After deciding to open his own law office last April after his February layoff, attorney Nick Richardson had little time to plan the launch of his Palatine, Ill.-based Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson and www.nickrichardsonlaw.com/. Fortunately, family, former clients and fellow attorneys stepped in to help. Armed with a start-up loan from family and advice from successful solo practitioners, Richardson started the arduous task of hanging his own shingle in the worst economy of his life. 

My long-term plan always involved opening my own office, but I had no idea its opening would be before I turned 35 or in the economic mayhem of 2009, says Richardson. Since Ive been practicing in the NW suburbs of Chicago for 6 years now, I have an awesome base of clients and attorneys who refer potential clients my way. In fact, at least 90 percent of my business is based on referrals.

As of January 1, Richardson moved into his own office space sharing a reception area with the Law Office of Sandra Stemer Coscino, P.C. His overhead remains low, but this time, he had time to prepare for moving from subleased space into his own suite612at 800 E. Northwest Highway.

Richardson offers free initial consultations to his clients and encourages potential clients to at least meet with an attorney before attempting to navigate our legal system on their own. I give an hour initial consultation at no charge, as do many attorneys, he says. The best advice I can giveIf you believe that you have a legal issue, pick up the phone take advantage of the advice before a small problem becomes a big one!

The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson’s can reached by phone at 847.221.3620 or by email at nicholaswrichardson -at- gmail.com

About Us: Were a married couple living in Schaumburg. Nick runs his own law office, www.nickrichardsonlaw.com/, and I work in communications promoting eggs. Want email us? Send us your thoughts and comments to: Therichardsonstakeatgmail.com.