tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249310992024-03-08T15:55:21.194-06:00OklahomaSoloOklahomaSolo is meant to be a documentary of the opening of an Oklahoma Solo law firm. It is meant to satisfy the voyeristic, solicit advice, serve as a model for those who wish to do the same.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-25374332946472393692007-06-03T21:58:00.000-05:002007-06-03T22:07:38.882-05:00Off and running!<a href="http://www.anthonyfirm.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/firm_logo.104142236_std.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.anthonyfirm.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/firm_logo.104142236_std.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Whew, Just wanted to let everyone know that just over a month ago I launched <a href="http://www.anthonyfirm.com">Anthony Law Firm, PLLC.</a> </p><p>My first month was fantastic. Dozens of new clients and just as many new legal issues. The small firm life suits me well. I get to meet with my clients and really get to know them. Just last week one of them actually gave me a hug. It caught me off guard at first but when I realized that he believed I was doing a good job and put his interests first, it all made sense. Oh yea...this is why I went to law school. So many lawyer jokes end with so many bad feelings toward the profession. However, I'm proud to say that that Payne County, Oklahoma is filled with honest and hard working lawyers and I'm as proud as anything else to be one of them. </p><p>So for all you who want to make the solo leap, take this as a bit of positive encouragement. Opening your own firm is easy and rewarding. As long as you think hard work is easy (read, looooooooong nights working while your family is sleeping) and rewarding is having a guy give you a bear hug on Main Street. </p><p>Well, I've got to be in court tomorrow morning on the Prelim docket and then back in the afternoon on the arraignment docket. See you there...or elsewhere!</p>Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1163712891651822242006-11-16T15:22:00.000-06:002007-03-14T10:32:05.356-05:00Whee! Away we go!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://boxman.awazo.com/photos/2006/20060215jumping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://boxman.awazo.com/photos/2006/20060215jumping.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Oh boy. Well I just resigned from the D.A.'s office. I guess I closed that door. My last day will be next Wednesday, just before Thanksgiving. They have all been so good to me and I enjoyed prosecutorial work so much that it was hard to cut that string. But I've got finals next in two weeks and then PMBR starts...after that Barbri and you know the rest.<br /><br />Belle, went into early labor last week so she is on bed rest and I'm trying to keep her prone so that baby stay's put until after finals. <br /><br />I've got a strong indication that I will have some title work to do once I get my card so I've got to get in gear on that area of my practice. There are 4 companies here in Stillwater that do titles so I've contacted each of them and asked if they would mail me the requisite paperwork to get "certified" by their respetive offices.<br /><br />Today, I took my lunch break and had some of the friendly and knowledgable people @ the county clerk's and assessor's office show me how all the land records were stored in Payne County. They were so nice and helpful.<br /><br />I cut classes yesterday and attended the OK bar meeting. I went to 6 different CLE classes and really enjoyed myself. Wish I could have gone all week, but I do still need to earn some $, so I came back to work Thursday and Friday. <br />Also, I've made some changes regarding office location and overhead costs so stay tuned.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1160404138539888102006-10-09T09:21:00.000-05:002006-10-31T16:37:58.120-06:00Tug o' War<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tug-o-war.asn.au/towtent200501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.tug-o-war.asn.au/towtent200501.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_MY_P_S/0_my_photographs_scotland_-_pitlochry_games_00962_tug-of-war.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_MY_P_S/0_my_photographs_scotland_-_pitlochry_games_00962_tug-of-war.htm&amp;amp;h=410&w=640&sz=34&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=W4gJTUN3YXBzwM:&amp;amp;tbnh=88&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTug%2Bof%2Bwar%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_MY_P_S/0_my_photographs_scotland_-_pitlochry_games_00962_tug-of-war.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_MY_P_S/0_my_photographs_scotland_-_pitlochry_games_00962_tug-of-war.htm&amp;amp;h=410&w=640&sz=34&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=W4gJTUN3YXBzwM:&amp;amp;tbnh=88&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTug%2Bof%2Bwar%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So I've been quiet. I've been thinking. I am really enjoying my D.A. days here in Stillwater. I think there may be an opening and I'm trying to decide if I want it. A few months ago one of the A.D.A.s left for another office. Then the D.A. moved yours truly into her old office, where I've been ever since.