This article, Graying of the Bar (Seattle Times, 4/10/06) raises some concerns for solo and small firm lawyers reaching the later stages of their careers. As the article describes, state bars are finding that they are investigating more complaints against older lawyers who may be suffering from mental health issues, but continue to practice law.
The Solo Majority
In her article Small Shops Do the Heavy Lifting, Lovely Dhillon quotes a statistic that I’ve known for a long time, that in fact was my impetus for starting this site: a majority of firms in the U.S. are solo and small practices, a whopping 89 percent in fact.
Even though solo practitioners and
ISO The Money Quote for Briefs
I’ve spent much of the past three weeks in seclusion, almost exclusively focused on a 75 page response in opposition to two summary judgment motions in a federal civil rights matter that I’ve been handling for close to four years. During the process, I had a chance to read some classic Supreme Court and Circuit
Cherry Blossoms, 2005
David Giacalone reminded me that it’s cherry blossom time here in DC. Unfortunately, I have been so busy with a very important brief that I don’t think I will have a chance to see them this year. But here are some photos from 2005:
The Journey to Solo Practice Begins With a Shingle Step
Just got word of two new blogs contemplating a leap to solo practice – Basquette and Talk About Solo, as well as one new solo, Not Guilty, who has just launched. Who knows – maybe you’ll be next!
Update: And there’s yet another one, Oklahoma Solo.
Small Time Lawyer, Big Time Impact
This article on the death of New York attorney, Joel Scelsi, will make you proud to be called a “small town lawyer.” Where else can you handle such a wide array of cases and be known around town as the person to go to for help if someone finds themselves in trouble.
After reading articles
Who Answers Your Phones: Man or Machine?
Tom Kane of Legal Marketing Blog posts on the importance of a human answering a phone. Tom is certainly right that you shouldn’t regularly let phone calls go to voice mail, particularly when you’re in the office. At the same time, I’m not so certain about the importance of having a receptionist pick up.
Resource Article
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Pros and Cons of Independent Practice
Greatest American Lawyer posts on the mostly good of independent practice and links to this post by Russ Krajec on a similar theme.
Doctor-Patient, Clients or Customers?
Lawyers aren’t the only ones starting to focus on the importance of client relations (as evidenced by the proliferation of blogs like What About Clients and In Search of Perfect Client Service). Peter Salgo, a professor of medicine at Columbia University, has this op-ed piece The Doctor Will See You Now for Seven Minutes