tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post5217932699100428967..comments2024-01-23T04:12:56.180-08:00Comments on My Law License: Selling Solo PracticeMy Law Licensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487117416844299246noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post-85028015784521940522012-06-06T10:04:39.865-07:002012-06-06T10:04:39.865-07:00I knew you would've said that, Jordan. I coul...I knew you would've said that, Jordan. I could've written the response for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post-55205293412705346682012-06-06T09:15:27.431-07:002012-06-06T09:15:27.431-07:00Looking forward to that post, Jordan. As an underc...Looking forward to that post, Jordan. As an undercapitalized young lawyer, I wish I had heard more of that message before I started. I try to stick firm to my ethics, and have turned down bad clients (or cases out of my comfort zone) many times, even as recently as last week. But sometimes it can be very tempting. The ethical dilemmas arise on a damn-near daily basis...<br /><br />It's not always true, however, that all newby lawyers have no network and don't know what they're doing. I'm practicing in my home town and I know a lot of people, so by far my biggest source of clients are referrals from friends or family. And those are typically the best clients. And thank goodness for my Legal Clinic in law school and my summer associateship at legal aid. Without that experience I would have virtually no idea what I'm doing, and almost certainly would not have hanged a shingle.Rob Switzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06778772516365396329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post-75084060410920163732012-06-06T08:18:10.771-07:002012-06-06T08:18:10.771-07:00Did you read the part where I said "clerked&q...Did you read the part where I said "clerked"? You know, clerking, as in, working for law firms in a research capacity while still in law school? (reading is so hard). <br /><br />Hint: I put my (in)experience on my lawyer website. So does my partner. You can Google it. Just like you did... <br /><br />Nah, I came on Brian's blog to over-inflate my experience. Really.Jordan Rushiehttp://www.phillylawblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post-49416253088296881002012-06-06T07:27:25.587-07:002012-06-06T07:27:25.587-07:00thats interesting Jordan - you graduated in '0...thats interesting Jordan - you graduated in '08 but somehow have 7 years experience?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6834335945349958946.post-11914398271273744722012-06-05T09:00:49.002-07:002012-06-05T09:00:49.002-07:00Great post, Brian.
I am going to get around to w...Great post, Brian. <br /><br />I am going to get around to writing piece about the biggest problem I see with other young lawyers: undercapitalization. Both financially and in terms of a network. <br /><br />There are no jobs, that's true. But they feel they're entitled to practice law. So they buy the "Solo Dream!" Anyone with a law license and hang a shingle and profit! Susan Cartier Liebel said so! Look at Rachel Rodgers! <br /><br />Reality quickly sets in. Bar dues, health insurance, mortgage payment, rent, phones, dry cleaning, student loans, etc become due. To keep it going, they have to take on every client who walks in their door. "You ate a bay leaf and you want to sue? Sure, I'll take your $500 to file a suit for you!"<br /><br />They've also got no network. So to get more clients, they're forced to post free ads on Craigslist or the Pennysaver. Now they're known by their peers and clients as a "Craigslist attorney." I'm sure only the best clients find lawyers to handle their important legal matters on Craigslist. <br /><br />And to top it off, they have no idea what they're doing. I just had a n00b solo ask if you can use responses to interrogatories in depositions... (hint: yes). This means someone is actually paying an attorney who doesn't know you can use written discovery in depositions.<br /><br />Then combine this with the difficulty of running a business, paying taxes, having appropriate licenses, and learning how to manage files from start to finish. It's no small task.<br /><br />If you have no money, no network, no experience, and a legal degree, my advice would be to do something else entirely instead of starting a solo practice. Or take the crappy job making $10 an hour, learn how to be a lawyer, and build your network. I clerked for 3 years and worked as an associate for about 4 years before hanging a shingle. And I'm still green as hell. We also keep a years worth of operating expenses in the bank so we can tell bad potential clients "No thanks. Keep your $1000." <br /><br />This "everyone everywhere should just start a solo practice!" nonsense is equally horrible for both clients and young lawyers.Jordan Rushiehttp://www.phillylawblog.comnoreply@blogger.com