"I'm the best lawyer in the World. Thanks for asking."

You’re at that business cocktail mixer and Prospective Referral Source/Client approaches and asks your profession. “Umm, I’m a lawyer,” is your sheepish response. That is quite frequently the most common way we introduce ourselves, but is also the least effective. Every businessperson should have an “elevator” speech at the ready for these situations.  If someone, while you are in an elevator, asks you what to do, by the time the person steps off, they will know what sets you apart. Hopefully, they will also know your name.

A typical elevator speech for a divorce attorney may be, “I’m a lawyer in solo practice helping individuals and families deal with the legal ramifications of divorce, child custody, visitation, and support with an emphasis on protecting my clients assets and making the process as least contentious for all involved.” This tells the listener what you do and what makes you different from everyone else.

Feel free to make your own and give it some practice; It should roll off your tongue. Don’t worry about sounding too slick; the listener will appreciate actually receiving a substantive answer to their question!

--Shane Jimison