Relocating Law Practice - How Is the Market In PSL & Vero Beach Area? (Port St. Lucie: foreclosure, student loans)

[scarlett68]

I am an attorney from another state who is really fed up with cold and snow. I would like to get out, but I don't know whether it's worth it to take the FL bar and move, because I don't know if I'd be able to find business. My DH and I would basically be opening a small firm. Our focus has been on criminal law up to this point, but we would be open to broadening our practice a bit.

Can anyone tell me what the job market for attorneys is like in Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach area?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Lilybeans]

The law market is very difficult right now, especially for criminal lawyers. A lot of folks are moving. A lot have their business way, way down, because people cannot afford lawyers. The work situation form lawyers in the area is tough for a lot of people right now.

[verobeach]

There's always a need for lawyers. There'll always be estates, crime, auto accidents and divorces. Where there's people there is a need for good lawyers. Two of my neighbors are lawyers and they're doing just fine.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by verobeach

There's always a need for lawyers. There'll always be estates, crime, auto accidents and divorces. Where there's people there is a need for good lawyers. Two of my neighbors are lawyers and they're doing just fine.

How many other lawyers have you discussed business with?

[TriMT7]

Criminal Defense is always more dependent on the economy and ability of citizenry to pay than other areas of law.

Right now there is demand in the area for foreclosure specialists, bankruptcy counseling, etc.

Some areas are still doing OK.... my firm is a civil defense firm and we've added quite a few lawyers recently, but we don't deal with the general public and are located in Palm Beach County (though we sometimes get cases from up in the Treasure Coast).

One thing to do would be to get the local bar journals/bulletins for Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties, and check out what kinds of firms and practice areas are hiring right now in the "help wanted" section. If there's a lot of one type you'll know what's "in" right now.

In the alternative, there's always associating with a larger firm until you can get a proper gauge of the market!

[scarlett68]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Criminal Defense is always more dependent on the economy and ability of citizenry to pay than other areas of law.

Right now there is demand in the area for foreclosure specialists, bankruptcy counseling, etc.

This is true. That's a problem we have right now, with criminal defense. Of course, the benefit is you can handle courtroom work easily, but the downside is you don't necessarily get paying clients because of the economy.

We are willing to bring bankruptcy work into our areas of practice, and have started looking at it, because we used to do it and stopped bgecause we got busy with criminal work.

Thanks for the answers.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by scarlett68

This is true. That's a problem we have right now, with criminal defense. Of course, the benefit is you can handle courtroom work easily, but the downside is you don't necessarily get paying clients because of the economy.

We are willing to bring bankruptcy work into our areas of practice, and have started looking at it, because we used to do it and stopped bgecause we got busy with criminal work.

Thanks for the answers.

I run across a lot of people that cannot even afford to file bankruptcy. Even doctors are feeling the pinch now.

[stevep111]

I thought the purpose of filling for Bankruptcy was that you could not afford anything?

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by stevep111

I thought the purpose of filling for Bankruptcy was that you could not afford anything?

Yeah, but in Bankruptcy Court, pretty much the only bills that can't be erased are your attorney's fees for going bankrupt, and student loans!


Seems to me, though, that if all you have left is an attorney's bill and everything else has been wiped clean, you should at least pay that!

[lokahi]

Good luck with the bar! FL is one of the toughest, next to CA. Def. take the BARBRI courses, even if you've been practicing for a while. I would almost take a Kaplan course, too.

Best of luck