In this episode, Josh is joined by Michael Kennedy, founder of Ingenuity Counsel, a niche law practice that provides U.S. cross-border tax and legal services to Canadians. The pair converse about the evolution of a legal career and finding a niche when opening your own practice. They also discuss what it’s like to start a firm with zero clients and grow into hiring attorneys and support staff.
Show Notes
0:00 – Intro
0:44 – Meet Michael Kennedy
1:40 – Developing a Niche Legal Practice
4:09 – The Evolution of a Legal Practice
5:40 – Going Where the Market Takes You
6:18 – Engaging Your First Clients
7:42 – Google Adwords vs Providing Useful Content
9:55 – Earning Trust by Being Relatable to Clients
11:57 – Leaving a Guaranteed Salary to Start a Practice
14:26 – Work Hard for Yourself vs Someone Else
18:05 – Michael’s First Hire
20:24 – This Episode Sponsored by Gerben IP
21:40 – Hiring Your First Associate
25:18 – Good Business Practice to Delegate
29:54 – Client Referrals are Key
34:17 – How to Think About Retirement as a Firm Owner
39:36 – Learning from Other Firm Founders
40:10 – Outro Ad
Visit https://joshgerben.com/ to learn more.
About Michael Kennedy
Michael Kennedy is a Canadian-born, American lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience as a practicing attorney. He is admitted to practice law in several U.S. states and is authorized as a Foreign Legal Consultant by the Law Society of Ontario to provide legal services in Ontario respecting the laws of the United States and providing legal advice only as it pertains to U.S. laws.
In 2012, Michael founded Ingenuity Counsel to provide United States cross-border tax and legal services to Canadians. He is also a frequent presenter at legal, tax and estate seminars in Canada and the U.S. for numerous industry and community organizations.
Connect with Michael Kennedy on:
If you have any questions about starting or running a law practice, feel free to send me an email at josh@joshgerben.com or jgerben@gerbenlawfirm.com.
You can also follow the show on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Josh Gerben is a nationally recognized trademark attorney and sought-after thought leader for the national news media. In 2008, Josh founded Gerben IP, a boutique intellectual property firm, with the goal of providing businesses, individuals, and their attorneys with a way to protect their growing brands with the help of experienced attorneys, and without breaking the bank.
Sponsor Information:
This episode is brought to you by Gerben IP, a premier boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property. While primarily focusing on trademark law, Gerben IP also offers expert assistance for copyright and patent matters. Its team of dedicated attorneys serves clients across all 50 states in the U.S. and in over 30 countries worldwide, ensuring comprehensive protection for your innovations and creative assets.