Ready To Fly Solo? Preparing For Practicing On Your Own.

By Sabrina Siracusa

Let’s face it: Being part of a law firm with multiple associates can feel like a security blanket. A firm provides the security of having a consistent stream of new clients, which is so important, especially when you are first starting out. So, why do so many lawyers try to fly solo when there are as many pitfalls as there are good reasons for doing so? The following tips can help you save time, money and frustration when taking the leap toward practicing on your own

Learn To Create Balance

As a solo practitioner, you will always need to wear your entrepreneurial hat. (Not an easy task for most lawyers as this is not something taught in law school.) You have to quickly learn to do the legal work, manage your office and grow your practice.

A solo practice requires devotion and time. It’s important to have realistic expectations to avoid becoming mentally and physically overwhelmed with the conflicting demands to market your practice, practice law and handle the day-to-day details like finding a temp when your paralegal or secretary calls out sick during a critical time.

Brush Up On Organizational Skills

If being highly organized is not one of your strong traits, hire a staff member who is and learn from them. A successful solo practitioner needs good organizational, time management and business skills. Any deficiency in these areas can lead to financial problems, a malpractice claim or a brush with the bar association.

You will also need a marketing plan, which includes outlining who your prospective clients are and how you will pursue them. And don’t forget one critical question to consider: Your specialty.

You will also have to be very careful about budgeting and spending. Consider sharing an office, a home office use or a “virtual office” with the occasional rental of a meeting room. Invest in good quality computers, printers and case management software. Don’t buy luxury furniture or art, rent pricey office space, purchase a full library, or buy expensive client entertainment until after you have established your firm.

Be Fully Committed To Your Solo Practice

You need to be 100 percent committed to maintain the drive necessary to succeed. Be sure you do the necessary soul searching before you launch your practice and have your family support already in place. Often, when revenue does not come in fast enough to meet family expectation and needs, a spouse may pressure the solo practitioner to walk away and get a “real” job. In that scenario, it’s easy to lose hope and give up.

Find Your Courage

Going solo is not for the faint of heart. You have to be strong enough to refuse to represent just anyone who walks in the door and wants to hire you. You will need to have the courage to discuss your fees and payment arrangements up front. You need to have the fortitude to put a file aside when a client doesn’t pay their bill. Be confident about your self-worth, charge appropriately for your hard work, and don’t hesitate to put yourself out there for new clients and referrals. The solo practitioners who succeed are those who have courage and determination.

Maintain Excellent Customer Service

Treat your clients well and they will return the favor. As a solo practitioner, it’s about establishing relationships with your clients so they refer business back to you. If you fail to provide great service, you will eventually lose clients and sources for referrals.

Don’t Go At It Alone

Avoid the mistakes made by fellow attorneys that do not discover or take advantage of resources. Don’t waste valuable time and money. Reach out to your local, state or national bar association to get information on free or low-cost resources to assist you. Also, reach out to fellow attorneys and offer to take on cases they receive in areas of practice they do not specialize in. When you are ready to start your solo practice, there is no need to do it entirely alone.