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MARCO LAW, PLLC

123 Main St.


Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.555.5555

www.zpmarco.law





Zechariah P. Marco, Owner

1234 Home St.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.555.1234

Plan Prepared November 2013
By the Owner


This is a confidential summary of the proposed operations of Marco Law, PLLC. Unless you are given a copy of this
document by Marco Law, PLLC, please destroy it immediately because it contains confidential information. If you
have been given a copy of this document, you agree that it contains confidential information and you agree not to
reproduce it in whole or in part, not to use it for any purpose other than the one for which it was delivered, and not
to disclose any of its contents to third parties without the written consent of Marco Law, PLLC.




Marco







dedicavit servitum pro vita
Law, PLLC


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary 3

Article I: Organizational Plan

1.1 Mission Statement 3
1.2 Objectives 3
1.3 Legal Services 3
1.4 Location 4
1.5 Legal Structure 4
1.6 Management and Personnel 4
1.7 Accounting 4
1.8 Office Management Software 4
1.9 Intellectual Property 5
1.10 Insurance 5
1.11 Security 5

Article II: Marketing Plan

2.1 Marketing Strategy Summary 5
2.2 Goals of Marketing Strategy 5
2.3 Target Market 6
2.4 Sales Strategies 6
2.5 Pricing 6
2.6 Advertising Strategies 7

Article III: Financial Plan

3.1 Day Zero/Opening Costs 8
3.2 Monthly Expenses 8
3.3 Projected Sales 8
3.4 Sources of Financing 8
3.5 Year-One Financial Analysis 8

Exhibit A: Year-One Financial Analysis












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Marco Law, Pllc

Executive Summary

Founded by Zechariah P. Marco, a respected professional in the legal profession,
MARCO LAW, LLC (Firm) is a new law firm that is dedicated to providing personal legal
service for the legal needs of the people of Grand Rapids.
It is expected that most of the clients during the first year of operation will be individuals.
Individuals seeking estate planning, business planning, tax services, and tort claims. Thereafter
the Firm will expand its clientele to include business clients.
The Firm will operate a 1,500-square-foot office facility in a multi-level building which
houses other businesses. The building is located 1234 Main St. in downtown Grand Rapids,
Michigan. This is a prime location because it is close to the courthouse, a major highway, and
reasonable parking. The Firm intends on being very involved in the community and will seek to
serve not only its clients but the community as well. The Firms motto is Dedicavit Servitum Pro
Vita, which is Latin for, Dedicated Service for Life; the Firm intends on exhibiting dedicated
service to be a lawyer for life.

Article I

Organizational Plan

1.1 Mission Statement. The mission of the Firm is to act as an advisor to its clients
providing quality and dedicated personal service in a cost-efficient and timely manner.
The Firm is dedicated to creating clients for life by achieving the best possible outcomes.

1.2 Objectives. The objectives of the Firm for the first three years of operation include:

a. To create and maintain a law firm whose primary goal is to exceed clients
expectations.

b. To provide legal guidance with a personal touch while exercising
integrity, accountability, dependability, and loyalty.

c. To strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients through
dependable and determined service.

d. To provide cost-efficient service by utilizing flat-fee billing when
possible.

e. To serve the community as well as its clients.

1.3 Legal Services. The Firm wishes to serve the legal needs of a client whether it be an
individual seeking an attorney to help them meet their business objectives, guidance


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through litigation, or assistance with estate planning or a real estate transaction. The
Firm will generate revenue from the following major service categories:

a. Estate Planning: Wills, Estates, and Trusts, and other probate matters.
b. Business/Corporate: Startups, Tax issues relating to businesses, and other
corporate issues.
c. Employment Law: Employer as well as employee issues.
d. Tax Law: Individual and business tax.
e. Litigation: Representation in civil plaintiff or defense matters.
f. Commercial and Residential Real Estate Transactions.
g. Criminal Defense.

1.4 Location. The Firm's office will be located at 1234 Main Street, Grand Rapids, MI
49503. All operations will take place at the leased facility of approximately 1,500 square
feet. The facility consists of a small waiting room, offices, and a conference room that
can accommodate up to ten people comfortably. The monthly rent is projected at $1,500.
The Firm has signed a five-year lease agreement. According to the agreement, the rent
will not increase during the lease period. Utilities are separate and projected at $300 per
month. The Firm also has a right of first refusal to lease contiguous space at the same rate
as charged under the current lease. This building was selected in part due to the potential
for referrals from the Firm's business neighbors.

1.5 Legal Structure. The Firms legal name is MARCO LAW, PLLC. The Firm will be
organized as a Michigan professional limited liability company. The Firms founder,
Zechariah P. Marco, will be the sole owner of the Firm.

