Lawyers of Distinction is a club-like organization that recognizes excellence in the practice of law. The process of joining is based on four steps that include the initial nomination, independent research, ethics review accompanied by a background check, and a final decision. Attorneys from 12 different specialties can apply through their own submission or peer-initiated nomination.
In order to qualify, the evaluation committee will look to see if there have been any ethics violations committed by the candidate in the previous ten years, what type of experience does the attorney have, is there applicable community or pro bono service, as well as the educational background. All of the aforementioned factors will be cross-referenced with the current representation of one’s state as only 10 percent of all lawyers in a state can be members simultaneously.
One of the leaders of Lawyers of Distinction that has helped expand and establish it as a prominent organization is Jesse Brodsky. He is currently serving as the head of all membership services. Having graduated with a Juris Doctor from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law right after he obtained a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, he possesses a plethora of credentials that made him a perfect fit for the position.
People who pass Mr. Brodsky’s final review and become members can enjoy benefits like an official press release, an online directory where clients can easily access them, promotional tools for their offices, and many members announcements on popular websites and news outlets.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
We got started by creating a blueprint that closely followed our mission statement. This involved some long-term goals and most effective strategies that we were going to use to achieve them. The inspiration for the endeavor came from a lack of proper recognition for lawyers that go above and beyond. All of us believed that certain attorneys should be praised for all the extraordinary accomplishments they achieve.
How do you make money?
A lot of our profits come from advertisements and marketing campaigns that are related to our platform. We also charge membership fees to those who are looking to distinguish themselves as the top 10 percent of their state’s attorneys.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
Not too long. Having started with a team of professionals who already had great connections, we were able to gain quite a momentum very fast. This helped as expand almost effortlessly and our profits started growing less than a year after we launched our official website.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
I do not think so. One thing that all of us shared was an unparalleled passion for this project and an inability to accept “no” for an answer.
How did you get your first customer?
The first few lawyers that became members were nominated by the group of people who created the organization. Once their nominations were approved and they got familiar with the purpose of our company, they accepted their memberships and started nominating their own candidates. It did not take long for this story to repeat and the entire process somewhat snowballed into a widespread movement.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
We are present in media outlets that are popular. Those include CNN, the New York Times, Fox News, and so on.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
We had to decline a few very good nominees because their states of origin are already at the 10-percent limit.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
The fact that our members enjoy benefits that are not available anywhere else. It is impossible to find another company that will let one experience all the perks of an exclusive directory as well as enjoy store discounts that can help them save as much as $5,000 a year.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Seeing our members grow their practices after using the directory that we placed them on.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I think it holds an unavoidable growth. Based on the previous patterns and trends, I have to say that our organization is most likely to expand in the upcoming years. That is also something that we look forward with an immense dose of excitement.
What business books have inspired you?
“Blue Ocean Strategy” by Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim, “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg, and “In Search of Excellence” by Robert H. Waterman Jr. and Tom Peters.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
We upgraded our database and purchased new computers for the office. It contributed to more employee satisfaction and our operations have been experienced an increased wave of efficiency ever since.
Do you believe that lawyers must know business principles to properly run their practices?
I think that someone who is an attorney understands how business works by default. When you go through an education program as rigorous as the one that lawyers have to deal with, you pick up many skills that do not directly pertain to law or the Constitution. Also, a lot of Supreme Court cases that stand as landmarks in the U.S. history are related to large companies, contracts, or some type of business-related matters.