March – Success
Anne Byrne with Byrne Law Office is a VirtualOffiCenter client and our Success feature for March. Anne has been practicing family law for over ten years and after leaving another law firm, she decided to start her own practice at Olympic Place OffiCenter! She provides personal, high quality, cost-effective assistance to clients that are going through various difficulties in their lives. Anne also gives back to her community by providing pro bono legal work to various organizations. You can learn more about Anne at ByrneLawOffice.com and read on to see her answers to our questionnaire.
Every business has a story, tell us yours. After years of working in another small law firm, I decided at the “young” age of 55 to start my own law firm. Having my own firm allows me to focus on certain areas of law, specifically family law, probate and estate planning. It also allows me the opportunity to provide high quality, personalized service to a select group of clients.
You were chosen as this month’s Success Client, why? I’m not sure!
No one likes to brag about their business, but if you HAD TO . . . I am proud of the fact that even though most of my clients are going through a very difficult time in their lives (such as a divorce or the death of a loved one) that they are pleased with my services and the results of my efforts. My goal is to help them through the legal process in an efficient and cost-effective way.
I also think it is very important to give back to the community. I provide pro bono legal services to the Children’s Law Center and the Cancer Legal Line. I am also involved as a board member on local non-profit organizations.
We learn from our mistakes, especially in business. Give us some words of wisdom.
Customer service and communication with the client are so important. I have learned over the years to make sure my clients are fully informed about what is going on with their case and make it a priority to contact them as soon as possible as new information is obtained and as the process proceeds.
Share the best advice you ever received. Make sure you have a balance between your professional life and your personal life. Life is short—you need to enjoy your “day job” but leave time for the people and activities that are important to you.
Describe your perfect day off. I have a variety of interests including skiing, hiking, cooking, spending time with family and friends, reading and volunteering. I love a day where I have some time to get outside a bit, enjoy time with friends, and then cook a nice meal for my husband. I also love to travel when I get the chance.
What might someone be surprised to know about you? Not sure—I’m pretty much an open book!
Together we are stronger. Tell us something you like about being our client. I am so pleased that I started my law practice through OffiCenters. I was originally going to have a physical office space but the center was full at the time. Once I started as a virtual I never looked back. I love it! Having a nice office presence where I can meet with my clients is very important and I also like having the phone coverage. I know I can get additional services on an ad hoc basis, which is perfect for a solo practitioner. I work at my home office on a regular basis and can also work from my second home which is out of state, since I know the OffiCenters will scan and email my mail and take care of things in Minnesota.
If you could work anywhere under the sun, where would you choose? I have a pretty nice set up now. My main home base is the Minneapolis area, but we have a second home in Lake Tahoe so I feel fortunate to be able to spend time there every few months. It is the OffiCenters’ support that makes this possible!
How can people CONNECT with you? I offer a free initial consultation on any legal matter. I usually start with a brief phone call with a potential client to get a better understanding of their needs and to confirm that I can help them. That is followed up quickly with the free consultation.
My website and office phone are the best options to start the process: www.ByrneLawOffice.com; 952-943-3909.
