My business partner and I founded Everyday-Legal four years ago. From the get-go, we knew what was important to us and how we would be different. For us, it was all about being approachable and affordable.
Our vision was clear from the start
Everyday-Legal provides legal advice and affordable court representation to clients in the Northern Rivers and surrounding areas. We work across all areas of the law including Local Court, AVO, Tribunal, Civil and Criminal.
Underpinned by our fundamental belief that everyone has right of access to justice, we operate on low overheads and costs – so that we can offer our clients fixed affordable fees, wherever possible
But the seed was planted a lot earlier
Before founding Everyday-Legal, I spent some time volunteering at a community legal centre, which was an invaluable learning opportunity.
More importantly, the experience helped me identify a gap in the market. I could see a real need for legal advice and representation for people unable to afford expensive lawyers – but not suited to Legal Aid.
And as it turns out, it also set me up for the future. Many of the people I met during that period now work at Legal Aid, which is a where many of our firm’s client referrals come from.
The early challenges were unexpected
Strangely, we didn’t encounter the typical challenges of starting a business – namely, finding clients. We are both business savvy and marketing came easily to both of us.
Instead, our biggest problem was underestimating the need for our offering.
Preaching the mantra ‘low overheads and lower costs’ we planned to run a minimal operation, mainly from our laptops and phones. But from day one, the phone rang off the hook and people were lining up outside our door. We immediately regretted not having more systems in place.
What it feels like to start your own law practice
Imagine jumping from a plane as it falls apart around you. You’re handed instructions and must reassemble the aircraft… then learn how to fly it before you hit the ground.
That’s what it feels like to start your own law firm.
I think back to the day I signed the admission register at the Supreme Court as a graduate – with a non-academic career history as a tennis coach and personal trainer. I was also a single mother, a few weeks away from giving birth to my second child.
But today, nearly four years on, I have an award-winning business in a profession that I love. As a side interest, I also have a vision to support other lawyers, particularly surrounding issues of mental health.
So, this is what I would say to anyone determined to start their own law firm: if I can do it, so can you!
My final pieces of advice
I believe there’s a fine balance between knowing what you’re getting into and knowing too much. But once you’ve made the decision, jump in, without hesitation.
Ultimately, your business is a reflection of you – your values, your work ethic and even your personal interests. That’s what will keep you motivated when times get tough.
Finally, I believe it’s fundamentally important to:
- Clarify your focus: Define your offer and stick to it. When you start out, it’s tempting to take any work that comes to you. The risk is that you’ll end up undercharging and undervaluing your service. We focus on family law, care and protection and crime. So, when we receive enquiries about tenancy disputes or conveyancing for example, we explain it’s not our specialty and refer them on.
- Do your groundwork: Understand your clients and their needs. Determine what you stand for and how you’re going to be different. But at the same time, maintain a little naïvety. Be prepared to do what needs to be done. Make no excuses. And don’t overthink it.
- Stay relatable: My clients don’t want to talk to a pompous lawyer and feel judged. I need to be approachable and accessible. Not distant or condescending.
- Get support: Surround yourself with like-minded people who understand what you’re going through. It’s the friends I met at the community centre that support me through all the tough times.
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