Comments on: Solo Practice May Be “S**tlaw.” But It Happens.

By: Guest1

Guest1 — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:37:00 +0000

I agree except for one point. You can make lots of money in solo and small firm practice. The richest lawyers are top contingency plaintiff’s lawyers who can make much more than biglaw partners. Other boutique small practices can also make a lot. It comes down to how good a businessperson and how good a lawyer you are.

By: Andy Arnold

Andy Arnold — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:49:14 +0000

I started out with a large labor firm and quickly grew tired of the bureaucratic systems of management and litigation. So, after two years, I went solo. And although I have had a couple of partners at various times, I have been mostly solo for the last 15 years. I make plenty of money, have lots of freedom, am completely independent and enjoy the practice of law most of the time. Honestly, I would not get into a pissing contest with a malcontent, who is obviously has failed at law and life. Love the blog, profanity and all. Keep up the good work.

By: Andy Arnold

Andy Arnold — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:49:00 +0000

By: Kelly Phillips Erb

Kelly Phillips Erb — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:53:08 +0000

Carolyn,
Great response to the initial piece. And as the sister of two Navy boys, your swearing doesn’t bother me in the least.
I’ve been solo/small firm for 10 years now. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
As for all of those folks who like to disparage the notion of small firms as leading to nothing, I suspect Misters Akin, Dechert, Skadden, etc. all started somewhere.

By: Kelly Phillips Erb

Kelly Phillips Erb — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:53:00 +0000

By: Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:12:26 +0000

For the record, I do post occasionally on the down sides of solo practice or solos who have failed, most recently here: http://www.myshingle.com/2009/08/articles/biglaw-practice-and-issues/why-does-the-trade-press-focus-on-biglaw-attorneys-turned-solo-who-dont-succeed/ And if you check myarchives, you'll see all kinds of stories of solos gone bad in the ethics section. But honestly, I think that most solos hear the negatives from other lawyers already. I consider my blog an antidote to all of the naysayers.

By: Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:12:00 +0000

By: Anonymous Frustrated Lawyer

Anonymous Frustrated Lawyer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:59:13 +0000

“I don’t post much about the pitfalls of solo practice”
This takes away from your credibility.

By: Anonymous Frustrated Lawyer

Anonymous Frustrated Lawyer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:59:00 +0000

“I don’t post much about the pitfalls of solo practice”
This takes away from your credibility.

By: Bruce Godfrey

Bruce Godfrey — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:10 +0000

Well the folks over at Tom the Temp and his pals haven’t changed since I was doing DC German document review a while ago….
I suspect that the problems that the severest cynics describe may be specific to New York City. The market for solos in Maryland is, I suspect, a lot more forgiving. Then again, Maryland’s legal culture generally is a lot less “big-law”-ish. In Baltimore, a firm with 30 lawyers is large, etc.
I feel fortunate that in the 20 years since I started investigating law school, the desire to be a big-firm lawyer never possessed me, not once. Even when I was doing it, I never “went native” in terms of what I wanted to do.