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GAZETTE
JULY/AUGIJST
19
A Forum for New
Firms
by
John Schutte, B.C.L., Solicitor
While chatting to a colleague over lunch about the
mutual problems which we both experienced as a result of
having set up in practice I realised that many other young
solicitors had set up during the last year or two and that
they must all be going through the same "teething
problems". As a result of this conversation we decided to
contact a number of our friends who had recently
established their own firms with a view to setting up a
discussion group.
What resulted from these tentative enquiries turned out
to be something more exciting and enthusiastic than
either of us had ever thought possible. Most of the
recently established firms were one or two man practices
whose principals had said that they had become very
isolated after setting up. Many of the people we contacted
had worked as salaried assistants in larger firms and now
found themselves cut off from their colleagues. As a result
they were excited at the possibility of meeting other
solicitors to discuss legal and administrative problems.
Self Help
We decided to call the discussion group "FORUM" as
it would be a meeting place for different ideas. The idea of
"FORUM" was to allow solicitors to come together on a
regular basis and to air their views, exchange ideas and
generally help each other with the problems which we all
had to face in going into practice, developing our business
and providing a better service.
"FORUM" was intended to supplement the services of
the Law Society and various Bar Associations which have
to look after the interest of the profession as a whole
rather than a relatively small section of the profession
such as newly established firms.
Hopefully, the experience which we have had in setting
up "FORUM" might encourage other groups of young
firms to set up similar organisations in their locality
around the country as we feel the problems of setting up in
practice must be common throughout the country.
After two exploratory meetings of the group to focus
attention on problem areas, it became clear that
"FORUM" could help us in a number of ways. It could
help us improve our service to our clients, our office
efficiency, our life style and our bargaining power.
Improved Service
The improved service to clients came from the fact that
we set up a Directory of Members. The Directory
published the name, address and phone number of each
member and also any areas of specialised knowledge
presented by that member. It was agreed that members
would be free to telephone each other for an informal
second opinion on any legal problem. If some members
had a specialised knowledge they were expected to share
it. This meant that a client coming to one member of
"FORUM" would have the benefit of the knowledge and
experience of other members in an indirect way. This idea
of informal second opinions is very popular in the U.S.A.
We also came up with the idea of members sharing their
library facilities which would mean greater access to
information for each individual member.
Improved Efficiency
Improved office efficiency came partly through sharing
facilities such as outdoor clerks, photocopiers and
computers. Lectures and discussions have been held on
book-keeping, V.A.T., legal fees, and general business
development.
Improved Life Style
Members of "FORUM" found that they were working
longer hours by being self-employed and that they had
difficulty in taking holidays. By developing greater
efficiency in administrative matters such as book-keeping
and sub-delegating of work to outdoor clerks the long
hours could be shortened. We also reached an informal
arrangement whereby members who were going on
holidays would be able to have "Locums" to supervise
their office in their absence.
Many sole practitioners find themselves cut off
from their fellow professionals. "FORUM" meetings
always incorporate an aspect of socialising and last
Christmas a joint office party was organised for
"FORUM" members which was a great success.
Improved Bargaining Power
By grouping together as "FORUM" we found that we
could obtain discounts and better service from people
with whom we did business. Office suppliers were
prepared to give 10% to 15% discounts to members.
Communication companies offering Pageboy "Bleeps"
gave special group discount. Printers offered discounts or
free art work to our members. Other areas that come up
for discussion, but have not yet been acted on, are
negotiating special rates for service and maintenance
agreements on office equipment and also perhaps
negotiating special rates for professional indemnity
insurance and life policies.
Meetings
"FORUM" meetings are held every six to eight weeks.
Sometimes a guest lecturer is invited but members are
always expected to participate by contributing ideas. The
meeting does not try to come to a consensus on any matter
that is up for discussion and each member's views must be
respected. "FORUM" allows people to air their views and
exchange ideas. Each person will probably get something
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