How to Implement a Subscription Model for Legal Services feat. Mathew Kerbis

Mathew Kerbis’s Background

Mathew Kerbis is a practicing attorney based in the Chicagoland area. He transitioned from a litigation background to focusing on transactional law, driven by his desire to innovate and adapt to the changing legal landscape. Mathew is the founder of Subscription Attorney LLC, offering subscription-based legal services for freelancers and small business owners. His innovative business model provides affordable access to legal counsel, addressing the access to justice issue faced by many individuals and businesses.

"I'm fractionalized in-house counsel for everyday people. So they could contact me about any issue that might be going on in their life," shares Mathew Kerbis on You Are A Lawyer.

Mathew’s journey into entrepreneurship and podcasting was influenced by his involvement in the American Bar Association and his passion for providing real value to young lawyers. He emphasizes the importance of combining legal expertise with business acumen, a skill set not typically taught in law school. Through his Law Subscribed podcast and Subscription Attorney services, Kerbis aims to bridge the gap between legal services and everyday individuals, offering transparent pricing and access to legal resources.

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Why Law School

Mathew initially chose to attend law school due to a pivotal moment in a philosophy class where his instructor highlighted the connection between philosophy courses and success on the LSAT for a potential career in law. This revelation sparked a newfound interest in pursuing a legal career, leading Mathew to delve deeper into the field of law and ultimately solidify his decision to attend law school.

"If you want to pursue a career in law, make sure that in college or outside of the classroom, you're learning everything about business and running a business as much as you can," reflects Mathew Kerbis on Episode 154 of You Are a Lawyer.

Throughout his time in law school and beyond, Mathew has come to appreciate the foundational skills acquired in law school, particularly the ability to think like a lawyer. While acknowledging the limitations of traditional legal education in preparing individuals for the practical aspects of running a law practice, Mathew emphasizes the value of honing critical thinking skills in law school. He advises aspiring lawyers to supplement their legal education with a strong understanding of business principles, recognizing the importance of being well-versed in both legal and business aspects to succeed in the legal profession.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

Having a law degree opens up various opportunities beyond traditional legal practice. One option is to innovate the legal field by offering subscription-based legal services, as Mathew has done with his business, Subscription Attorney LLC. This model allows everyday people, including freelancers and small business owners, to access legal counsel at an affordable rate. Mathew's approach demonstrates that with a law degree, individuals can create unique and accessible legal services tailored to specific client needs.

"Law school gets a lot of flack for just teaching you how to think like a lawyer, because it doesn't teach you how to run a law firm or a law practice or how to actually practice law in whatever way you're practicing law," explains Mathew Kerbis, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

A law degree can also lead to roles as fractionalized in-house counsel, providing legal advice and services to individuals and businesses on a subscription basis. This approach not only addresses the access to justice issue but also allows lawyers to serve a broader range of clients and offer valuable legal guidance. By leveraging their legal expertise and thinking like a lawyer, individuals with a law degree, like Mathew Kerbis, can create innovative solutions and business models that cater to the evolving needs of clients.

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Lawyer Side Hustles

Mathew Kerbis, the Subscription Attorney, shared his experience of starting his own virtual law practice with a subscription-based model while also running a podcast. He emphasized the importance of thinking like a lawyer but also learning about business and entrepreneurship outside of law school.

“Law school doesn't teach you how to do that. It teaches you how to think like a lawyer, which works, and I've come around on that a little bit, but since law school is so lacking in that area, I've just consumed as much as I can about running a business and how to be efficient and all that,” shares Mathew Kerbis in Episode 154 of You Are a Lawyer.

Having a side business as a lawyer can not only provide additional income but also offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. Mathew's journey from a litigator to a transactional attorney and entrepreneur showcases the possibilities of pursuing side hustles in the legal field. By leveraging his legal expertise and passion for performance arts, Mathew was able to create a unique business model that caters to freelancers and small business owners.

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Contact Mathew Kerbis

Mathew Kerbis is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Learn more about Mathew | Subscription Attorney LLC

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