As the founding partner of the Hunter Law, Regina Hunter has consistently provided the kind of steady leadership needed to achieve the firm’s various goals while also resolutely adhering to the core principles upon which the firm was originally founded. In the years since founding the Hunter Law in 1999, Regina has been routinely recognized by clients and peers alike as the preeminent family lawyer in Tampa FL.

Regina served as a solo practitioner when she first opened the doors of her law firm in 1999, focusing on family law and later adding personal injury. Although the personal injury and family law firm has grown to include some of the finest divorce lawyers in Tampa, Regina has emphasized the importance of continuing to provide clients with the consistently outstanding and highly individualized legal services they deserve.

After earning degrees in philosophy and political science from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, the renowned Tampa divorce attorney relocated to Florida, where she ultimately went on to earn her Juris Doctor with academic honors from Stetson University College of Law. A member of the Florida Bar since 1998, Regina also holds the “AV Preeminent Rating” by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating any lawyer or law firm can achieve.

How did you get started in this business?

I got started as a solo practitioner back in 1999, which was shortly after I finished law school and became a member of the Florida Bar.

What inspired you to start this business? How do you make money?

As an undergraduate majoring in political science and philosophy at Saint Mary’s, I had the opportunity to discuss various aspects of the legal profession with some practicing attorneys, not to mention all the future attorneys whose schedule closely mirrored my own. I was ultimately inspired by the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with clients during a time of genuine need.

How long did it take for you to become profitable?

It was some time before the firm was profitable, but I planned for this right from the start. I felt it was more important to focus on establishing a reputation and gaining trial experience, even if it meant a delay in profitability.

When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?

I’m sure everyone experiences doubt at some point — especially when first starting out — but any concerns I had were wiped out immediately after working with my first clients to achieve the ideal resolution for their particular legal issue.

How did you get your first clients?

Referrals from friends and colleagues.  For a brief period of time after passing the bar, I worked temporary positions at several law firms researching, clerking, and practicing Family Law to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible in a short period of time.  Shortly after opening the firm’s doors, a former law school classmate of mine — who was aware of my focus in family law — gave a glowing recommendation to a friend who had inquired about legal representation. Additionally, my supervising attorneys at the previous law firms recommended clients to my firm based upon my work at their firm.

What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works well to generate new business?

Thanks to our reputation in the community, a large percentage of our clients continue to come to us through referrals. As a result, we rely on a fairly traditional marketing strategy targeted to reach those who are most likely to benefit from the legal services we provide.

What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?

It’s rare that we turn away a potential client, but there are times I do have to decide whether a potential addition to our caseload will adversely affect our ability to provide the personalized legal representation the firm is known for. Additionally, we want to ensure that our firms core values goals and expectations are met mutually with our client’s values goals and expectations.

What do you think it is that makes you successful? What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

It’s my opinion that no one can credibly claim all the credit for any success they’ve achieved, which is why I think my professional success is largely due to my people-first focus. As the firm has grown over the years, I have consistently focused on recruiting only the most talented and compassionate attorneys, particularly those who share a genuine belief in the core values this firm was first founded on.

What does the future hold for your business?

Predicting the future isn’t exactly easy, but I can be certain that no matter how much things change my firm will continue to emphasize the highly personalized approach that has been so central to our success over the years.

What are you most excited about?

The idea of working with clients in need of my legal experience in marital and family law or personal injury law is every bit as exciting as it was on the very first day I founded the law firm.

Which business books have inspired you?

Colossus. It is a book every entrepreneur should be able to relate to, as it discusses the multitude of obstacles and other complexities that had to be overcome to make the Hoover Dam a reality.

What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?

We recently invested in sustainable energy technology for our offices to be as paperless as possible. This has helped reduce our energy expenditures and operational costs while also minimizing our carbon footprint.

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