Assignment task:
Emily Smith and two colleagues are considering opening a law office in a large metropolitan area that would make inexpensive legal services available to those who could not otherwise afford services. The intent is to provide easy access for their clients by having the office open 360 days per year, 16 hours each day from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The office would be staffed by a lawyer, paralegal, legal secretary, and clerk-receptionist for each of the two eight-hour shifts. In order to determine the feasibility of the project, Smith hired a marketing consultant to assist with market projections. The results of this study show that if the firm spends $995,000 on advertising the first year, the number of new clients expected each day will be 53. Smith believes this number is reasonable and is prepared to spend the $995,000 on advertising. Other pertinent information about the operation of the office follows: The only charge to each new client would be $63 for the initial consultation. All cases that warrant further legal work will be accepted on a contingency basis with the firm earning 30 percent of any favorable settlements or judgments. Smith estimates that 20 percent of new client