MIRAMAR, Fla. -- A new law practice has sprung up in the flourishing bedroom community of Miramar.
Attorneys Vladimir St. Louis and Amanda Morris have partnered to serve members of the local community by offering legal assistance in real estate, taxation, bankruptcy and business law. Although the firm opened its doors only a few months ago, its beginnings have proved promising and its founders are already dreaming of expansion.
"It's all been one big success," Morris told the Florida Record.
In a few months, St. Louis Morris is already has clients in Seminole County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
Morris attributed the early, continuing success of the firm to the nature of her partnership with St. Louis.
"The fact that Vlad and I have an effective partnership, that we have dedication and trust to both each other and the firm, creates a solid foundation for the success of the firm and the clients off the bat," she said. "Vladimir and I practiced together for two years prior to opening our firm. During that time we developed a special bond. We're both very ambitious with a strong work ethic and it made sense to partner together in order to pursue our dreams."
In establishing a practice, the duo has had to wear many hats. In order to succeed, both Morris and St. Louis have spent significant time networking, searching for the right location, building local connections and attracting more clientele, while simultaneously working on current cases.
St. Louis elaborated on the challenges of establishing a practice while still managing cases, noting the difficulty of creating balance and transitioning from associate to partner.
"You’re not an associate at a firm anymore," he said. "When you’re an associate you only have to worry about the client’s files. When you have your own practice not only do you have to do the legal work, you have to go to court, meet the clients, close with the clients, advertise and do marketing. Rather than doing two things, you’re doing 10 things."
The duo said that networking, advertising, taking referrals, continued involvement in various Broward County organizations and maintaining connections with other attorneys and members of the community has had a positive impact on their ability to attract clientele while starting their new practice.
St. Louis and Morris also attribute a portion of their initial success to their unified approach when working with clients, be it businesses or individuals.
“All of the matters we handle,we usually handle together," St. Louis said. "We interview all our clients together, and we work on the cases together. Clients get the best of two attorneys, not just one.”
With several cases in different counties and Morris licensed to practice in Connecticut as well as Florida, the two hope to expand their practice across state lines within five years, with aims of opening at least three new offices, possibly expanding their practice into other areas of law.