<br /><br />I am learing so much every day that I would really like to get hired on and learn even more...get some jury work under my belt, etc. However, I keep getting tugged by my desire to be solo. My soon to be arriving baby (December) makes me long for a steady paycheck. But I think that if we get comfortable with me having that paycheck then I'll never go solo.<br /><br />Anyway, my first trials are under my belt. And I'm as hungry as ever to finish and take that bar. I absolutely HAVE to pass that sucker the first time to avoid financial ruin so I'm doing all the courses I can.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1154100387795443442006-07-28T10:05:00.000-05:002006-09-20T18:24:48.756-05:00Announcing the Announcments that are to be Announced!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/Third_Ultrasound3_17_weeks___5_days.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/200/Third_Ultrasound3_17_weeks___5_days.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yep...IT'S A GIRL!!!<br /><br />Due date is December 24th. Nice timing, I know. Oh well...at least we won't be expected to drive all over tarnation to see the family this year.<br /><br /><br />Belle, Lola, and I could not be more excited. This baby will come 2 weeks after graduation and two months before I take the bar. That is scary, but I'm sure it will be fine.<br /><br />The house is still in progress. We remain in a temporary house because after 4 weeks of cleaning, bug spraying (6 times), fumigating, and painting our house is still uninhabitable. I'm expecting us to move in in 1-3 weeks depending on how fast we can get it in shape. (Keep your fingers crossed!)<br /><br />Also, the D.A.'s office has agreed to keep me on throughout the fall which is exciting. I still am loving the work, and learing every day.<br /><br />My creeping fear is that I have no experience in anything other than criminal law, but I've decided to bide my time and keep learning how to do criminal law for the time being and to let the other areas solve themselves at a later date. I still feel so lucky to be here.<br /><br />I spent this morning, as every morning, screening cases. The police reports and affadavits come in to the case managers and I decide whether or not to prosecute. If so, the charges are made and are sent to the Clerk's office. Then we go to court where I serve the defendants with the charges and the process begins from there.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1152890949633928592006-07-14T09:54:00.000-05:002006-08-20T09:48:13.463-05:00Payne County update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.the-orb.net/cartoons/court.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.the-orb.net/cartoons/court.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> Things are in full swing here. I've completed about 7 weeks on the job at the D.A.'s office and I can't imagine how anyone could practice without this kind of experince. I'm getting to speak in court every day. It is still exciting; however, I have not gotten to do any trials or hearings yet.<br /><br /> I've been learning the ropes for the last couple months and-- if I am to stay on after the summer, I'm going to ask for some traffice trials or motion hearings to get some differnt experinece. I'm still learning loads from my mistakes on the docket I do, but taking pleas and doing arraignments is starting to lose a bit of its luster and im ready to take a bit more responsibility. <br /> <br /> The Oklahoma court systems are all online and it is pretty cool to see my name on there as representing the state --for an example of a case last week see <a href="http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=158010&db=Payne">here.</a><br /><br />This legal intern's licence thing is such a great opportunity and any OK law student should seriously consider it. There are a lot of hoops to jump through to get the license but it is WELL worth it.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1150725320514448522006-06-19T08:37:00.000-05:002006-06-19T08:55:20.526-05:00Two words: "Dude....Dude"Wow...what a whirlwind! So I get tossed in arraignments and the Judge looks at me...expectantly. All I could think was--"man the neck of my shirt is really soaked". I'm not one for being nervy or one whose voice is known to crack in public, but my blood was really pumping. The pause was only about 1 second but I swear I had 15 distinct and lucid thoughts. I spoke loud and clear but caught myself before completing the genuflection.<br /><br />It was such a cool feeling to be able to speak for the State. Being on the "other side of the v" has been so much fun. I'm really getting to see everything that goes on before the charges are filed and that has been an experience (and continues to be) that I would reccomend to anyone.