My Shingle

Keeping It Fresh

by Carolyn Elefant on November 21, 2006 · 4 comments

in MyShingle Solo

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At the Legal Profession Blog, Jeff Lipshaw wonders whether it’s natural to spend one’s time "the same firm, doing the same kind of work, progressing in the level of oversight and client contact…."  As a solo, I don’t often feel that way, since I always have the opportunity to reinvent myself and my practice.  Yet sometimes, inertia keeps me in the same place.

So I got to wondering what my solo colleagues do to keep it fresh.  What do you do to ensure that you’re always feeling challenged, that you’re open to new possibilities? For a long time, blogging helped me keep my practice fresh, but after four years, blogging feels a little routine as well. 

So readers, any ideas?  Please post them below.

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  • http://www.SCTrialLaw.com Dave Swanner

    Carolyn,
    I keep it fresh by always learning new things. Being a plaintiff’s attorney in civil litigation there’s *always* something new to learn.
    The dynamics of public speaking
    Design issues in presentation
    Technology in the courtroom
    Psychology of Jurors
    Psychology of group dynamics
    Negotiating Skills
    Medical Issues
    Boiling Issues to the Basics
    Insurance Industry
    and if any of those don’t keep you busy learning how to run a better office should keep you busy for over a career and a half.
    I’m lucky. For the most part, I have good cases, good clients and truly enjoy what I’m doing. I don’t think I could ever get bored with it.

  • http://www.SCTrialLaw.com Dave Swanner

    Carolyn,
    I keep it fresh by always learning new things. Being a plaintiff’s attorney in civil litigation there’s *always* something new to learn.
    The dynamics of public speaking
    Design issues in presentation
    Technology in the courtroom
    Psychology of Jurors
    Psychology of group dynamics
    Negotiating Skills
    Medical Issues
    Boiling Issues to the Basics
    Insurance Industry
    and if any of those don’t keep you busy learning how to run a better office should keep you busy for over a career and a half.
    I’m lucky. For the most part, I have good cases, good clients and truly enjoy what I’m doing. I don’t think I could ever get bored with it.

  • http://wanderingbell.blogspot.com Bill

    Beyond what Mr. Swanner mentioned, I keep it fresh with pro bono work in areas that I don’t normally practice. In San Francisco, where I practice, the VLSP is good at providing the basics for various areas, as well as people who are ready and willing to assist practitioners who are new to a field of law.

  • http://wanderingbell.blogspot.com Bill

    Beyond what Mr. Swanner mentioned, I keep it fresh with pro bono work in areas that I don’t normally practice. In San Francisco, where I practice, the VLSP is good at providing the basics for various areas, as well as people who are ready and willing to assist practitioners who are new to a field of law.

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