An Interview with David A. Moyer, a Successful Freelance Paralegal

David A. Moyer

Moyer is a paralegal/notary and owner of Moyer Paralegal Services in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. (http://www.moyerparalegal.com). Using his 14 years’ paralegal experience in a various areas of law, including bankruptcy, business, consumer, family law, and probate, Moyer provides paralegal services under the supervision of an attorney. His expertise includes bankruptcy petition preparation, document preparation, legal research, consumer protection issues, mobile notary and notary signing agent services.

Moyer has appeared as a guest lecturer at the Ursuline College Paralegal Program and the Institute for Paralegal Education (IBP). He is an Associate Member (Paralegal Committee) of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), and president/ co-founder of the former American Freelance Paralegal Association (AFPA).

Moyer holds an Associate Degree from Stark State College of Technology, B.A. degree from Walsh University, and a Paralegal Certificate from the Academy of Court Reporting and Legal Studies.

Interview with David Moyer

1. How long have you been a freelancer?

I have been a freelancer since 1996, about 13 years.

2. What was the hardest part of starting your company?

Doing all the research and due diligence necessary to start a business, and then doing all of the paperwork necessary to start a business. Coming up with a business plan and planning for the business in general (i.e., marketing, advertising, operations, and other aspects of running a business.) has been difficult and time-consuming. Overall, I would say the hardest part is planning and setting up a business, the start-up.

3. Do you work from home or have an office elsewhere?

I have a home office.

4. How many hours do you usually work a week?

I usually work 50 to 60 hours per week.

5. How many reoccurring clients do you have?

I haven’t really taken the time to take an actual tally, but right now, a rough guess would be that 50% of my clients are repeat business.

6. How do you handle conflict of interest issues?

To date, I haven’t experienced any.

7. What size firms give you most of your business?

Generally, most of the firms I work for are individuals and solo practitioners.

8. Where does most of your income come from in your business?

Most of my income comes from individual consumers and from the internet via my website and search engines.

9. How do you market your business?

I market my business through word-of-mouth referrals, a website, telephone book listings, social networking, internet presence in search engines, belonging to local paralegal/bar associations (also networking), direct mail, my Yahoo group, and many free listings/ads in online business directories.

10. How is the recession affecting your business?

In 2001, 2008, and 2009, I saw a drop in the number of clients due to a recession, with the exception of bankruptcies.

11. Do you enjoy the signing agent aspect of your business?

Yes, it’s interesting and fun, although it’s not something that I have done in awhile.

12. What are your greatest obstacles in your freelance business?

It’s been a challenge to keep a positive cash flow and to market my business and myself.

13. Would you recommend starting a freelance business during this recession?

It can be a viable option because jobs are scarce right now, but it all depends on the area you pick to go into. For example, this is a good time to be a bankruptcy petition preparer; however, if you don’t have adequate resources to get you through the lean times, you may want to rethink it.

14. What was your most interesting assignment?

I have a client whose ancestor founded Florida and received a grant from King of Spain; I did case law research for him.

15. What advice would you give to paralegals just starting out as a freelancer?

Work hard, don’t expect immediate profits and be prepared to hang in there to get through rough periods. Don’t expect a 9 to 5 job. If you discover after a time that you are not cut out to be a business owner, cut your losses and get out fast.

16. What are the secrets to your success?

Hard work and perseverance; I try to follow this motto:

“When a man is motivated by EXCELLENCE, success follows.”