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1149038616848357402006-05-30T20:16:00.000-05:002007-03-02T19:50:04.770-06:00Movement Abounds!Lots of moving going on here...and as a result my internet won't be up for another 2 weeks. Basically, Belle and I spent the holiday weekend moving. She starts her job tomorrow and I am slated for swearing in on June 6th. (swearing in for legal intern license). My new job at the D.A.'s office is great. It's the worst pay I've had in over 12 years and I've never been happier. I'm really glad I went to law school. <br />I'll blog when I can (because I'm sure my legions of fans [sic] will be sitting by thier modems in anticipation.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1147960625594945442006-05-18T08:44:00.000-05:002006-05-25T18:59:41.633-05:00New Gig<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sai.state.ok.us/Images/Payne%20County.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.sai.state.ok.us/Images/Payne%20County.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Well I'm fresh after my first day on the job. It was fun. I can't believe how many people I knew...or knew me. (Stillwater is my hometown). It was great. Payne county has a great <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.barnfield.net/oklahoma/images/payne.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.barnfield.net/oklahoma/payne.html&amp;h=388&w=612&sz=96&tbnid=qpCfvnxIMGZ6AM:&amp;tbnh=84&tbnw=134&hl=en&start=2&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522payne%2Bcounty%2522%2Bcourthouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN">courthouse</a> and they have brand new courtrooms this year. Construction is still ongoing for the attached <a href="http://www.paynecounty.org/adobe/finishedproject.pdf">jail</a>. <br />It looks like I'll start doing the arriagnments first, then pick up traffic then regular misdemeanors. It might be "trained monkey" work..but it looks pretty fun to me. I was sad to see a couple of people I went to school with in orange jumpsuits yesterday. That is going to be hard for me to deal with. <br />My home/office will be about 1 mile down the road on the same street as the courthouse. <br />I love being back home. It feels great. (now I just have to move....)Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1147440513236744112006-05-12T08:04:00.000-05:002006-05-16T20:56:04.696-05:00DOWNPOUR!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://chichestersharks.co.uk/uploaded_images/downpour-798133.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://chichestersharks.co.uk/uploaded_images/downpour-798133.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>When it rains...it pours. It has been pouring buckets here. Belle got the job she wanted from OSU! Hooray Belle! Then I got the internship w/the D.A.! Belle starts the 31st of this month and I start Wednesday. <br /><br />So it looks like I'll be commuting until we can move (hopefully in a couple of weeks). Worst case scenario-either we both commute until July 1st (when our house will be available) or we find some temporary house in Stillwater. At any rate-these problems are miniscule compared to the hurdles over which we just leapt! <br /><br />I'm soooo excited to be working for the D.A. Stillwater is a small town and I'll get to know everyone by being w/the D.A. Also with the Interns license I can try non-jury trials--Yippee.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1147088670421717242006-05-08T06:26:00.000-05:002007-03-19T22:45:27.170-05:00Contributing factors...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.laplace.demon.co.uk/worry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.laplace.demon.co.uk/worry.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I assume it is common for us aspirational solos to stay up worrying about money. I feel kind of like talking about myself behind my own back. (That Luke guy...sheesh man...I mean, doesn't he see that it just ISN'T going to work...jeez...it's the numbers man-they don't add up) Or something like that.<br />Anyway to compoud the problem of being broke and trying to start a solo, we have the added expense of moving. So that meant that Belle had to quit her job and look anew. I'm proud to say that Belle has two interviews in Stillwater today! Hooray! Both are with Okla. St. Univ. so those benefits would be nice.<br />I am still unemployed. I have yet to hear back from the D.A. (though his office told me he was out of town last week) so I'm hopeful. So while Belle is interviewing today, Luke is going to be out hustling a job for himself. So wish us luck!Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1146750088682952762006-05-04T08:27:00.000-05:002006-05-04T08:41:28.696-05:00Got loans?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://asp.elitefts.com/images/upload/qa/man-pushing-boulder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://asp.elitefts.com/images/upload/qa/man-pushing-boulder.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Well I do. I'm graduating with about 100K in Federal loans and 40K in Private loans. It is terrifying. (because I don't have 140k). In fact I'm not even sure how to get that kind of money. Anyway...