Roberts Law Group | Raleigh, NC
Roberts Law Group, PLLC was founded in 2007 by Patrick Roberts, a seasoned attorney with previous experience as an Assistant District Attorney with Wake, Johnson and New Hanover counties. The growing firm has offices in Raleigh, Wilmington and Charlotte. The business is thriving, but in the beginning Patrick wasn’t so sure about setting out on his own.
During a conversation with his mother about his career direction, she suggested that he start his own practice. He knew he had the skills and experience, but he was concerned about the “what ifs” of starting and possibly failing in business. After researching and developing a business plan, he decided to give entrepreneurship a chance.
During its first year, Roberts Law Group operated provided business, estate planning, and criminal defense law services to Wake and surrounding counties in North Carolina. In 2008, the law firm increased its focus on criminal law, a business model that leverages Patrick’s experience and skills. Patrick was referred to the SBTDC by the NC Department of Commerce for assistance with business plan development, which included feasibility of his proposed business model.
Patrick’s business counselor, Assistant Regional Center Director Mary Speight of the SBTDC’s NC Central University office, reviewed his business plan and realized that quantifiable research was missing and really needed to confirm the direction for the full-time law firm.
Mary helped Patrick identify market and industry resources to conduct additional industry research. This quantifiable supporting data coupled with his criminal law experience made for a competitive edge and proved to satisfy a market need. Patrick learned from the data that he should focus exclusively on criminal law.
In late 2009, when Patrick was considering expanding the Roberts Law Group into other regions of North Carolina he engaged the SBTDC for more expansive research. Mary enlisted helped from the SBTDC’s Market Research Services to complete a demographic ring study for several counties, including GIS mapping of competitors and IBIS industry reports. Mary also conducted a ProfitCents analysis for the business. The study results and analysis equipped Patrick and his management team with information to help develop strategies and make informed decisions before expanding. The research led to the opening of the Roberts Law Group’s offices in Charlotte and Wilmington.
Roberts Law Group has realized sales growth of over 180% from 2008 to 2012. The Wilmington office opened in 2012, and the Charlotte office opened in 2013. In 6 years, the firm has gone from a one part-time employee to a team of 14 full-time employees. The business continues to grow and distinguish itself from other law firms by having the marketing capacity, style, Internet presence and available business resources such as the SBTDC.
Story originally featured in the SBTDC's 2012-13 Annual Report.
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