178 / 424
GAZETTE
MAY/JUNE 1995
clients behalf and how much it is
costing the client.
Information and Training
A booklet of information is often a
good idea. The booklet should include
office hours; out of hours phone
numbers; an explanation of fees and
services on offer. It should invite clients
to ask questions. A solicitor practice
should invest in staff training. All staff
should be well trained and hire the best
receptionist you can afford. Business
can be lost because the receptionist is
not well trained. Look at how long
clients are kept waiting in your practice.
A simple factor like this can influence a
prospective client. Anticipating and
satisfying clients needs is the secret to a
successful practice. The solicitors'
profession is very competitive and one
must use proven marketing skills to
have a successful business in this
competitive world.
Panel Discussion
The Panel Discussion commenced with
Maurie Stack,
President of the Law
Society of New South Wales.
Maurie Stack
is a litigation solicitor,
and runs a large successful family
practice. He said that when one is
recruiting solicitors one must take into
account their warmth for people. He
also said that the name of a firm is
important. It must change with the
changing nature of the firm. His firm
now called Stacks Law Firm produces
merchandising items such as t-shirts,
caps etc. and also indulges in T.V.
advertising!
Kenneth Ross,
President of the Law
Society of Scotland said that most law
í firms in Scotland have not addressed
the area of advertising. However, the
Law Society of Scotland ran a
promotional campaign to raise the
j awareqess of solicitors among the
i public. The slogan ran "it is never too
early to phone your solicitor". This was
an extremely successful campaign.
Kenneth Ross
said that in Scotland there
was a very liberal regime in regard to
advertising. Unfortunately, a lot of
advertising was done on the basis of
dropping price and there is no bottom
j line as to how far some solicitors are
prepared to go.
Aidan Canavan,
President of the Law Society of
Northern Ireland said that a solicitor
should not advertise a fee which is
: uneconomical to apply. It results in
buying clients from other solicitors and
the membership ends up paying for it
by Professional Indemnity insurance.
Charles Elly,
President of the Law
Society of England and Wales said that
most solicitors get most of their
business by word of mouth. The Law
I Society of England and Wales gives the
j following advice to members - give a
; good service to existing clients and this
convinces others to become clients.
; Spending money on getting new clients
and not being able to cope is not to be
recommended. The Law Society of
! England and Wales produces
; newsletters which members can send
; out to clients.
Marketing for solicitors
written by
Matthew Moore
has been
published under the aegis of the Law
Society. They help members to promote
! their practice and look after clients as
j this has the knock-on effect of reducing
the number of complaints.
Aidan Canavan
said that the Law
I Society of Northern Ireland has a Law
Society Quality mark with regard to
conveyancing. All solicitors who have
the quality mark must carry out a
! conveyance in a particular way and
; officers of the Law Society check that
S this is so.
Pat O'Connor
from the floor
felt that this may be seen as more
; regulation if the Law Society of Ireland
Í introduced such a scheme.
In conclusion the keynote speaker said
that solicitors need to communicate
more effectively with clients. Solicitors
should ask clients: why did they come
here? and are they satisfied with the
service transacted?
Social Events
A selection of activities were arranged
for Friday afternoon. One could choose
from: golf, fishing, a hike (specially
| arranged by
Brendan Walsh,
Solicitor),
: a tour of Muckross House or clay
pigeon shooting and archery. On
I Saturday a most enjoyable trip across
i
j the Gap of Dunloe was arranged. This
j
included a trip by pony and trap and a
boat trip on the lakes of Killarney. The
! weather was favourable which added to
the spectacular scenery. We all enjoyed [
Irish stew especially arranged at Lord
Brandon's Cottage by the Society.
Í The Conference culminated with the
Annual Conference Banquet on
Saturday night with dancing to
Paddy
Cole and his orchestra.
We all said our
goodbyes on Sunday morning. The
President
Paddy Glynn
was especially
glad to see a number of younger
members attending for the first time and
he hopes that there will be more at next
years conference.
See you next year.
| Catherine Dolan
Public Relations
Executive.
Doyle Court Reporters
Principal: Áine O'Farrell
Court, Conference, AGMs,
Business Meetings, Arbitrations.
Verbatim Reporting - Daily Transcripts
2, Arran Quay, Dublin 7. Tel: 872 2833 or 286 2097 (After Hours) Fax: 872 4486
'Excellence in (Reporting since 1954
154