<br /><br />If you have more student loans than money then I have just the place to go. <a href="http://www.graduateleverage.com">GRADUATE LEVERAGE. </a>(GL). GL is a not for profit loan consolodation conduit. It was started by a group of Harvard MBA students who were fed up with the 3 card monty games that loan consolodation companies play. <br /><br />If you give these guys/gals your SSN (scary I know...but they are trustworthy...check them out on the <a href="http://www.bosbbb.org/reports/reliability_report.asp?FirmId=0000029124">Better Business Bureau</a>). They will look up all of your loans, then tell you who has the best deal--and how to go about applying for it. In many cases they even do a lot of the paperwork. <br /><br />In case you aren't hip on what is going on with consolodation--there is no more fixed rate options for us borrowers. However, GL was able (by using "leverage") to get last years lock in rates 2.85% for this years borrowers. <br /><br />This is pretty involved and there are a lot of issues...but look into consolodation. And when you look. Shop around, then compare these guys...they will be the best deal by far.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1146619866768401162006-05-02T20:08:00.000-05:002006-05-04T13:04:11.843-05:00Cheep Cheep.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/officechair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/200/officechair.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm cheap. I'm frugal. I think that paying retail for anything is self-treason. So I bought these 4 office chairs for $35 bucks --total. I got them from a couple of Irish exchange students leaving the country. I like the style (Belle is vying for a mod look to match the office). The fabric looks ok. Belle will likely restain espresso and put Orange fabric on (remember we are in OSU - Cowboy land). So the money saving tip o' the week is this: check the local postings at nearby campuses. As the students leave, they dump a phenomonal amount of office chairs/desks/computers/printers/etc. So get yours...!Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1146069728617509012006-04-26T11:26:00.000-05:002006-07-13T02:15:24.653-05:00Home office?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/OFFICE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/320/OFFICE.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/DSC00384.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/320/DSC00384.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ok so the house we are going to live in is unique in that it has 2 offices attached to it. The offices face Highway and the house is behind the offices.<br />The house/office building is huge and modern styled. The house offers 3 bedrooms and vast living areas - plus 2 "bonus" rooms that could be used as a home office (we can put in a separate entry).<br />Alternatively, I could take one or both of the offices giving me a bit better exposure and larger signage.<br />I wonder how important this is? The cost difference is about 8K per year...and I'm wondering if the highway front would bring in that much extra business.<br />For now, the tentative plan is to home office for the first few months and see if I can turn a profit--then think about expanding.<br />btw: we know the place needs work! But we will have almost a year to fix it up. Anyone wanting to help is welcome :)Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1145885864763292152006-04-24T07:56:00.000-05:002006-04-24T13:17:43.726-05:00Is it tomorrow...or just the end of time?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ict.tuwien.ac.at/pictures/backgrounds/purple_haze.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.ict.tuwien.ac.at/pictures/backgrounds/purple_haze.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Finals haze - all through my brain.<br /><br />Sorry to keep the blog so id focused lately, but I am allowed to stumble a bit during finals, right?<br />I've 7 classes. 4 take home - 3 in class finals.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">As of now I've 3 out of 4 take home finals turned in.<br /><br />On another note: Tomorrow is a big day - I was supposed to attend the Ok Bar<a href="http://www.okbar.org/cle/2006/2006-04-25seminarID531.htm"> Law office management seminar</a> in Oklahoma City. However I have to cancel because--<br /><br />I have an <a href="http://www.paynecounty.org/district_attorney.php">INTERVIEW WITH THE D.A.</a> in Stillwater (CHEERS). Very exciting! I really really really need a job. I need the money and the experience.<br /><br />Next, it is pre-enrollment for kindergarten---wow..that scares me more than opening up a law office.<br /><br />Then back to Tulsa for some coffee and corporate law (which is kind of like coffee - semi stimulating and likely to yellow your brain.)<br /><br />When I'm in Stillwater--I'll try to take pics of my future residence and (proposed) office for a future post. --honestly, how do you contain your excitment?<br /></div>Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1145406227496157442006-04-18T19:12:00.000-05:002006-04-22T21:01:00.353-05:00Hooray...