LegalFish in Boston

I have found several ways to try and build a client base with mixed results. The first (and least expensive) method I chose was craigslist. The majority of postings in the Boston area are other attorneys trying to attract potential clients. What I have done is 1) post a legal services offer labeled "Attorney available for contract work" with the goal of meeting other attorneys in the Boston area. Some have turned out to be potential business arrangements while others have been networking opportunities. In both cases, the results have helped me to meet others in the field, and on a few occasions, meet potential clients. 2) Weed through the other postings to find potential clients. I have been lucky (or persistent) enough to gain a few clients this way. In fact, all of my business up to this point has come this way.

In order to meet more clients, I decided to "bite the bullet" and hire a legal service which connects potential clients with attorneys. I signed on with legalfish.com on a monthly basis. LegalFish provides the attorney with names of screened clients in the area who have filled out a questionnaire. I was disappointed to see only four potential clients on the first day of my membership. Legalfish assures me that clients are removed from the list when they retain counsel. This sounds illegitimate but with a decidedly smaller "market share" the jury is still out. I will be sure to post successes and/or failures as they arise.