Build A Solo Practice @ SPU

Then click here. You’ll see what I mean

Beyond the usual internet concerns about inadvertently establishing an attorney-client relationship or giving advice on inadequate information, online networking can create ethical risks that might not be readily apparent. This post highlights some ethical risks on four social media sites frequented by lawyers: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

I can’t believe next week, March 20th, will be Solo Practice University’s one year anniversary of educating lawyers and helping them to go solo.
So, no in-depth post this week because I am spending all my time putting the final touches on SPU’s HUGE one year anniversary program to be announced next week.
This event speaks to [...]

In October, 2006 I wrote this column for the Connecticut Law Tribune discussing what was then virgin territory for lawyer marketing, a little known phenomenon called YouTube:
Your Internet presence just got more exciting. Imagine, potential clients can click on your web site and be linked to your personal video introducing them to your services, philosophies [...]

When you build a network of connections, if you just join as a taker, you will be exposed as the opportunist you’ve been flagged to be. This is not what networking is about. Why do so many people get this wrong? No wonder networking is viewed as an intimidating chore by some, those very people who see it as ‘asking’ or ‘begging’ for something first rather than offering genuinely and generously first.

Do not go into solo practice if you see starting your own practice as biding time until ‘THE JOB’ comes along. This will actually harm you professionally as both potential clients and peers will be able to read your attitude immediately. You will be unattractive to clients and those who might have considered you for employment, partnership, referrals or other opportunities.

There is a joke I heard recently from a small law firm who stopped renewing their ABA membership. The lawyer I spoke to said, “We get 13 things for our ABA dues – 12 nice magazines and a bill. Those are very expensive magazines.’ This is from someone who bought in to the idea, ‘graduate law school and join the ABA.’ No longer are students mindlessly joining an organization because it exists. Somewhere along the way any perception of value disappeared.

It’s a trend that began after the economic downturn of the late 1980s, as many laid-off professionals became consultants. Then it seemed temporary, though, tied to bad times. Evidence now suggests that this is our new economic condition. Today, in fact, 20% to 23% of U.S. workers are operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors or micropreneurs. Current projections see the number only rising in coming years.

There is a lot of discussion about unbundled legal services, the breaking down of a given legal process into ‘parts’. Each part can be delegated to a lawyer to handle and paid for by the client or the client can handle themselves based upon their desire and/or budget. A lawyer’s ability to offer unbundled services….

No one, especially not the profession as a whole, law schools or even lawyers themselves, wants to fully acknowledge there is a big pink (or rather very gray) elephant in the room. And this elephant is depression and the fact a significant percentage of attorneys suffer severe and debilitating depression. Especially the solo.