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.erau.edu/omni/_cmsimages/degreeimages/admissionsdoor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.erau.edu/omni/_cmsimages/degreeimages/admissionsdoor.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Well I'm proud to say I've passed the legal intern exam. I wasn't sure I would...so a big sigh is in order. Now I am eligible to "practice" limited types of law so long as I find a supervising attorney. Sure wish I had one.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1145154128215132452006-04-15T20:55:00.000-05:002006-05-02T10:30:46.683-05:00UNVEILING!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hccaonline.org/images/26385337image.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.hccaonline.org/images/26385337image.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ok everyone. I have had a <span style="font-weight: bold;">TON</span> of emails wanting to see my business plan...so I'm gonna show it to you. There are 7 parts; you get 4:<br />But before I show you <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> have a comment. Your critiques are encouraged I'm glad to have all the advice I can read. So please feel free to rip it up...this is my first draft of a business plan so let's improve it together. Last note (the projected revenue on the pro forma is of course ---speculation, but I believe it is informed speculation. Based on my data my numbers are conservative to medium. Also, Special thanks to the MANY attorneys who gave me thier imput on this. OK here goes. Just click the links to view my uploaded Business plan.<br /><a href="http://www.gimehost.com/8a4R8nydg90hjLhVn2cA">Part 1: NARRATIVE</a><br />Part 2: <a href="http://www.gimehost.com/6QYXdrf0rVvYEmrt3rP2"> Pro Forma (w/office</a>) OR <a href="http://www.gimehost.com/nfrUq4QdHaRdtHPFCp7e">Pro Forma (home office) </a><br /><a href="http://www.gimehost.com/nZLYyCPvzvTuw9AxA53P">Part 3: START UP COSTS</a> (actual startup costs from actual quotes! -- this sheet is what the $7000.00 office supplies are in month 1.<br /><a href="http://www.gimehost.com/YfIFW5EYATGdu6pfPXfz">Part 4: RESUME</a> <br />Part 5: Personal finances (Sorry, not posting that)<br />Part 6: Misc (this is also not posted but is listed in the narrative:) Lease Agreements/ PLLC<br /> incorporation/ Actual quotes from various vendors/ et.al.<br />Part 7: Projected Balance Sheet: Not posting this either. It is basically a breakdown of<br /> assets/cash/liabilities/depreciations/etc...(not finished..and officially on hold until after<br /> finals!)Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144960569383099352006-04-13T15:17:00.000-05:002006-04-15T14:04:50.330-05:00Full Steam Ahead--><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://precisecyberforensics.com/Images/candle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://precisecyberforensics.com/Images/candle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />What a week! Belle and I announced to our landlord that we would be breaking our lease and moving to Stillwater. He was so supportive and kind. It goes to show you that if you pay your rent early every month,overseed the lawn, and plant flowers in the spring--even landlords can be generous!<br /><br />Also, we have started procedures to get our new residence in Stillwater. There is a family there now so I'm unsure how long it will take them to move on but we are shooting for June 1st.<br /><br />The Summer and Fall schedules came out this week. I have arranged my schedule so that I am only in Tulsa 2 days per week for each session. Sooooo....I should be able to get a reasonable part time job in Stillwater. (incidentally, no word from the Payne Co. DA...) I suppose the phone call and spectacularly packaged resume didn't get thier attention so I'll be making a personal call next week. Sometimes, you just have to wear them down until they reject or accept you.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'm taking the legal intern exam so if all goes well I should have my "limited license" all but in hand.<br />Next week I have two finals due and the following week it really hits hard. <a href="http://soloestate.blogspot.com">Eddie Mello</a> and I are still taking time to attend the OK-bar association's CLE <a href="http://www.okbar.org/cle/2006/2006-04-25seminarID531.htm">New Lawyer Experience. </a><br />Check out the program through the link...it looks very exciting. Eddie and I are justifying the trip on the assumption that we will quiz each other over corporate law on the 3.5 hour road trip.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144769034938089692006-04-11T10:06:00.000-05:002006-11-09T03:54:13.176-06:00Business Plan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/ARP/ARP103/Ostrich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/ARP/ARP103/Ostrich.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm almost done with my 1st year business plan. And I thought I'd pass along a few tips that were wind in my sails. This has been a HUGE endeavor and has taken so many more weeks than I though it would. Get a head start on this ASAP.