Operating a Paralegal Firm

Operating a Paralegal Firm

Olga Leyenson
Available

Each video in this three-module series is CPD accredited for 1h and 30m of Professionalism Content.

Are you interested in running your own paralegal business or growing your established business’s client base? Opening and operating your own practice makes you a self-employed paralegal, but it also makes you a business owner. Join us for a three-module CPD series on opening, marketing, and maintaining a paralegal business. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in the paralegal profession, Olga Leyenson offers practical guidance on what it takes to run your own practice, from creating a sound financial plan and effective marketing strategies to setting fees and attracting new clients. Register today and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to run your own practice in a competitive and ever-evolving legal landscape.

Please note that these are introductory-level webinars and are best suited for those who do not already run their own practice.

Students enrolled at a recognized institution save 25% on registration when they enter promo code OPF-STUDENT in checkout.

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Digital

Opening a Paralegal Business (Video)
$85.00
  • Date(s) & Location(s):
  • Status: Available
Marketing Your Paralegal Business and Generating Clients (Video)
$85.00
  • Date(s) & Location(s):
  • Status: Available
Growing Your Paralegal Business (Video)
$85.00
  • Date(s) & Location(s):
  • Status: Available

Supplements

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Bundles

Operating A Paralegal Firm 3-Part Series Bundle (Video)
$199.00
SKU
CPD0007
Status
Available
Subjects
CPD; Legal Practice Skills and Management
Tags
Practice Paralegal

Opening a Paralegal Business

  • How to register your paralegal business with both the government and the LSO.

  • How to develop a sound business plan, including strategy, marketing, and SWOT analysis.

  • ​How to develop a solid financial plan (sample included).
     

Marketing Your Paralegal Business and Generating Clients

  • How to successfully advertise your paralegal business while meeting LSO marketing requirements.

  • How to communicate your legal fees.

  • How to perform thorough conflict checks.


Growing Your Paralegal Business

  • How to set appropriate legal fees for your type of business.

  • How to effectively manage and communicate with clients.

  • How to maintain books and records, including LSO requirements.
     

Each 90-minute program also includes a Q&A session.

  • Ontario paralegals who are interested in running their own business but need some guidance from an experienced paralegal business owner.

  • Ontario paralegals who run their own business but are looking for ways to increase their client base, efficiency, and overall success of their business.

  • Students from Ontario paralegal programs who wish to refresh their knowledge, prior to opening their own business.


Opening a Paralegal Business

  1. Business Structures

    1. By-law 7

    2. Sole-proprietorship

    3. Partnership

    4. Limited Liability Partnership

    5. General Partnership

    6. Professional Corporation

    7. Association and Affiliation

    8. Multi-Discipline Practices and Partnerships

  2. Government Requirements

    1. Business registration/incorporation

    2. Business number

  3. Law Society Requirements

    1. Business Name

    2. Certificate of Authorization for Professional Corporation

    3. General partnership to Limited Liability Partnership

  4. Developing a business plan

    1. Defining your practice

    2. Goals and strategy

    3. Market assessment and marketing plan

    4. SWOT Analysis

  5. Developing a financial plan

    1. Start-up expenses

    2. Anticipated expenses

    3. Anticipated income

  • Downloadable supplements include:

    • LSO Business Registration Forms

    • A sample financial plan

    • A sample business plan


Marketing Your Paralegal Business and Generating Clients

  1. Marketing and advertising rules for Paralegals

  2. Where and how to advertise (including samples)

    1. TV, Radio, Print

    2. Social media and emails

    3. Network and community

    4. Court/tribunal decisions re advertising in the legal profession

  3. Advertising legal fees

  4. Screening clients and conflict of interest

  • Downloadable supplements include:

    • A sample conflict checking database

    • A conflict checking database template

    • LSO advertising compliance checklist


Growing Your Paralegal Business

  1. Determining legal fees

    1. Rule 5.01(1) and Case Law

    2. The math behind the hourly rate

    3. Block fees, flat fees, hourly fees

    4. Contingency fees

      1. Limitations: Rule 5.07 (7), statutes

  2. Managing Clients

    1. Rules 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, 3.08

    2. Communication and reporting

    3. Retainer Agreement and Non-engagement letters

    4. Withdrawing from services

  3. Maintaining books and records

    1. Client identification and verification- By-law 7.1, s. 23 (14)

    2. By-law 9, s. 23

  4. Annual Law Society compliance

    1. Renewal of Certificate of Authorization

    2. Annual Report - by-law 8

    3. CPDs - by-law 6.1

    4. Annual license fees - by-law 5

    5. E&O Insurance - by-law 6

    6. Practice Audits (using Paralegal Basic Management Checklist from the LSO)

  • Downloadable supplements include:

    • A sample client retainer agreement and non-engagement letter

    • A sample letter to clients and others for withdrawing from services

    • LSO-compliant sample forms for client identification and verification

 

LSO-Accredited

LSO CPD Accreditation
Each program contains:

  • 1.5 hours of Professionalism Content.

 

These recorded 90 minute webinars are available for a 180-day rental period. The videos can be accessed instantly after purchase from your Digital Purchases dashboard. Accompanying presentation PDFs are available for download.


“From registration to proper advertising wording and determining our legal fees, Olga’s advice was invaluable. If you haven’t registered for this CPD yet, hurry.”

—Jenny Babayev, Jade Legal LLP




 

Related Resources

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Trauma-Informed Legal Interviewing

Journal of Paralegal Access to Justice, 2021 Edition

Journal of Paralegal Access to Justice, 2022 Edition

Practice Management for Paralegals, 2nd Edition

The Legal Professional Career Guide