How to Start & Build a Law Practice (Career Series / American Bar Association) [Paperback]

Jay G. Foonberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590312473 | ISBN-13: 978-1590312476 | Publication Date: April 29, 2004 | Edition: 5th Edition

A classic ABA bestseller, you'll find over 100 chapters packed with techniques for getting started.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: American Bar Association; 5th Edition edition (April 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590312473
• ISBN-13: 978-1590312476
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Education & Reference > Law
  • #46 in Books > Law > Law Practice

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but a little dated and choppy, April 29, 2006

By 

Willie V. Hughes (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Start & Build a Law Practice (Career Series / American Bar Association) (Paperback)

I bought this book before starting up my new law practice because it's one of really only two good books on opening a law office, and this one seemed to have the most praise.

On the positive side: (1) It appears that Foonberg really cares about the legal profession, and he would like to help future lawyers become better advocates and counselors for their clients. This is obvious in his writing style, and in his constant reminders that attorneys are in a service profession. (2) Foonberg really makes an effort to try and keep the book updated and relevant by offering new editions. Many authors would have just let it ride on a book written 20 years ago. (3) There aren't many attorney-authors that have really attempted to put together such a comprehensive and focused book specifically on opening a law practice.

On the negative side: (1) With all due respect to Mr. Foonberg, the current edition is very much a work of Dr. Frankenstein. It has been pieced and stitched together, with parts being swapped in and out. The book does not flow with a theme, and it appears the author has made so many revisions over time that the chapters have been inserted and removed simply as needed. My opinion is that the book needs to be completely rewritten from the ground up. (2) Despite his best efforts to stay current, many of Foonberg's ideas are terribly outdated. For example, his chapter on Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) consists of essentially a paragraph. My PDA is not only my complete calendaring and docketing system, but it is also a significant part of my client conflict checking system, and it contains all of my "to do" or task lists. Foonberg also makes numerous references to some office equipment and stationary production techniques that I don't think are even in existence anymore. (3) The book needs to stay more current on discussing the internet and how it's changed the legal profession. I've talked to some small practitioners in larger cities who get 90% of their new clients from the internet. I also know that many attorneys have replaced the traditional law library (a very expensive entire wall of books) with free access to legal reference materials and case law on the internet.

Overall, I still think my purchase and reading of this book was one of the best investments I've made into my practice. I also applaud Foonberg for continuing to work on the subject. With a major revision, this book could be a huge service not only to all future lawyers, but to all of the people in this country looking for a dedicated attorney to help them with their legal needs.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Foonberg is about the only Mentor that I've found..., July 17, 2000

By 

Jefferson Davis (Topeka, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Start & Build a Law Practice (Hardcover)

I'd heard of this book from time to time during law school. It was kept in the "Career Services" office and could only be checked out for a weekend, like anyone had time to read it during lawschool, or over a weekend. I found myself tracking down an old copy of this book within my first few months of solo practice. When I learned that there was a more recent edition I bought it, even though I couldn't spare the $$. The book is dated (although the latest edition has been revised to some degree) and inapplicable in many respects to lots of new attorneys (Mr. Foonberg cut his legal teeth in Hollywood, CA.) HOWEVER, I would consider this book the Bible for any new, mentor-less, solo practitioner. If you're thinking about buying it, BUY it, even though it's too expensive. You'll probably be glad that you did. It could be all that comes between your neophyte-lawyer-hiny and the Disciplinary Committee. I have the new edition in my office and I consult it frequently. I have copied and used many of its example letters, forms and strategies. Mr. Foonberg's advice has saved me time, heartache and the ravages of clients who have no intention of paying me, or worse, clients who are just plain nuts. I take Mr. Foonberg's sage advice frequently and I must say that, in my limited experience, he has proven to be SO RIGHT about many aspects of the practice of law. If you cannot afford this book, check your local public library or the law school library to see if it has a copy. At least read the chapters on how to choose clients, how and when to bill and especially what clients NOT to take. Mr. Foonberg is about the only Mentor that I've found.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most dog-eared book I own..., September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Start and Build a Law Practice: Millennium Fourth Edition (Paperback)

Grandmaster Foonberg is at the top of the law practice "how to" food chain with How to Start and Build a Law Practice. Frankly, I own not the millenium model but the Third Edition (it was a little weak on the technology side), but the lessons taught by the mythical Foonberg are invaluable - foremost among them: "it's better not to do the work and not get paid than to do the work and not get paid." Just too much here to miss, all put together in small vignette-style chapters. Lots of substance. A MUST have for lawyers. Get it!