are not really helping anyone. The Happy Lawyer encourages them to take control over their careers . . . and their lives!" Ronald W. Fox, Esq., Director, Center for Professional Development in the Law

"Written by a practicing attorney, this concise guide for lawyers provides you the best in business communications skills." Dr. Tony Alessandra, Author of The Platinum Rule and Communicating at Work

"What a helpful book this is! It helps lawyers find the life satisfaction we all crave. Buy the book and do its work!" Geoff Bellman, Author of Your Signature Path: New Perspectives on Life and Work and The Consultant's Calling: Bringing Who You Are to What You Do

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Publishers (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967016509
• ISBN-13: 978-0967016504
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,382,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good stress reducer for lawyers, July 28, 2000

By 

Wayne D. Ford (Lincoln, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happy Lawyer: How to Gain More Satisfaction, Suffer Less Stress, and Enjoy Higher Earnings in Your Law Practice (Paperback)

For attorneys who feel stressed in their jobs, this is a worthwhile book. I would consider it recommended reading also for those considering a legal career.

Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D., author of "The Attorney's Guide to Stress Management" [e-mail]

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be realistic, February 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Happy Lawyer: How to Gain More Satisfaction, Suffer Less Stress, and Enjoy Higher Earnings in Your Law Practice (Paperback)

You guys all know that being a lawyer could be a very hectic and demanding job! This book doesn't deny that cliche-it helps you get the right picture about lawyer's world and for lawyers themselves, the rare chance to refresh their job. I think this book worth reading for whom are interested in legal career or for lawyers, of course!