Are you a lawyer interested in obtaining the skills and resources necessary to build an innovative and successful law practice targeting the middle market?

Are you interested in making a positive impact on your community as a social entrepreneur?

Do you value autonomy and wellbeing?

If yes, then Legal Entrepreneurs for Justice might be a good fit for you!

Legal Entrepreneurs for Justice (LEJ) is a small business incubator empowering lawyers to lead socially conscious law firms and innovative businesses that offer valuable, cost-effective legal services and products to consumers of all incomes. We believe in the power of entrepreneurial lawyers to make a difference as solo practitioners in the quest to ensure access to justice for all.

The need for LEJ was first identified several years ago and championed by Justice Melissa Hart of the Colorado Supreme Court. The origins of LEJ focused on serving a target market of legal consumers who fall into the so-called "justice gap": individuals who make too much money to qualify for free legal services, but not enough to pay traditional market rates and assume the risk and inherent uncertainty of the traditional legal pricing model, the billable hour. Those principles remain in place today as LEJ aims to provide a for-profit solution to improving access to legal services that extends beyond typical legal aid and that provides access to affordable, reliable legal services to people with moderate incomes.

Increasing the availability of affordable, reliable legal services for these individuals will improve access to justice in Colorado. LEJ's goal is to expand legal services and solutions to middle-income legal consumers by developing new, market-based models of legal service to serve them, while being the basis for sustainable and profitable legal practices. LEJ lawyers are committed to offering predictable pricing and flexible representation options and leveraging technology and innovation from other industries to increase client engagement and efficiency.

Participants in LEJ develop their practices while receiving training, mentoring, and other support on business and legal issues as well as office space and other infrastructure as they get started. The 12-18 month program is broken into three 6-month modules. In the first module, participants receive training, workshops, and coaching on business and other issues needed to start a solo/small practice. Participants establish their own independent practices (including providing their own malpractice insurance), begin handling cases in areas traditionally needed by middle-income legal consumers, and strive to offer predictable and set fee billing models for their services. During the second and third modules, participants develop fuller caseloads and continue to receive training, mentoring, and coaching on business and legal issues as they prepare to move their practices out of LEJ at the end of the 18 months.

LEJ is currently seeking applications for its next class of participants who will begin the program in January 2023.

About LEJ Participants

LEJ is seeking lawyers who are:

• Seeking autonomy and are enthusiastic about the prospect of becoming a social entrepreneur
• Dedicated to establishing a long-term practice that serves the legal needs of people of all incomes, including the middle market
• Committed to providing access to justice and using the practice of law to enrich the lives of legal consumers and build better communities
• Interested in using technology and innovation to find new ways of providing cost-effective legal services
• Excited to explore new ideas about problem-solving and the practice of law by using a collaborative approach with other program lawyers, leaders in the legal profession, community partners, and clients

Participants must:

• Have an entrepreneurial spirit
• Have a demonstrated commitment to public service and access to justice
• Have the ability to learn and apply new skills in high-need areas of law and inspire confidence in clients and the legal community
• Have work experience indicating an aptitude for successfully operating your own business
• Be creative, flexible, and adaptable to changing circumstances
• Be a member of the Colorado bar in good standing at the start of the program (those who have taken the CO bar exam and are awaiting exam results may apply; acceptance into the program will be conditioned on passing the bar exam and being admitted to practice)
• Commit to 18 months of active participation in the LEJ, and plan to continue practicing after participation

Those chosen to participate in the program will receive:

• Top-notch training on substance, skills, and law practice management
• Expert coaching and assistance on business issues including business development
• Mentoring from experienced and respected practitioners, including LEJ alumni
• Shared office space in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and peer mentoring
• Practice resources including law practice management technology and legal research tools
• Access to a variety of helpful networks through the Colorado Bar Association and other partners
• The ability to collaborate with peers and other successful practitioners

Info Sessions

Registration for October information sessions can be found here: https://www.lejco.org/info-sessions/

Application Process

We currently welcome new classes in January each year. We are now accepting applications for the January 2023 class and will continue to accept applications through November 1, 2022.

You can apply for the program by visiting: https://www.lejco.org/apply/. The application consists of (1) a resume, (2) a law school transcript, (3) a statement of interest of no more than four pages describing (a) your vision for your life and how your business will help you achieve your life vision and goals, (b) your vision for your practice (including practice areas and target markets) and your participation in the LEJ, and (c) a circumstance when you have demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative or another experience that demonstrates your ability to be a successful social entrepreneur.

Interviews will be held between mid-November and early December. Selections will be made at least three weeks prior to the January 9, 2023 start date.