general

I'd heard of this book from time to time during law school. It was kept in the "Career Services" office and could only be checked out for a weekend, like anyone had time to read it during lawschool, or over a weekend. I found myself tracking down an old copy of this book within my first few months of solo practice. When I learned that there was a more recent edition I bought it, even though I couldn't spare the $$. The book is dated (although the latest edition has been revised to some degree) and inapplicable in many respects to lots of new attorneys (Mr. Foonberg cut his legal teeth in Hollywood, CA.) HOWEVER, I would consider this book the Bible for any new, mentor-less, solo practitioner. If you're thinking about buying it, BUY it, even though it's too expensive. You'll probably be glad that you did. It could be all that comes between your neophyte-lawyer-hiny and the Disciplinary Committee. I have the new edition in my office and I consult it frequently. I have copied and used many of its example letters, forms and strategies. Mr. Foonberg's advice has saved me time, heartache and the ravages of clients who have no intention of paying me, or worse, clients who are just plain nuts. I take Mr. Foonberg's sage advice frequently and I must say that, in my limited experience, he has proven to be SO RIGHT about many aspects of the practice of law. If you cannot afford this book, check your local public library or the law school library to see if it has a copy. At least read the chapters on how to choose clients, how and when to bill and especially what clients NOT to take. Mr. Foonberg is about the only Mentor that I've found.

I had my own practice in Delaware for 11 years. This book was the absolutely indispensible A-Z guide and saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have never known Foonberg to be wrong and this book is crammed with useful tips. All the stuff they don't teach you in law school. Buy it at once if you're even thinking of starting your own practice. Buy it as a graduation gift if you know someone graduating from law school (they will thank you profusely). Even if you're a lawyer who laughs at the idea of ever starting your own practice, did you ever wonder how other lawyers do it? Buy and read this and you'll find out all the secrets. And you might just get tempted yourself...

I bought this for a discounted rate from the ABA when I was a Law Student. After reading it, I would have been willing to pay 5 times the actual price (albeit, I would not have ever bought to find out it was worth that much). Far too many times I have bought one of these "How to" books and found it too much BS and not enough substance. Foonberg minimzes the BS and maximizes the substance. My only critique is I would like to get a littl emore information about marketing and getting clients in my doors from day 1. He addresses the issue but a methodology would have been nice. All in all, the book is a tremendous resource. If you are starting a practice/firm, I HIGHLY recommend this book.