My Shingle

Solo Practice Trends

Free is the Giant Killer

December 7, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

When I’m asked how solo and small firm lawyers can compete with Legal Zoom, my view is that free is the best revenge. Now that legal forms are digitized, it’s only a matter of time before they’re available free everywhere.  If forms are free, companies like Legal Zoom have nothing left to sell — whereas [...]

Read more Solo Practice Trends 1 comment

Judge Easterbrook Slights Solos – But Solos Also Spite Themselves

May 18, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Just like comedian Rodney Dangerfield, seems that solo and small lawyers just can’t get no respect from the federal courts. Only the slight to solos by federal judges is no laughing matter not just for us solo and small firm appellate lawyers but more importantly, for our clients. The latest round of elitism and reduced [...]

Read more Courts & Practice 6 comments

A Solo-bomination of An Attorneys Fees Decision

January 9, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Would you sacrifice six weeks of revenue for six years and instead, spend those six weeks toiling pro bono for a snowball’s chance in hell of victory before the United States Supreme Court? Small firm lawyer Alan Gura did. A partner in the two-lawyer firm of Gura and Possessky, Gura was just 32 and eight [...]

Read more Courts & Practice 12 comments

Solos, Are You Afraid of Big, Bad Axiom Legal?

October 20, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Like most solos who compete with big firms, my sweet spot is my ability to offer potential clients exceptional value — high quality work, longstanding experience and industry contacts, a seamless experience through use of technology and an assurance that clients will always deal directly with me and not a low level flunky. Of course, [...]

Read more Solo Practice Trends 11 comments

Hey, Legal Malpractice Insurers – How ‘Bout a Little Help to Us Solos?

October 4, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Currently, there’s a cross-blog debate raging over the sustainability of the virtual law practice, with Jay Fleishman, Susan Cartier Liebel, Richard Granat of Direct Law (a MyShingle sponsor) and David Bilinsky all weighing in. Take a look at all of the posts to see the wide array of opinions on virtual legal services. As for [...]

Read more Solo Practice Trends 4 comments

An Attorney Listing Site to Avoid If You Want To Avoid Ethics Problems

September 22, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Sometimes, a new concept emerges that’s never been done before because no one ever thought of it. That’s called innovation. But other times, there’s reason that the new concept hasn’t been done before: because it’s a downright stupid idea. Unfortunately, many lawyers can’t tell the difference between innovation and idiocy, which is the only explanation [...]

Read more Mistakes/What NOT To Do 14 comments

21st Century Solo, A Chain-Blog Post, Part II

March 11, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Jordan Furlong has posted a critical read for solos as well as those contemplating this adventure. Jordan’s post, which grew out of his recent guest lecture at Solo Practice University, focuses on what it takes to succeed as a solo in the 21st century. Since I’ve also spoken on this same topic (see 2:33-5:01 for [...]

Read more MyShingle Solo 7 comments

Where the Money Is In Law

January 21, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Even though biglaw is on the decline, there’s still big money to be made in the law. Only not necessarily by lawyers. Last month, news of the Reuters/Westlaw acquisition of Pangea dominated the headlines, with bloggers like Jordan Furlong imagining the possibilities that this new behemoth could bring to the table. And today, two other [...]

Read more Client Relations 4 comments

Ten Solo and Small Law Firm Trends 2011

January 6, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Ten Solo and Small Firm Trends 2011 [Editor's Note This is a long, long post - so you can read it here as a post in its entirety, or download it as a PDF (above)] Once again, it’s that season when, a blogger’s fancy turns to top trends (H/T Alfred Tennyson). Jack Newton of Clio has already [...]

Read more Law Practice Management 11 comments

More On Technology Taking Us Back to the Future

November 22, 2010 by Carolyn Elefant

Dr. Brest Rosenblum runs a solo family practice in  Aspinwall, Pennsylvania, that hearkens back to the days before healthcare, like law, became a business.   When Dr. Rosenblum’s patients arrive at the office, he greets them in the waiting room and takes down their intake information himself. After hours, when Dr. Rosenblum isn’t available, his patients [...]

Read more Client Service 2 comments

← Previous Entries