How Can An Incubator That Can’t Support Itself Teach New Solo Lawyers To Do So?
Seven participants in Florida International University (FIU)’s LawBridge program which provides incubator space to lawyers willing to do low bono work recently got a rude dose of reality when FIU was bumped from its donated space by a large law firm that presumably could pay rent. Without free space, the FIU program leaders can’t figure out what to do – they’re considering retooling the program to no longer offer office space, but instead, just advice through weekly CLEs (as if there wasn’t already anything like that online already).
Meanwhile, the lawyers installed in the space, many subsisting on a heavy diet of low bono work are scrambling in search of new digs.
Don’t get me wrong – I feel badly for the lawyers who now unexpectedly need to budget for what was previously a low cost budget space. But as I’ve always worried that the low-bono-for-free-space incubator model wouldn’t lead to sustainable practices, and indeed that may be the case. For example, consider a quote from this disappointed participant:
“It’s wonderful to get free Class A real estate in downtown Miami, but the Miami real estate market is heating up and it’s hard to find free real estate,” he said. “I don’t want to pay for the space and neither do the participants.”
Still, what’s even more embarrassing is that the FIU incubator program seems like the blind leading the blind. The law school can’t figure out how to fund space unless its donated so it throws up its hands. How’s that for persistence or resilience? What are the options? FIU could try crowd funding the space through a Kickstarter type program? Maybe it could set up shop in one of these Miami-based cowering spaces which would offer cheap rent and business opportunities with other entrepreneurs. How about developing a legal subscription service for other students or as a value-add benefit – and use the incubator as a self-supporting clinic. Create a non-profit and apply for grants. But don’t throw in the towel because the going gets tough. Not a great example for starting solos.
My suggestion would be to partner with the business school to find a sustainable model for fostering entrepreneurship. Running a coworking space that caters to new solos as well as non-law startups and other independent professionals (real estate agents, copywriters, etc.) might be a way to get started. The other aspect is to avoid expensive real estate in high-cost areas, which is a lesson new solos need to learn just as much as how to draft a contract or motion. Don’t go into the heart of the downtown business community where rents are top dollar, if there is an up-and-coming area that is cheaper. More to the point, stop thinking like BigLaw and start thinking scrappy.
I agree FIU should have been more persistent and creative in finding the solution to the problem. They could have tried to get in touch with alumni, who would have been too happy to help buy a new incubator space. We at kellerautoaccidentattorney.com have always helped our alma-mater. Recently we opened our purse strings generously to help them in modernization of library and setting up a modern convention center.
How about the market doesn’t need the attorney’s or they could pay for their own space. Low-bono means “no economic value”.