<br />First Check out the business plan guide on my link (look to the right of your screen under links) . A business plan has two parts. Easy and Hard. The Easy part is the narrative. Telling a bank about your business, your location, yourself, etc. The Hard part is the financial statements. I'm no accountant--and had no idea where to start so I broke my financials into two parts: 1. individual cost of products/things and 2. fancy spreadsheets that clearly convey my expectations to a banker.<br />1.) Cost of things: If you've been reading OklahomaSolo you know how much my Yellow page ad will cost-- this is the type of legwork you will just have to do for yourself. One thing that can save you a lot of walking is to take a trip down to your local office supply store and get an order book. These books will walk you through every office item you need to open a law office and tell you how much you can expect to pay. So get out a pencil and write down a list of what you will be buying and how much it will cost.<br />2.) Unless you are an accountant your P&L (pro forma) projection will be baffling! You have to list everything that will be an expense to your business an compare them to your expected revenues. I suggest you go <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010175131033.aspx">HERE</a> to see one I like. Or you can search at the top of that page to see all the other forms Microsoft provides us for free.<br /><br />So lets review: To get a business plan together Start w/a template, use order books for prices, and use templates for spreadsheets. These three tips will save you days of time. At least they did for me.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144333540437176382006-04-06T09:05:00.001-05:002006-04-10T08:19:33.190-05:00Credit Check/Gut Check<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.reliacredit.com/images/site/rc/hdr_pp_ccr.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.reliacredit.com/images/site/rc/hdr_pp_ccr.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Want to start a law office? Me Too. Regardless of your knowledge of the law, we need <a href="http://pangea.org/abac/sq001.html">MONEY</a>! The most common place to get start up mony is from a bank. But before you go walking in and ask for some dough....find out what you are asking. What kind of credit risk are you? You need to pull your credit reports. Pulling your credit report used to cost money. Recently our government forced each of the 3 major credit bureaus give us one free credit report annually.<br />Yep, you can get a <a href="http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/ycr_free_reports.htm">free credit report</a> courtesy of the federal government. Thanks Congress!<br /> It is important that you pull all three credit reports and scan them for errors. Also, Do it now! It is very common for errors to be on a credit report...but getting the errors taken off can take over a year!<br /> When you apply for that loan the bank will pull your credit report. They will judge your creditworthiness based on that report. Don't go into that process blind. Know your credit and be ready to address any negative marks before your would be lender does.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144083624773058652006-04-03T11:56:00.000-05:002007-03-24T04:46:03.176-05:00Commuter News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.preshaa.com/archive/work/commute.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.preshaa.com/archive/work/commute.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Commuter news:<br />Belle and I have been having some gut wrenching talks lately about moving to Stillwater at the end of the semester. This presents some pros and cons. Since I'm kinda glass half empty minded, let's start with the negatives.<br /><br />Cons:<br />1.Commute: The drive from TU to Stillwater is 1.25 hours. I've still got to take 7 hrs this summer and 15 in the fall to graduate early so it would be a lot of commuting for me. The gas money could potentially bankrupt me, plus if my '95 Ranger falls apart I would be hard to replace it.<br />2.We really like Tulsa, friends, shopping, umberto's pizza, etc.<br />3.We really like our house. We have a great landlord and a bunch of herbs/vegetables that are wondering if we are going to plant them.<br />4.We are in the middle of our lease.<br />5.I have no idea where we would live in Stillwater. We already have a place to move next year...but I'm unsure if it could be avail. This summer.<br />6.Rent would probably increase. And I don't like paying more money.<br />7.No one has a job in Stillwater...(I hear jobs are helpful for those of us w/o monthly trust fund payments).<br /><br />Pros:<br />1.Living in Stw would help us get our network together and finally feel settled.<br />2. While commuting I can listen to 3hrs of NPR a day. Did I mention that I love public radio?<br />3.Allow me to gain some experience in the courthouse there. (I just sent my resume to a title company and the DA's office.---keep your fingers crossed).<br />4.Belle has applied for a few jobs, since she has worked in Stw for about ten years she has some contacts there who can help her.