Did we convince you to hang out a shingle? Before you design your letterhead, consider the flip side: 10 reasons not to start your own firm.
8. Experience? What’s that?
“Oh crap, what do I do?” This will be your mantra for a while - especially if you go solo straight out of school. In a firm, you have experienced attorneys to bounce ideas off of. When you’re solo - you’re solo. Find a mentor, quick.
“All you need is a laptop and a printer.” That’s partially true. What about malpractice insurance? Phone bill? Legal research? Accounting software?
2. Difficult clients
“My cousin is a lawyer, and he said …” Whether the client fights the bills, micro-manages, or emails you 37 times per day, some clients are simply a pain. If you’re on the eve of trial, you may just have to deal with them.
1. Malpractice lawsuits
“It happens to the best of us.” The best and the worst, in fact. In the same vein of difficult clients are the litigious clients. Sure, you didn’t actually commit malpractice, but the client is going to think that when his case flops. That angry client might sue, complain to the bar, or make your life a living hell. You get the billables and the blame.
Related Resources:
- Trickier Tax Deductions that Your Firm May be Missing (FindLaw’s Strategist Blog)
- 4 Tips for Becoming a Local Legal Expert (FindLaw’s Strategist Blog)
- DePuy Hip Replacements: Big Verdict Means Hot Practice Area? (FindLaw’s Strategist Blog)
You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help
Civil Rights
Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
Criminal
Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records
Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules
