Going Solo: sources for contract attorneys

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):

A Guide to self-employment

Blogging lawyers — building a practice

Building a law 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