1.6 Management and Personnel. Zechariah P. Marco will be the sole executive manager of
the Firm and the office. When there are sufficient funds, approximately 6 months to a
year after operations commence, the Firm will hire a Secretary/Office Manager. When
there is sufficient work for a paralegal to be able to bill thirty-five hours each week, and
doing this work is no longer the best use of the lawyers' time, a paralegal will be hired.
This hire is expected to occur a year to a year-and-a-half after operations commence. The
Firm will also look to utilize the help and service of law school student externs.

1.7 Accounting. The Firm plans to use a nationally known case management and billing
software and a well-regarded accounting software program. These products will be
designed to interface with each other, minimizing the need to input data more than once
and reducing the likelihood of errors resulting from multiple entries of the same data in
different systems. The Firm will retain the services of John Doe and Co., a Grand
Rapids-based accounting firm, to prepare an annual review of the financial statements, as
well as a letter on internal controls.

1.8 Office Management Software. The Firm plans to use Abacuslaw for its law practice
management software.



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1.9 Intellectual Property. The Firm plans to protect its Web site, service mark, publications,
and other writings with appropriate trademarks and copyrights.

1.10 Insurance. The Firm will carry general liability, property and professional liability
coverage. General liability will be for $1 million and personal property coverage will be
for $500,000. Professional liability coverage needs to be explored with a carrier to
determine appropriate coverage for firm and individuals.

1.11 Security. The Firm will take the steps necessary to encrypt its e-mail, install firewalls,
and take other appropriate steps to prevent access to the Firm's data and confidential
client information through the Internet. Upon employment, each member of the staff will
sign a confidentiality agreement. No documents will be disposed of in a manner that
confidential information could be obtained from the trash. To accomplish this goal, the
firm will consider retaining the services of a bonded shredding company or shredding the
documents in-house.

Article II

Marketing Plan

2.1 Marketing Strategy Summary. The Firm plans to use networking and the creation of a
referral network to reach its target market. The Firm will join the optimal local
organization and appropriate trade organizations to increase the Firms name awareness
and reputation in the local legal field. The plan also includes a schedule of follow-up
calls to contacts and former clients. The success of the Firms referral network will be
measured by projects that come to the office from people in the network. The Firm will
also offer free attorney consultations to prospective clients. The Firm will also join the
Grand Rapids Bar Associations Lawyer Referral Service as well as the Kent County
Circuit and Probate Courts court-appointed lists. The Firm will also own and maintain a
website and will also manage a Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Martindale accounts.

2.2 Goals of Marketing Strategy.

a. Obtain Name Recognition: The goal is to obtain name recognition for the
Firm in the local area. Through former clients, networking, referrals, and
social media, the Firm will strive to improve the recognition of the name.
Name recognition leads to traffic on the website, email, and more
consultations, which in turn will lead to more clients.

b. Demonstrate Client Concern: Demonstrate to the client that he or she is
important as an individual and to the Firm. This will be measured by
keeping track of response time to phone calls and e-mail messages to the
Firm. Each individual is to be contacted by the Firm in response to a call
or email by the afternoon if received in the morning or by the next
morning if received in the afternoon. This will also be measured by
maintaining a log of communications with existing clients on current


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matters, calls to former clients, and communications with prospects. The
Firm intends to speak to a client with an active matter at least every ten
days to two weeks. Former clients will be contacted once or twice a year.

c. Maintain a Presence in the Community: The Firm will join local
community organizations and will strive to maintain its presence in these
groups. The Firm will devote time and effort to these organizations and
provide legal services, pro bono services, and non-legal support.

2.3 Target Market. The Firm will actively market to individuals and small businesses
within a fifty-mile radius of the Firm's office. The Firms target market includes
individuals who could be characterized as young professionals or middle-aged
individuals. The target market will also include young families, and business
entrepreneurs looking to start small businesses. The Firms ideal prospective client is an
individual in his or her late 20s or early 30s, single or married/starting a new family,
who requires legal services in the categories listed above. This is an ideal target market
because the Firm is a new, small firm, owned and operated by a young relatable lawyer
who will provide professional quality service at a cost-efficient rate with a personal touch.

2.4 Pricing. When appropriate, the Firm will offer fixed fees for certain services relating to
estate planning, business planning (startups), contracts, buy-sell agreements, and other
services that could reasonably be billed at a fixed rate. For other services that require
time, such as litigation, the Firm will provide representation at an hourly-rate of $150 per
hour. The Firm will also contingency fee agreements for appropriate cases. There will
essentially be two different price offering for clients, (1) Fixed rate, (2) Representation

a. Fixed Rate: The Firm will aim to bill on a fixed rate basis when
appropriate. The price will cover the work product, the time spent, and
any expenses such as printing, copies, and filing costs. Such products
include but are not limited to wills, trusts, power of attorney, articles of
incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, operating agreements,
partnership agreements, contracts, leases (residential and commericial), etc.
Prices will start at $300 for the simple stuff and increase at $50 increments
depending on the complexity.

b. Representation: For services that require time such as representation in
litigation including discovery, deposition, appearance in court, trials,
negotiations, etcetera, the Firm will bill its time at $150 per hour. The
price will cover the time spent in the needed representation, legal research,
and the necessary work product

2.5 Sales Strategies.

a. Direct Relationships: The Firm will use previously established
professional and personal relationships as the initial source of business.



