How to Manage Review

So you’ve started a small law firm, but things could be better. Law school didn’t prepare you to be the associate, the marketer, and the salesperson all in one role!

It’s completely understandable to be a little overwhelmed at the number of client and administrative tasks you have to juggle every day. There’s so much to do that you might be tempted to pick up the phone and call your best friend for help.

This is where Rjon Robins’ How to Manage a Small Law Firm (HTM) comes in.

Many solo practitioners and small law firms turn to HTM to help grow their business. But what is How to Manage a Small Law Firm, exactly? And does the program bring in real results? In this review, we look at both the pros and cons to help you determine if HTM is the right step for your law firm.

 

What is How to Manage a Small Law Firm?

How to Manage a Small Law Firm bills itself as “…the leading, largest, biggest and best provider of outside Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services exclusively for the solo and small law firm (single-shareholder) market.”

Founded by attorney Rjon Robins in 2008, HTM is a membership-based program that helps attorneys improve the revenue and operations at their law firms, including marketing, sales, and managing employees. Members are assigned a managing partner who works with their business 1-on-1.

The program works with law firms of all stripes including divorce and family firms, criminal defense, personal injury, bankruptcy, and estate planning.

The program also offers a members discussion group, an extensive online library of practice management resources, and quarterly meetings with 2-day workshops.

 

The Pros

Members say that one of the biggest value offerings of HTM membership is the quarterly meetings, which bring them together as a group with other small law firm owners managing partners who understand their experiences.

These meetings bring members together for two days of programs focused on a single theme with Rjon Robins. Attendees are encouraged to share their personal experiences and get tailored feedback from Robins to help overcome their struggles. HTM works to recognize that running a small law firm is not a one-size-fits-all, and offers solutions that align with an owner’s goals, boundaries, and personality.

Other pros include:

• A dedicated managing partner for each member
• A community of like-minded peers
• Assistance with the foundation of starting a business

 

The Cons

A big-ticket service such as HTM comes with a price, and it may be more than what law firm startups can shell out. While the HTM website does not mention a price, many members report a monthly price between $1,500 to $2,000.

Members are also locked into a contract with a minimum time commitment of one year to 15 months. This means that even if your solo firm doesn’t work out, you’re still locked into paying a monthly price for the duration of your membership – as was the case for one former member in the comments section of this review.

Other cons include:

• Dedicated managing partners hold calls with members-only once a week
• VIP group meetings with Robins available at an additional cost – reportedly in the thousands of dollars
• Quarterly meetings include constant upsells of additional programs
• Members feel the most value is offered in starting a law firm but not growing at scale

 

Is HTM Right for Your Law Firm?

Managing a small law firm can be difficult, but not impossible. The key is to employ the right tactics to keep costs down and your practice running as efficiently as possible.

If you don’t know where to start, HTM offers a roadmap that can get you on the right path. However, the program doesn’t grow your law firm for you — it just gives you a certain set of tools that can help you build a business.

Depending on your experience level, current revenue, and comfort with the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, it may or may not be the right support system for you.