Solo Practice

Book Review - Effective Lawyering - Parrish/Yokoyama

Posted on January 30, 2008
Austen L. Parrish and Dennis T. Yokoyama have authored a little bible for legal writing called Effective Lawyering; A Checklist Approach to Legal Writing & Oral Argument.  Both Associate Professor of Law Parrish and Professor of Law Yokoyama teach at Southwestern Law School...

7 Ways to Overcome Fear of Failure When Starting A Solo Practice

Posted on January 27, 2008
(Hat tip to the Non-traditional law student for pointing me in the direction of this blog post by PicktheBrain, While general in nature, it is highly applicable to the fears felt by those wishing to open a solo practice.  Read, absorb, reread...

"Tip of the Week" - The PR Value of Letters To The Editor

Posted on January 27, 2008
Hat tip to Paramjit Mahli over at Profiting With Public Relations for this important reminder about the great PR value of a Letter to the Editor that costs you nothing but can reap great rewards:How many times have you read a newspaper article about a topic  that is your area of interest and legal expertise ?and felt disheartened and disappointed that you were not the person who was being quoted? How could you be quoted, the reporter doesn't know who you are and what you do...

Book Review - Solo By Choice - Carolyn Elefant

Posted on January 26, 2008
Students of literature are not taught how to create masterpieces. Theirs is an instruction in the art of deconstruction - how to rip their favourite authors' work to pieces and be critical. No wonder so few wonderful books are ever written. All the best potential talents are rounded up and forced through an 'educational process' which forces them to find fault with perfection...

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Class Action Claiming Bias in Loan Rates Filed Against Sallie Mae

Posted on January 25, 2008
Are you eligible to be part of this Class Action filed against Sallie Mae claiming students face race bias in loan rates?Attorneys for the plaintiffs, who are seeking class action status, say they believe the suit could end up affecting "many thousands of students, if not more...

Do You Know What Questions to Ask Prospective Clients? Do You Know How to Listen To Their Answers?

Posted on January 25, 2008
Do you REALLY know what questions to ask prospective clients (PC) or current clients?  And do you really know how to LISTEN to what is being said? You may have copied an intake list from a former employer or a client satisfaction survey from another successful attorney and maybe modified it for the size of your firm or practice area...

Going Solo; Confessions and Inspirations - Dawn Elaine Bowie

Posted on January 24, 2008
Going Solo; Confessions and Inspirations - Dawn Elaine Bowie Attorney Bowie is a solo practitioner in Rockville, Maryland who was a non-trad law student, a mother with three children.  She is also a solo who caters to a very specific niche market, the divorcing father who is passionate about being a part of his childrens' lives and helps them before, during and after the dissolution process...

Book Review - 'Later in Life Lawyers' by Charles Cooper

Posted on January 22, 2008
(It would appear I'm gaining some blogosphere status as recently I have had several authors asking me to review their books on this site.  I am very far behind in my reading so apologies to all. I appreciate your patience.  I will soon be reviewing Solo by Choice - Carolyn Elefant, and Effective Lawyering, A Checklist Approach to Legal Writing & Oral Argument - Austen L...

Virtual Law Office(VLO) - It's Not Your Mother's Law Office - Guest Blogger, Stephanie Kimbro

Posted on January 21, 2008
Guest Blogger Stephanie Kimbro is an attorney practicing in Wilmington, North Carolina.  I asked Stephanie if she would guest post on Build A Solo Practice because she represents, in my opinion, the law office of many future solos.  She operates her office completely virtual...

Is Kirsten Wolf the Law Grad Norm?

Posted on January 20, 2008
I'm posting the recent WSJ interview with Kirsten Wolf , graduate of Boston University School of Law, because I would like to ask the simple question:  Is Kirsten Wolf the law grad norm in 2008?  I was like a B+ student, right there in the middle with most people...

"Tip of the Week" - Using Self-Publishing as a Marketing Tool

Posted on January 20, 2008
Imagine handing your new client a book authored and published by you explaining to them everything they need to know about the legal process for personal injury, divorce, medical malpractice, criminal defense work, bankruptcy and including resources for emotional support, suggested reading materials, court locations and more...

Who'd Have Thought My Newsletter Would Be Helping a Young Law Student in China?

Posted on January 18, 2008
On New Year's Day I received this e-mail from a young law student in China.  (Yes, apparently he was able to get through.) While the English is fractured and at times the message a little confusing due to translation, (I corrected some misspelling and punctuation for easier reading) I think you will understand the general tone and issue:E-mail #1: Firstly, Happy New Year...

Would You Call This "Riding the Third Wave?"

Posted on January 16, 2008

Tuition-Free Law School for Activists? Am I Dreaming? No. It's Real.

Posted on January 16, 2008
It's not a dream.  It's not a fantasy.  At first blush this may be no different then full boat scholarships at other law schools, but this one really does smell different.  Scholarship at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law in Washington, D...

Blawg Review Nominations

Posted on January 14, 2008
As today was my first time ever hosting Blawg Review, I didn't realize I was eligible to vote until the illustrious Ed. (editor) said I was.  Given how much time I put into Blawg Review #142 I can now appreciate that which I didn't fully before.  It's an honor and hard work...

Blawg Review #142

Posted on January 14, 2008
(This Blawg Review is designed as a Letter to New Lawyer.  I've incorporated the interesting names of many legal blogs as part of the narrative but you will have no clue what the topic of each blog post is until you click on the link.  Hopefully you will have fun discovering each blog post...

"Tip of the Week" - Get 'Jott' ing

Posted on January 13, 2008
I'm late to the game on this one as I've read previous posts on the wonders of Jott.  But better late than never.  I've become a convert. Jott is a terrific free service in beta. You call Jott toll free and you make notes to yourself without having to 'jot' it on a piece of paper which you inevitably lose...

Lawyer Auctions His Diploma on E-Bay for the Price of his Education

Posted on January 10, 2008
A very angry new lawyer decides to auction his diploma on E-bay hoping to recoupe what he perceives as a miserable investment: So America... just how much is an education worth? Let's find out. Up for sale is my law degree. Yes, you read correctly...

I'm Hosting Blawg Review #142 - Join the Fun

Posted on January 09, 2008
Well, it's finally my turn to host Blawg Review January 14, 2008 and I'm ridiculously nervous.  Ed. said, 'drugs and alcohol.'  Well, I'm a chocolate and Diet Coke kinda girl. There are those who abhor a theme but you may like this one and want to participate with your submission...

The "What is Value Billing" Discussion Continues....

Posted on January 09, 2008
In response to "The Billable Hour Bash-a-thon Continues" post (you may want to click through to refresh your memory and put the Q & A below in context) I received a thoughtful comment from Per Gynt, a 49 year old law student, which I wanted to publish...

More Reasons Bankruptcy is a Good Practice Area for Solos

Posted on January 09, 2008
If you have followed my blog you know I believe bankruptcy will be a great area for solos to get into for a myriad of reasons.  Here is just one more reason to consider this practice area which will give you many clients.  According to the Bankruptcy Law Network:Proposed new bankruptcy legislation designed to help troubled homeowners will benefit consumers without hurting the industry...

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To My Law Office Management Class - It Was Cancelled!

Posted on January 08, 2008
Tonight, January 8, 2008, would have marked the beginning of my eighth year at Quinnipiac University School of Law teaching law students how to open their own law practice right out of law school. Yet, effective immediately my Law Office Management Class has been cancelled...

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