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b. Direct Mail: Direct mail campaigns to a specific group of clients or
prospective clients will be conducted when necessary.

c. Direct Email: Email marketing to a specific group of clients, prospective
clients, and former clients will be conducted when deemed necessary.

d. Referrals: The Firm also expects to receive clients through word of
mouth or through professional or personal referrals. The Firm will also
join the Kent County court appointed list, as well as, the Grand Rapids Bar
Association Lawyer Referral Service.

e. Name Recognition: The Firm expects receive clients through its
reputation in the community as well as its online presence via its website,
Facebook, Twitter, and Martindale accounts

2.6 Advertising/Branding Strategies.

a. Traditional Advertising: The Firm will employ traditional advertising
such as newspaper ads and educational publications. For the first year, the
Firm has budgeted $1,200 ($100 per month) for advertising and the
running of the website. Before operations begin, the Firm has budgeted
$1,500 to traditional newspaper advertising and printed advertising such as
opening announcements.

b. Website: The Firm will maintain a website and will acquire the domain
name www.zpmarco.law when .law becomes available. The website will
provide the description of the Firm as well as the services it will provide,
and the background of its lawyer. It will also include the Firm's mission.
Speaking engagements and seminars will also be listed. A community
bulletin board will also be featured where area nonprofit organizations can
advertise their events. The website will also be linked up with the Firms
social media pages as well as Link-Exchange.

c. Social Media: The Firm intends to have a Facebook Page, a Twitter
account, and a Martindale.com account. Each account will offer the Firms
description, services, and contact information. The accounts will be
maintained daily.

d. Promotional Seminars: The Firm plans to host various promotional
seminars for current and prospective clients. These include, free breakfast
seminars, free dinner seminars, free lunch networking events, and free
young-professional networking events. The seminars will include issues
in the service areas that the Firm provides.

e. Public Relations: The Firm will join community organizations and attend
community events to build its community name recognition. The Firm


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will also build relationships with local newspaper and journal reporters, so
that they will some day contact the Firm for legal quotes or legal articles.
The Firm will write articles for journals and speak to both business and
non-business groups. These articles will be placed on the website and the
Firm will send a simple email to current and prospective clients including
a link to the article.

f. Networking: In order to engage in networking, the Firm will join a
mentorship program. It will also join the Grand Rapids Bar Association
and other community agencies.

Article III

Financial Plan

3.1 Day Zero/Opening Cost. The Firm has estimated that a total of $26,600 would be
required to bring the Firm operational on Day Zero. This total includes one-time
expenses such as rent, utilities, phone/internet, announcements/advertising, website,
malpractice insurance, office supplies, grand opening event, office furniture/fixtures, and
the office management software. SEE EXHIBIT ATo Open Costs.

3.2 Monthly Expenses. The Firms monthly expenses are estimate to be 2,338 per month.
This amount includes monthly rent, utilities, phone/internet, advertising/website, supplies,
promotional seminars/events, and office software. SEE EXHIBIT A.

3.3 Projected Sales. The Firm estimates slow growth in the first year of operation starting
out with $500 in revenue in Month 1. The Firm estimates and intends on increasing
revenue by $1,000 every quarter. These projected sales numbers include both fixed rate
and billable hour rates. According the projections, the Firms revenue will exceed its
expenses in Month 6. Total projected sales for Year 1 are $30,000. SEE EXHIBIT A.

3.4 Sources of Financing. The Firm estimates the $80,000 in capital would be required in
order to bring the Firm operational. This amount is appropriate because it is large enough
to keep the Firm operational and is also low enough to obtain through private family
loans and donations from friends and family. The Firm does not intend on obtaining
financing through bank loans.

3.5 Year-One Financial Analysis. Starting with the initial capital of $80,000 less the
opening expenses, the Firm estimates Day 1 cash to be $53,400. The projections indicate
that this cash amount will gradually decrease each month until Month 6, when the
revenue exceeds the monthly expenses of $2,338. As of Dec 31, the Firm estimates
$53,400 in pre-expense cash, $30,000 in revenue from sales, $33,056 in total expenses,
leaving $50,344 in net cash. The net-cash amount is only $3,056 less that the pre-
expense cash amount. Going into Year 2 with $50,344 in pre-expense cash is adequate to
continue operations and a continued gradual quarterly income increase. SEE EXHIBIT A.

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