<br />5.My family is there. The Anthonys are such a prolific group in Stillwater, that there is practically an unincorporated “Anthony Foundation – Anthonys helping Anthonys” and I like the social/support system that accompanies a large family.<br />6.Fishing. Family pond/horses...barn karaoke (for my karaoke addicted Belle). It is fishing season and my father in law just gave me about a hundred bucks worth of tackle that is just sitting in my closet, (not many farm ponds around 31st and Harvard).<br /><br />Anyway, we've decided to move as soon as one of us gets a job paying enough money to pay our bills. But we are going to have to time this thing just right or we will spiral into financial ruin. I've quit my job in the PD's office so the apron strings have been cut. Stay tuned to see if we sink or swim!Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144037898019470322006-04-02T22:38:00.000-05:002006-04-03T08:01:57.280-05:00Pay now or pay later...but pay me now.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/MC%20logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/200/MC%20logo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>1 show cause hearing - 150 dollars<br />3 visits to county jail - 500 dollars<br />18 phone calls from clients ex wife - 225 dollars<br />Getting stiffed after plea agreement - Priceless<br /><br />When I told my Real Estate professor <a href="http://www.ellerdetrich.com/reynolds.htm">Lou Reynold</a>s that I would be opening up a solo following law school he gave me some advice I think is worth repeating. He said, "you need to remember --<a href="http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/Physics_A2/Module_4/Topic_8/bear-trap.gif">Trapping</a>, <a href="http://www.hormel.com/kitchen/images/refimages/chicken/skinning%20copy.jpg">Skinning</a>, <a href="http://www.how-to.com/Operations/debt.htm">Collecting</a>-- Because boy if you can't trap clients (find them in the wild) you are no lawyer. And if you can't skin your catch (effectively give legal advice) you are no lawyer. And if you can't Collect your bounty(get paid), you are no lawyer.<br />It is the collecting I'd like to talk about today. With all the trouble and endless complaints about getting clients to pay isn't it wonderful that Mastercard is there? There seems to be more and more lawyers that prefer to get paid up front with credit cards despite the fees associated with the privilege [sic] of accepting credit cards.<br />The rate at which they suck blood ...er charge rather....is disparate among firms. From what I can ascertain expect to pay around 1.75% - 3% plus a per transaction fee (about 25 cents) depending on type of card. A good tip that came up on Solosez last week was to comparison shop and make sure you look into your local bank (like the one with your client trust acct.).<br />If there is one thing I HATE it is paying money to anyone for anything...but here the tide of consensus is so overwhelming that even I must concede. However...I think I'll be encouraging Paypal, since their fees are supposedly the lowest.<br /><br /><br />Try this for a slogan. Your credit is good here, so long as it is secured.<br /><br />Any stories out there from OklahomaSolo readers about credit card experiences? Post a comment or send me an email!Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1144035454298794582006-04-02T22:32:00.000-05:002007-03-31T11:07:01.776-05:00Cropping up...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/crops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/200/crops.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Another solo blog has cropped up...check out <a href="http://soloestate.blogspot.com/">soloestate</a>, a blog about a 2L law student who plans on opening a law firm in TX focusing on Estate Planning. I especially like his <a href="http://soloestate.blogspot.com/2006/03/advertising.html">Top Ten Ad Tips</a>.<br />Good Luck!Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1143816389341126312006-03-31T07:52:00.000-06:002007-03-03T23:10:47.200-06:00FORMulate your future<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/will.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/200/will.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lets talk forms. Tulsa's law library (and I'm sure OU/OCU do also) has beaucoup forms from which students can learn. Of particular import is the OBA-form book. Here is a<a href="http://www.okbar.org/cle/formbookcontents.htm"> link</a> to its contents and order form:<br />A new form book comes out every year and you can purchase them from the above <a href="http://www.okbar.org/cle/formbookcontents.htm">link</a>...but in the mean time, why not peruse the free one.<br />Other form books include Vernons, etc.<br />Additionally, law student s with unlimited westlaw/Lexis access would do well to take full advantage of that access and explore the many practice forms avail. on those services. Familiarize yourself with how to find them quickly/easily to save you costs later on.<br />Hey and while your at it, grab that OBA form book and print yourself out an advance directive and an estate plan. No better way to gain experience than to fill them out for yourself.