Working independently doesn't mean working in isolation There are a lot of benefits to working as an independent lawyer, but one thing that you might miss about working in a big practice a big professional and social network. If you work in a big firm, you have a built-in network of colleagues on-site. If you work on your own, [...]
How to avoid burning out as an independent lawyer It is challenging to run a successful solo law firm. You don’t have any partners to help you when your case load gets to be too much. You have a choice to turn away business, but most entrepreneurs end up taking on too much workload. That leads [...]
Leaving well helps protect your reputation when launching a solo law practice Moving from big law to independent law practice is an exciting time. Whatever your reason for leaving a big law firm, it is crucial to leave that job on good terms. The person you treat poorly on the way out may be somebody [...]
Factors to consider before starting a new law firm You just graduated from law school, you passed the bar, you're sitting on tens of thousands of dollars of student loans, and you still haven't landed that plum law firm job. You're at a crossroads where you ask: should you continue your job search and seek [...]
The benefits of working as an independent lawyer Two thousand hours. Two thousand billable hours. That is the goal most big law firms set for newly hired lawyers. While it does not sound like much on paper, this figure does not include time spent on necessary administrative tasks, such as filing court paperwork, keeping one's work space organized and speaking [...]
Work-life balance for independent lawyers Whether you are just starting out on your own or you already have a successful independent law practice, work-life balance can be a challenge. It can be difficult to run a successful small business because you are pulled in so many directions. You have to please your clients, keep up with [...]
Marketing your law practice is key to building business The law industry is seeing a new era of solo lawyers as compared to the old era of "big law" and, with that shift, we see more independent lawyers looking to master their own marketing. Marketing a solo law practice does not have to be difficult. However, it [...]
Cloud-based tools can help independent lawyers build their business We live in a day and age where an independent lawyer does not need a traditional office or an assistant to run a successful solo law practice. An independent lawyer does, however, need to put his or her head in the cloud. That is, an independent [...]
Creating a positive brand using social media For many aspiring lawyers, social networks mean everything. In starting an independent law practice, social media can be a gateway to building clientele and a strong personal and professional network. Unless the settings are private, anyone can view your social media account activity. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, [...]
