Jason Sullivan, admitted to the Bar in 2000 and a member of the New Lawyers Committee, recently won an essay contest sponsored by the ABA.

Through the ABA's Web site, Sullivan submitted an account of how Jay Foonberg's book "How to Build a Law Practice" helped him establish his own practice in Portsmouth, particularly during his first year. There were many entries from across the nation, with runners-up from Indiana, California, Missouri, Tennessee and Michigan. The winners were announced at the ABA annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia in August 2004. The following is Sullivan's winning entry:

"When I first thought of starting my own practice, I had no money, little experience practicing and certainly none running my own business. Someone told me about Mr. Foonberg's book. I purchased it, read it cover to cover and used it at least once a day for the first six months to one year of my practice. I credit it for my successful beginning and have recommended it many times.

To this day, I follow Mr. Foonberg's advice on billing and collections. I have never had one client question a bill and, in almost four years, I have uncollected legal fees totaling $235.00 (I know, I occasionally stray from the Foonberg Rule of getting retainers up front). The following is a true story:

During one of my very first cases, I defended a small business regarding a civil lawsuit initiated by one of their customers. My first bill was sent and I was quite nervous, as I was a new lawyer, new to running a business and unsure of how the bill would be received. My client called and said, "I received your bill today. I have no idea what any of these words mean, but for the first time ever, I know that our attorney is actually working for the money."

I have told this story many times and have emailed it directly to Mr. Foonberg, who responded to it, I believe, the same day.

I owe a lot to the family and friends who supported me during the first year or so of my practice, but I simply could not have succeeded without Mr. Foonberg's advice and guidance."

Jay Foonberg said that he liked the fact that Jason used the book once a day for the first six months and recommended it many times. For his entry, Jason received ABA Law Practice Management materials valued at approximately $800-and an autographed copy of Foonberg's book (fifth edition).

Several copies of Foonberg's book are available for NHBA members through the Bar's Law Practice Management Lending Library. Contact Member Services coordinator Melissa Childs at mchilds@nhbar.org to arrange a loan. Visit the For Members section at www.nhbar.org under Law Practice Management for a list of books available for lending and for information on obtaining a 20 percent discount on ABA LPM books.

Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store
Lawyer Referral Service | Law-Related Education | NHBA•CLE | NHBA Insurance Agency | NHMCLE
Search | Calendar

New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord NH 03301
phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
© NH Bar Association Disclaimer