Sololawyer

Ross Ipsa Loquitur Blog � My new Technolawyer column: SmallLaw

Link: Ross Ipsa Loquitur Blog � My new Technolawyer column: SmallLaw. Ross Kodner's new column, SmallLaw, is tailor made for the readers of this blog. I rail against Biglaw enough that is should be a no brainer that I would gravitate to a sage like Ross talking about solo and small firm practice. He brings a wealth of experience to the task, and I look forward to reading the columns. You should also.

Economy of Scale - Is Toilet Paper Cheaper in BigLaw?

Link: Legal Blog Watch. It is nice that BigLaw has, until the recession, been able to buy pricey toilet paper for biglaw bathrooms. I have long known the pain of paying my own bar dues, and travel to Bar events. If I went somewhere on firm business, the money came out of the senior partner's pocket, not some corporate account that seemed divorced from the reality of fee billing and collection. However, how will biglaw denizens react when the firm no longer pays for the nice things? Will they defect to solo practice? Inquiring minds want to know.

Do You Need A Posse, Pardner?

Posse? This post raises the question of whether every lawyer needs a group of friends and confidantes, to discuss the day to day questions and stresses of law practice. No man is an island; or so the author tells us. In fact, solo practice in an Internet age makes connection with a "posse" easier than ever. Solos use email, LinkedIn, blog posts,and other methods to stay connected. No man is an island, but you don't have to leave the island if you have Internet access.

Layoffs In Big Law - Down Economy Strikes

Big Law Layoffs When  the clients start having trouble, they stop hiring big law lawyers for deals that don't happen. When big law partners see reduced income, they seek to reduce expenses. The staff and attorneys who don't have power and equity get laid off. In a solo practice, you may not be getting the work you used to; but, with low overhead, you can survive. And, nobody is going to lay you off.

Lawyers Want More Time, Less Stress, Not More Money | ABA Journal - Law News Now

Link: Lawyers Want More Time, Less Stress, Not More Money | ABA Journal - Law News Now. Let's face it. Lawyering is stressful. If you don't have anxiety, stress, or some sleepless nights, you aren't a lawyer. We face deadline pressure every day, and have to deal with people at the worst times of their lives. Modern law practice is a jumble of regulation, deadlines, and complex issues. So, it is not surprising that this survey found that a majority of lawyers would rather have more life balance and less stress, and that money was only a concern with 2% of them. Solo practice will certainly result in less money. But, will it create less stress? Maybe, maybe not. However, you will certainly have more control over your life, and you can create a work-life balance that suits you.

Good News For Solos Congress Considers Bills to Simplify Home Office Tax Deduction

Link: Home Office Warrior � Bills to Simplify Home Office Tax Deduction. Thanks to Grant Griffiths for this heads up about bills traversing the legislative process to simplify the home office deduction. As solos who are tech savvy, we spend a lot of time working at home; most of us have an office or den or, as in my case, a converted garage, that serves as an office at home. Some of us actually practice law out of our home. In an Internet age, much client interaction is done over computers, and these bills will allow solos to deduct the proportionate expenses of the home office.