My Shingle

May 2011

Avoiding S**tlaw Jobs

May 31, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

In Part I of this post, I highlighted the kind of unsavory freelance assignment that even struggling solo and small firm lawyers should pass right by. In this second part, I’ll describe some of the red flags that should tip you off to a scam-job. Is the assignment posted on Craigslist or an online freelance [...]

Read more Mistakes/What NOT To Do 6 comments

FREE 6 Hour Tutorial on Starting A Law Firm…and Much More!

May 31, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Today is my birthday and as a present to myself, I’ve finally relaunched and supplemented the free materials originally posted on drop.io before it abruptly shut down in December (one of the drawbacks of a free service). These materials represent the first phase of a broader suite of offerings (also free) that I’ll roll out [...]

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How Do You Know When It’s Time to Go

May 31, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

According to this recent New York Times article on easing out the older generation of lawyers, the shelf life of a solo practitioner is 70 or 80 years old compared to 60 or 65 at big law. Even so, who wants to linger on past their prime like the party guest who wouldn’t leave?  I [...]

Read more MyShingle Solo 0 comments

An Issue-Spotting Exercise in Revenue Stream Opportunities That Solos Should Avoid

May 27, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

In these uncertain economic times, many solo and small firm lawyers must struggle to make ends meet. Thus, they’re always on the look-out for side jobs to supplement their income. And while waiting tables or working as a barista in a coffee house are options, most new solos would prefer law-related freelance or per diem [...]

Read more Ethics & Malpractice Issues 2 comments

Review of Bryan A. Garner’s LawProse Seminars – by Roger Traversa

May 24, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Editor’s Note: For legal and appellate writers, Bryan Garner’s seminars are renowned. Not only is Garner respected by, and popular with lawyers, but he apparently commands enough respect by the Supreme Court Justices that they willingly shared with Garner their writing secrets. But how do Garner’s writing seminars stack up? I’ve seen them advertised before [...]

Read more Books 4 comments

An Open Letter to “Content” Writers: Pay Me $1500 And I’ll Publish You

May 24, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Recently, I’ve been receiving daily emails like this one: Hi Carolyn, My name is Mary and I’m a writer for (http:[omitted]. I’ve been following your blog lately, and because we write on similar topics, I thought you’d be interested in a recent article we published, “20 Alternative Jobs For Law School Grads”. If you think [...]

Read more Marketing & Making Money 0 comments

Accidental Entrepreneurs

May 17, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Can you start your own firm if you’re not entrepreneurially inclined? A few months back, I said yes. And now, as added confirmation, here’s an article from CNN about accidental entrepreneurs – folks who never intended to start their own businesses but wound up succeeding beyond their wildest dreams. Take the story of Terri Urbash, [...]

Read more Should I Solo? 1 comment

Fashion Help For Solo Lawyers – And Seeking Help for Lifestyle Columns

May 17, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Not sure about what to wear to a CLE or your summer internship or to argue a motion in court? As you know, our intrepid law student columnist (now-buried-in-finals) Huma Rashid has been covering the fashion beat for MyShingle for almost a year. But if you need more personalized advice about specific outfits, now you [...]

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The Economic Benefits of A Virtual Assistant

May 16, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

This recent post from the Harvard Business Review bemoans the loss of the executive assistant in the lower ranks at most companies, a phenomenon resulting from technologic advancements like voicemail and email and pressure to cut costs. However, as the article points out: At very senior levels, the return on investment from a skilled assistant [...]

Read more Law Practice Management 2 comments

How to Get a Piece of Ken Adams, Without Paying An Arm or a Leg

May 16, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

As a solo, I can’t afford Ken Adams, ABA Legal Rebel and contract drafter extraordinaire.  I know this because Ken himself has told me so when I’ve inquired about his services.  Not arrogantly or bluntly, but matter-of-factly.  After all, when you’ve written the definitive guide on contract drafting, you can pretty much command any price [...]

Read more Legal Profession Trends 0 comments

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