Run Solo Run: Does Running for Office Jumpstart or Stop A Legal Career?

With Election Day less than a month away and the public tiring of hearing about Obama or Romney, the media has turned its attention to local and lesser known candidates.  Moreover, many of those capturing the spotlight are either solos or younger lawyers just starting their careers.

For example, up in Maine shingler Cynthia Dill, who took on big law in her civil rights and employment practice is running for a U.S. Senate Seat vacated by Republican Olympia Snowe.  Granted, Dill (now in the state Senate) lacks the support of the national Democratic party – but that hasn’t kept her from nabbing media attention. [Update – ultimately, Dill came in third in the Senate general election)

Meanwhile, over in New York, Mindy Meyer, who’s still in law school, is running as the Republican and Conservative candidate for the state senate.  Although Meyer’s been mocked for her Elle Woods style campaign and lack of command of the issues, I thought that for a 22 year old, she’s reasonably poised. (Update – Meyer garnered less than three percent of the vote in the general election and at least for some time, co-owned a law firm focused on criminal defense).

So these articles got me thinking: can running for public office enhance a solo lawyer’s career? For starters, you can’t buy the kind of publicity that these candidates have generated at no cost through press coverage.  Moreover, the types of coverage that lawyer-candidates receive – not just in print media but presumably in televised interviews and debates – shows off skills important to lawyering, most notably, issues analysis, persuasion and brevity.  Whether you think Mindy Meyer’s campaign is over the top silly or not, in my book, it beats  these kinds of lawyer ads.

Solo lawyers are also familiar with a broad range of issues.  As lawyers, they can speak  intelligently to the workings of the judicial system, and as business owners, they have hands on experience with issues like tax policy, employment law, immigration, health care and others that impact small business.

Logistically, running for office isn’t all that difficult for solos either.  In small communities, many solo lawyers are well known because of participation in networking functions and community activities.  And solo lawyers have the infrastructure in place — website know-how, newsletter templates and social media communities – to run a solid campaign inexpensively.

On the other hand, solos shouldn’t just run for office if they don’t expect to be able to handle the job.  For example, a solo running for a law-related position like district attorney or judge should have the substantive knowledge and skill to be able to handle the position Similarly, many elected positions are part-time and pay poorly, which can make it difficult for solos to balance their obligations to their clients while carrying out the responsibilities of public office.

It’s probably too late to declare for this years race, but what say you fellow solos?  Will you elect to run for office next time around?  And if you’ve run for office or currently hold a position, please share your experience below.