Inspired by ‘Legal Rebel,’ Solo Opens Chicago Legal Café
Chicago Legal Café
Solo practitioner Mazie Harris was inspired to start her new business, the Chicago Legal Café, when she opened up the September issue of the ABA Journal.
An article about “legal rebels” who are remaking the profession featured Jeffrey Hughes, a California lawyer who had opened up a combination coffeehouse and storefront law office in Santa Monica.
“It kind of sparked my attention because I’m always trying to think outside the box” when it comes to the practice of law, Harris tells the ABA Journal. Hughes’ idea was appealing because he served the same clientele as she did—the working-class community. She also liked the idea of providing legal services in a relaxed environment.
“I’ve never seen myself practicing law in a high-rise, that whole kind of traditional approach to practicing law,” she says. Harris favors gym shoes even when she wears a nice blouse or skirt, and wants her clients to feel just as comfortable.
In November, Harris was on a plane to meet with Hughes. She spent three days learning about his practice model and decided to bring the concept to Chicago. The Chicago Legal Café opened for business this spring in the city’s West Loop.
Customers can buy coffee or pastries, and if they have a legal problem, help is available. Harris’ law firm is housed in the café, in a loft area just above the coffee business. Harris handles real estate and civil litigation and has a network of about 15 other lawyers for cases ranging from criminal defense to personal injury to medical malpractice.
Would-be clients who venture into the loft go through an intake procedure and are matched with a lawyer who can handle their problem. The law firm earns the $75 fee the clients pay for a consultation with a lawyer, and it also receives a one-third referral fee. Harris makes sure all the lawyers in the network have malpractice insurance, requires monthly status reports on the cases, and checks in with the clients as well.
Each lawyer in the network comes to the café once a month for a four-hour stint, although an additional meeting may be scheduled when a new client needs a consultation. One lawyer comes in every Tuesday to draft wills. Copy and fax services are also available.
In a few weeks of operation, Harris’ new law firm has generated about 10 clients. The feedback, she says, has been positive. A lot of the new clients didn’t know where to find a lawyer and didn’t want to just pick one out of the phone book. They liked the relaxed atmosphere and the quick turnaround. They also liked the coffee.
Additional coverage:
Chicago Journal: “Coffee and compiled statutes”
WGN-TV: “Leshock: Coffee Shop-slash-Law Firm Opens In Chicago”
