Starting Your Own Law Firm Checklist
Starting your own law firm in California is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. Whether you’re breaking away from a larger firm or launching your practice straight out of law school, setting up a successful firm requires careful planning. From choosing a business structure to setting up your trust accounts, marketing your services, and ensuring compliance with state bar regulations, there’s a lot to consider. This checklist will walk you through the key steps to starting your firm the right way—so you can focus on what you do best: advocating for your clients.
Business Entity (e.g. sole proprietorship, professional corporation, or limited liability partnership)
For the general differences: https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/starting-business
For resources on law corporations: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Compliance-Records/Opening-and-Managing-Law-Office/Law-Corporations-Program; California Business & Professions Code §§ 6127.5, 6160-6172
For resources on LLPs: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Compliance-Records/Opening-and-Managing-Law-Office/Limited-Liability-Partnerships
Firm Name
For resources on limitations to law firm names see, e.g., California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 7.1 & 7.5, https://www.calbar.ca.gov/portals/0/documents/lawcorp/LawCorp_Name-Definitions_r.pdf,
For resources to determine if your desired name is already taken see, e.g., https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business and https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/search/search-information
Business Contact Information
Address/Office Space (e.g. Traditional or Virtual)
Phone & Fax Numbers
Domain Name for Website & Email Addresses
Business Licenses & Permits
Check with local entities, e.g. https://sftreasurer.org/business/register-business
Federal Tax ID (EIN) with IRS
See e.g. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
Insurance
Malpractice
Liability (if applicable)
Workers Compensation (if applicable)
Update State Bar
See https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Compliance-Records/About-Your-State-Bar-Profile/Address-Change
Financial
Bank Accounts, Trust Accounts, Credit Cards, Loans, Lines of Credit, etc.
Update State Bar with IOLTA Accounts: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Conduct-Discipline/Client-Trust-Accounting-IOLTA
Software for Payroll, Financial Tracking, etc.
Financial Professionals: Bookkeeper, Accountant, Tax Professionals, Advisors, etc.
Hardware (e.g. Laptop, Tablet, Printer, Scanner, Copier, etc.)
Software (e.g. Email, Cloud Software, Microsoft, Case Management, Westlaw/Lexis, etc.)
Operational Procedures
Templates, Charts, Tracking, etc.
Employee Manual (if applicable)
Marketing & Social Media
Other Resources:
“Opening and Managing a Law Office” by the State Bar of California https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Compliance-Records/Opening-and-Managing-Law-Office