This entrepreneur built a successful law firm in a bustling city. Check out how she used her experience as an employee to create a business that puts clients and staff first.
Like most lawyers, Erin Morse spent several years during and after law school working at various firms. Her passion for helping families and her in-depth knowledge of the law helped her cement a reputation as one of the go-to lawyers in Orlando, Florida. But, she found herself dissatisfied with the internal workings of the firms that employed her.
In her words: “I knew I could do it better.”
Recognizing the faults in her industry, Morse set out to rectify those issues to better meet the needs of her base. She explains her initial motivation, saying, “I started my law firm on the premise that I would never hide behind my secretary. I am always available by phone or text during the day, night or weekend. We also strategically eliminate excessive billing by using better negotiating tactics with opposing counsel and streamlining our operations by going paperless. We are able to get better outcomes for our clients for much less than our competition.”
But availability and pricing weren’t the only things Morse decided to do differently. She also wanted to build a work environment where every employee was respected, supported and given opportunities to grow. “Being an employee has totally shaped the way I lead. I wouldn’t ask any of my staff to do something that I wouldn’t or haven’t done. My staff is an extension of me and my only job is to duplicate myself over and over again. I’m so proud of my staff,” she says.
Morse elaborates on her management style, stressing her focus on flexibility. “If one of our employees needs to work from home for the day to watch their child or they just aren’t feeling good, they have that flexibility. Some of our employees are students, so their hours aren’t always 9 to 5. So, having the ability to take the work home is helpful,” she adds.
Her client- and employee-focused business plan has proven successful. But with that success came other hurdles, including her most recent: having enough space to hire the employees she needs to serve the clients she works so hard for. She says, “Our office space has been our biggest hurdle. We have two new hires working in our break room!”
Despite the temporary lack of space, Morse has big plans for the future. “There are a lot of things we are focusing on right now including marketing, landing new clients, hiring attorneys/paralegals/assistants and opening new office locations. We are trying to grow at a steady pace and hope to have offices in every major Florida city within the next five years,” she explains.
Morse’s passion for her career, compassion for her clients and management style have helped her build something many lawyers dream of. But it’s her tenacity that made her bypass the partner route and open her own firm. For other entrepreneurs looking to step out on their own, she advises confidence and focus: “Don’t listen to the people who say something can’t be done. Everything we have accomplished in the last 12 months was something that an attorney, friend, business acquaintance or family member told me couldn’t be done. Do what is in your heart. Never take advice from someone who hasn’t done it themselves or is scared to do what you are trying do. Trust me: There is no shortage of bad advice.”
You can find more information on Morse and the Law Office of Erin Morse on the firm’s website, Twitter and Facebook page.
