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Private Practice As Public Interest Work
"As lawyers we hold the unique power, as gatekeepers to our legal system, to fight for social justice in an effort to help improve the quality of life - both on an individual and nationwide basis. Civil Justice members have proved that they can do good while doing well."
- Civil Justice Network Member
The Civil Justice Network:
The Civil Justice Network is a consortium of solo and small firms who want to use private practice as a means to do public interest work. Members are committed to the idea that, through participation in the Civil Justice Network, each member can grow their own practices while increasing access to the legal system by providing affordable, high quality legal services to traditionally under-served members of the public in their own communities.
The Network acts as a safety net for solo practitioners, small firms and new lawyers. Members have the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and resources with other like-minded attorneys. In essence, it's like being part of a large firm, but still maintaining your independence.
Mentoring & Networking Opportunities:
Members have access to informal mentoring by experienced attorneys and law school faculty. Members also receive advice in the identification of appropriate co-counsel for complex cases. Additionally, members have opportunities to network, share experiences with and ask suggestions of other community-based solo and small firm attorneys.
Practice Management:
Members receive assistance in areas such as: financing your own start-up; ethical dilemmas for solo practitioners; marketing your practice; effective networking techniques; client development and relations; education about and support for the use of technology to help make their practices more efficient; billing, setting and collecting fees; office and personnel management; IOLTA compliance; electronic case management and time keeping systems; developing business plans.
Reduced-Price Legal Products:
Members can take advantage of group buying discounts on products and services vital to creating effective law offices like Lexis, office machines, and insurance .
Marketing Services:
Civil Justice can design and produce brochures, business cards, presentations and other marketing materials for network members. Additionally, members are listed on this website, and can post articles and news items in the What's New area. Members also receive a link from this website to their own web pages. Members also benefit from the marketing and public relations efforts of the Civil Justice Network.
Client Referrals:
Civil Justice maintains an active client referral service. Through CJ's community contacts we are able to refer prospective clients to members on a regular basis. Appointments and fees are negotiated between the client and attorney.
 Dues:
Membership in the Network is $100.00 for members in the first year of practice for their own account (working for themselves). After that, there is a yearly fee of $150 for those in the second and third year of practice, $200.00 for those in the fourth year and above.
*Small firms of no more than five attorneys may join for $500.
Requirements:
All members of the Network are required to have malpractice insurance and be in good standing in the jurisdiction where they practice. All Network members must be available by email and participate in the Network email group.
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