• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Momentum Search Partners

Texas' Legal Recruiters
AustinHoustonDallas
  • About Us
    • Our Company
    • Our Team
    • Our Code of Ethics
  • For Employers
    • Why Choose Momentum
    • Representative Placements
    • What Employers Say about Momentum
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
  • For Job Seekers
    • Why Choose Momentum
    • Highlighted Expertise & Placements
      • Financial Services/Investment Management
      • Real Estate Placements and Openings
      • General Counsel Placements and Openings
      • Labor & Employment
      • Litigation
      • Intellectual Property and Patents
    • Relocating Attorneys
    • What Job Seekers say about Momentum
    • FAQ
    • Submit your Resume
  • Contact Us

A Niche Law Practice Should Be Your New Year’s Resolution!

December 13, 2013

“To succeed in the new world, you have to sell yourself. You go to a brand-name college, not to imbibe the wisdom of its professors, but to make impressions and connections. You pick a niche that can bring attention to yourself and then develop your personal public relations efforts to let the world know who you are.” – Alan Wolfe, New York Times Book Review, 7 Jan. 2001

note that reads "find a niche"

Historically, Lawyers have been taught to sell their ability to learn any industry or legal matter, and to de-emphasize the importance of industry experience. Most corporate lawyers and litigators discount the power of industry experience in their business development efforts. In-house counsel, as well as private practitioners, were often generalists with a working knowledge of employment, litigation, and transactional matters – at a minimum. The prevailing thought was to handle every type of legal matter that came in the door to secure the client’s loyalty or to prove one’s value to the company.

Today, however, that theory is outdated. Attorneys with specific expertise are more highly valued, more visible, and usually more profitable. These days, developing your “niche” is critically important to your career advancement and success, especially when it’s authentically based on your passions. As your thoughts turn to the New Year and what career goals and marketing plan you want to achieve, our advice is to include developing a niche law practice as a top priority.

A niche can be defined in numerous ways. It can be specific areas of expertise (software, tax, 40 Act), industries (healthcare, energy), geographical location (city, state, region), population segment (working mothers, fluent Spanish speakers) or the like.

Think about what you know, who you are and what you really care about in formulating what you have to offer. Thoughtfully choose a few specific areas that are authentic to you and what you are passionate about.

Knowing everything about a niche subject is not required to start defining and working toward your niche, but you will want to do that too once identified.

Once your niche is identified, you can use it to market yourself and stand out as an expert on your selected area(s).

  1. Make sure your website and social media channels reflect your areas of expertise and your passions. Use your own unique voice and the terms of art common in your niche.
  2. Write and speak where your target clients hang out – blogs, newsletters, e-books, local events, and webinars are inexpensive but highly effective ways to show your expertise.

Categories: Career Goals, Job Success

Jane Pollard

About Jane Pollard

Partner

A founding member of Momentum Search Partners, Jane manages all aspects of its operations, many of its client relationships, and also works a recruiting desk. She has successfully completed attorney searches ranging from executive-level general counsels and chief compliance officers to AGCs and compliance analysts for both for public and private companies, and has also placed attorneys at law firms. Jane obtained her JD with honors from the University of Texas and, prior to recruiting, was a commercial litigator in private practice with a large law firm and a CPA. She lives in Austin with her husband, who is also a lawyer, and spends her free time cycling and playing racquet sports. For questions, comments, or suggestions related to our blog, you can contact us via our website or visit Jane on LinkedIn.

« Previous article
Next article »
Austin1401 Lavaca Street
Suite 1098
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 920-6622
Dallas / Fort Worth325 North St. Paul St.
Suite 3100
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 821-1220
Houston405 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(832) 990-2668
National Association of Legal Search Consultants Logo
Texas Lawyer Texas' Best award logo
This firm has been verified by The Legal Recruiter Directory
  • News
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
Connect with Us on LinkedIn
© 2023 Momentum Search Partners
Website Designed by ePageCity