Going Solo: sources for contract attorneys
Mar 4th, 2009 | By mrposse | Category: Going Solo
As The National Law Journal reports this week, starting their own firm is becoming layoff option number one for many lawyers who see pink slips coming their way. For full article, click here. As Karen Sloan writes ”cost-conscious clients are more willing than ever to retain smaller outfits that offer lower rates, and new solos can build their practice on that foundation.”
It’s not just BigLaw associates going solo. Posse List members are also thinking “outside the box” in their efforts to move away from regular contract attorney work, even many squeezed by loan obligations, etc.
One of the pioneers in providing advice for ”going solo” and/or setting up a small firm is Carolyn Elefant, author of Solo by Choice and a blog My Shingle which you an access by clicking here.
And now solos are even getting their own university. Practice management consultant Susan Cartier Liebel recently announced that her long-planned Solo Practice University will open its doors March 20th. As she explains, SPU will be “a web-based educational and professional networking community for lawyers and law students staffed with outstanding faculty ready to teach you how to create and build your solo practice.”
Another book is Jay Foonberg’s How to Start and Build a Law Practice.
And there are scores of other web links but for now we’ll start you off with these (with more to come on our new site):
Blogging lawyers — building a practice
Kimberly Alderman: “You Say You Want a (Solo) Revolution”
Lisa Solomon’s Legal Research and Writing Pro
The 2009 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide: Critical Decisions Made Simple
Providing this information at this time is a very good service that the Posse List is offering to the legal community and you should be commended for it.
Check out Carolyn Elefant’s “Solo by Choice” book. Really great and as good as (if not better) than Foonberg’s tome.
What Carl said. As for what Matt said, if Elefant’s book is better than Foonberg’s she deserves a Nobel Prize because I regard both of Foonberg’s books (how to get and keep good clients/start and build a law practice) as near the Bible.
We may be able to help others going through the process save a little time by posting experience with website creation services, premises leasing, malpractice insurance comparisons etc. in a centralized location. Just a thought.
Wonderful idea to provide the above list for those looking at going solo. And thank you so much for including http://blawginglawyers.com in the list.
Dear Posse List Publishers: I have to say that your e-mails are all so relevant and bright in every respect, including humor! I made the decision to go solo in mid-February. It is the most exciting career move I’ve made, even though I am naive about what faces me. A former employer, a sole practitioner, recently said
to me, “Take it one case at a time”, and I am planning to do just that. I’ve never felt so comfortable about a career choice as I feel about this; yet it would not have happened for me without this devastating economy.I’m delighted to hear that you are supporting this area for us as well, because I’m sure there will be many tough days ahead.Thanks for all you’ve done to assist us in finding our way, during these
uncertain months. You’ve been awesome!
I tweeted this post because it is terrific as is this site for those considering venturing forth on their own. Thank you so much for mentioning Solo Practice University. Though not planned to coincide with these incredible layoffs within the legal profession, the timeliness of our opening cannot be denied.