Getting Started with Legal Leads: A New Subscriber Walkthrough

You just subscribed to Legal Leads. Welcome. Now what? This step-by-step walkthrough covers everything you need to do in your first week to start receiving leads, set up your filters, and get letters in the mail. Most subscribers are fully operational within 24 hours.

Step 1: Choose Your Circuits

After signing up, your first task is selecting which Missouri circuits you want to monitor. If you're not sure where to start:

• Start with your home circuit — the court where you practice most
• Consider adjacent circuits — courts you can easily drive to for appearances
• Check the circuit map — Missouri's 46 circuits cover one or more counties each

You can always add or remove circuits later. There's no penalty for starting small and expanding.

Step 2: Configure Your Case Types

For each circuit, choose which case types you want to receive. The main categories are:

• Criminal — felonies, misdemeanors
• Traffic/Municipal — DUI/DWI, moving violations, municipal ordinances
• Civil — lawsuits, contract disputes
• Probate — estates, guardianship
• Family — divorce, custody, support

Most criminal defense attorneys start with Criminal + Traffic/Municipal. You can always expand later. See our circuit filtering guide for advanced configuration.

Step 3: Set Up Keyword Filters (Optional)

If you want to narrow your leads within a case type, add keywords. For example:

• DUI only: Set Criminal + Traffic case types with include keywords "DWI, DUI, intoxicated"
• Everything except sex offenses: Set Criminal with exclude keywords "sex offense"
• No filter: Leave keywords blank to receive all filings of your selected case types

If you're unsure, skip keyword filters for now. Run with broad coverage for a week or two, review what you're getting, then add keywords to dial in your ideal lead profile.

Step 4: Add Your Conflict List

Before your first leads arrive, set up your conflict filters. Add:

• All current clients — prevents solicitation letters to people you already represent
• Opposing parties in active cases
• Family members of current clients
• Anyone who has asked not to be contacted

This is an ethical must — especially if you plan to use mail outsourcing where letters go out automatically. The conflict filter prevents letters from being sent to anyone on your list.

Step 5: Set Up Client Trackers (Optional but Recommended)

Client Trackers are the flip side of conflict filters. Where conflicts say "don't mail this person," trackers say "notify me when this person appears." Set up trackers for:

• Current clients — know immediately when they pick up new charges
• Key witnesses or co-defendants in active cases
• Former clients who might need representation again

Many attorneys set up both a conflict AND a tracker for the same person — the conflict prevents the form letter, while the tracker sends you a personal notification so you can reach out directly.

Step 6: Prepare Your Letter Template

While you're waiting for your first leads, prepare your solicitation letter. Key requirements:

• "ADVERTISING MATERIAL" on the envelope (required by Rule 4-7.3)
• Your firm letterhead and contact information
• Empathetic, professional tone
• Clear call to action (phone number prominently displayed)
• Source disclosure ("Information obtained from public court records")

If you're using mail outsourcing, our mailing partner will work with you directly to set up your template for their printing system.

Step 7: Your First Leads Arrive

Leads are delivered every business morning. Your first delivery will include all new filings from your selected circuits and case types that were processed the previous day. You'll receive:

• Defendant name and address
• Charges filed
• Case number and court
• Filing date
• Case type details

If you're mailing manually, download your leads and run a mail merge with your letter template. If you're using mail outsourcing, the letters are already being printed and mailed — check your report to see what went out.

Your First Week Checklist