We recently connected with Jason Epstein and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jason thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Early in your career, how did you think through the decision of whether to start your own firm or join an established firm?
If you’re thinking of starting your own law firm, get ready to have your mind blown. You have to do everything. And I mean everything.
I remember those days well. How do you set up an IOLTA account? How do you hire your first employee? Ever entered into a commercial lease before? Where do I get health insurance? How do I manage my books? Do I need to pay quarterly business tax to the municipality where my office is located?
Basically, everything was new, and there was no one else to do it.
I wouldn’t say you have to become an expert in everything, but you do need to become passably competent in all those tasks to get off the ground properly.
Cool, so now you’ve got your office open and your ducks in a row, but how do you get work? Making money is the goal, right? Well, to do that, you have to have clients that pay you or matters to work on.
Did I mention that legal marketing is one of the most competitive industries in America?
You’ve got some clients now, but you’re getting tired of answering your phones or performing repetitive administrative tasks. How do you hire someone? Have you ever done payroll before or paid taxes for an employee?
As you grow, things become exponentially more complicated.
Now for some good news. There is help out there. You’re not the first one to go through this. And, it’s not rocket science or brain surgery. It’s not even rocket surgery.
If you’ve caught that entrepreneurial bug and you’re going to take this journey, know that you can do it. It will take some work, and more time than you think it’s going to. But, you can do it.
Now for the surprise. There are those of us out there who want to see the next generation build their dream firms, and we will help you learn from our mistakes. Hit us up and you’ll be surprised at the information we will freely share.
A rising tide lifts all boats.
Jason, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into law started with a simple desire to help people. I saw how overwhelming and confusing the legal system could be, especially for those who had already been through a traumatic experience like a car accident. I wanted to make a difference, to level the playing field, and ensure that everyone had access to quality legal representation, regardless of their circumstances.
At Premier Law Group, we focus on providing clear, straightforward advice and compassionate service. We believe in empowering our clients with knowledge, even if that means they don’t ultimately need our services. In fact, I wrote a book called “How to Settle Your Own Personal Injury Case” specifically for those who might be able to handle their situation independently.
What sets us apart? A few things:
Honesty and Transparency: We’ll tell you the truth about your case, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
Client-Focused Approach: We treat our clients like family, offering support and guidance every step of the way.
No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
Local Expertise: We have a deep understanding of Washington state law and a proven track record of success.
Commitment to Education: We believe in empowering our clients with information, which is why we offer resources like my book, “The Shocking Truth About Lawyer Advertising.”
I’m incredibly proud of the reputation we’ve built at Premier Law Group. We’ve been recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys and ACQ5 for our commitment to client care and legal excellence. But more importantly, I’m proud of the countless individuals we’ve helped get back on their feet after an accident.
If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney, I encourage you to do your research and choose someone who you feel comfortable with and who has your best interests at heart. Whether you choose Premier Law Group or another firm, remember that you deserve an advocate who will fight for you and help you get the justice you deserve.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
In my experience, there is some advice that on its face you can tell won’t work or is simply outdated.
As a younger Gen X’r, I came up as a lawyer practicing with people who fell into the ‘Baby Boom’ generation. Or as we lovingly call them now, ‘boomers’. That generation abhorred attorneys advertising or doing any form of traditional marketing. Their mantra was that the way to get more business as a young lawyer was, “Do good work and the clients will come.”
At the time, I instinctively knew that was wrong. For the most part, the lawyer’s client has no idea if the legal work being performed on their behalf is good or bad. What they will know is how the working relationship with the lawyer made them feel. Did they feel like the lawyer was in their corner and fighting for them, or did they feel like they didn’t know what was going on because the lawyer never talked to them.
But, the problem runs deeper than that. In general, people don’t talk to their friends and family about their legal issues and how they were handled by a particular attorney. It can be embarrassing to have to hire a lawyer, and there can be stigma involved with appearing litigious.
So, I’d flip the boomer advice on its head. In order to do good and help people, you must first have them become your clients. Treat your clients as human beings and help them get past their situation.
It’s not all about the work you do, but the way you make your client feel.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
At my law firm, our attorneys talk to everyone who calls with a legal issue.
This is very different than what other law firms do. Most lawyers only talk to people who meet certain criteria. My lawyers talk to everyone. Yes, even that person calling because they want to sue the state of Washington because the police won’t investigate the UFO they saw.
Because we talk to everyone, our law firm tells callers what they don’t (but should) hear from other law firms.
In my experience, callers are grateful that we took the time to explain. They sometimes leave us reviews for the effort.
I would never suggest that another law firm change its processes. Talking to all callers takes up much time, and I’ve structured my law firm to handle calls this way. However, I think it’s important to respect all callers and treat them like I treat a caller with a case.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plg-pllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierlawgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premierlawgroup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongepstein/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PremierLawGroup
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/premier-law-group-bellevue-2