<br />NOTE***Other form links/websites/tips are especially welcome by OklahomaSolo.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1143731476510971272006-03-30T08:46:00.000-06:002007-03-03T07:49:32.280-06:00Yellow Pages, a good deal-of money<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/act9609swbyps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/320/act9609swbyps.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yellow Pages - I've recently gotten a few quotes from ATT Yellow Pages (formerly SWBYPS). In order for people to let thier fingers walk to my name it is gonna cost. Yellow page rates have jumped drastically over the past few years and competing phonebooks in many area haven't seemed to to calm the market. Hardened salespeople sell these ads and don't call unless you are ready to talk turkey...and money.<br />In Stillwater, I was informed that they "sell" that book in the fall with an ad deadline around October 1st. The book hits doorsteps on Dec. 1 and is good for 1 year.<br />They typically sell ads on a 12 month contract, (to avoid sticker shock).<br />PRINT COSTS:<br />Just By virtue of having a phone number...you will be in the yellow pages free! Remember that. And if you last name starts with an "A" then you will be near the front. So ha!<br />PER month prices<br />- Dollar bill size ad (1/4 page) $83.00 B/W $121.00 Color<br />- Full Page size ad $801.00 b/w $1042.00Color<br />- Dual Page ad: $1843.00 Color only<br />This is a ton of money. My friends/sources tell me that advertising pays. Just keep in mind that if you pull out a $1000.00 per month ad you just took a first year salary 12,000 dollar haircut.<br />NOTE: these rates are negotiable. This are the "MSRP" rates. The salesperson will be working off commission. A well placed bunt may get you to 2nd base.<br /><br />ONLINE COSTS:<br />SWBYPS' "Smart Pages" are online yellow pages that people search just like a book.<br />Cost: about 25 dollars a month.<br />Skinny: The sales rep told me that last year approx. 1800 people searched the Stillwater Smart pages for Attorney. I'm not exactly sure as to the value of this medium. Personally, I'm going to pass and put my money into my website.<br /><br />ONLINE ALTERNATIVES:<br />You can pay Google/Yahoo/MSN et. al. to have your domain "rise to the top" on thier search engines. This costs money. But I've a friend who does more Oklahoma internet marketing than anyone and he tells me that the business is coming in faster than they can take the money.<br />This takes time/money/ and internet sophistication that I believe is unavailable for most aspiring solos...but hey, your call. Comments on cost of this type of advertising are especially welcome.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24931099.post-1143655822654915242006-03-29T11:53:00.000-06:002006-04-04T20:58:30.563-05:00Double your money....Now!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/1600/brewster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1845/2594/320/brewster.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it back in your pocket" - Kin Hubbard<br /><br />LEGAL RESEARCH:<br />After meeting with my Westlaw rep this week I've decided that thier services are not for me. He said that I could expect to pay around 115 dollars a month for basic Oklahoma case law (with 10th cir. and US Sup. Ct.) with a two year contract. OUCH. That is a $2760 bill before I've even made my first dollar! Pass. <a href="http://www.oscn.net">www.OSCN.net</a> is still free and though not quite as search friendly as Westlaw...It'll Git r done.<br /><br />OFFICE EQUIPMENT:<br />Recently I got a fax quote from a very friendly copier salesperson...or leaseperson rather. Anyway, this industry is even more confusing than how cellular companies charge for minutes and coverage plans. You pay per copy after you first 5K copies. Plus you need a service agreement to guarantee service w/in 72 hours. Sheesh! I can't believe that you have to pay to have something serviced that they own. It is like buying your landlord a new fence. Fuggedaboudit.<br />I've been shopping the All in one machines at the office stores and there are some great ones!!! You can expect to pay between 3oo to 1000 dollars for one of these (and they come w/a warranty...imagine that!)<br />Features:<br />Most important features:<br />- ethernet for networking (preferably wireless)<br />- Top loader (so you can set a stack of papers on top and walk away)<br />- Laser - (this will save you approx. 4 billion dollars a year)<br />- Multiple trays (one for legal/one for letterhead)<br />Beyond that ....it is up to you what bells and whistles you like...just remember..you buy 'em you pay for em.<br />Super frugal tip: Ebay has lots of these units check them out. or alternatively, see if you can find a local "copier repair" shop. They buy older machines and grease 'em up to work like new.<br />Lastly, The city of Tulsa has a bi-annual surplus sale. I came across 4 huge new looking copiers for about 125 dollars a piece.Luke Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04382302904936979187noreply@blogger.com1