Why I Am A Solo - I Don't Have To Leave The Law Behind

Why We are Still Unhappy. While the author of this article postulates that unhappy lawyers should consider alternative careers, I think he misses an option when he suggests leaving it behind. The problems he cites: working for partners who work for clients and not liking the inability to choose; working for clients the lawyer doesn't like; not making enough money; wanting to choose the clients we work for; most of them are solved by a solo practice. And, the one that isn't, making more money, becomes insignificant when you are happy doing what you do. So, grinding, unhappy lawyers working for big law; consider solo practice as an option. You won't get rich; but, you will get to apply your skills to clients you like and appreciate. When they don't, you get to fire them. And, if you want to go home at 2 in the afternoon, there will be no one to stop you. Happiness is an acquired skill. It involves making peace with what you have, and with whom you share life, and knowing that we are all one illness or heart attack away from the end. So, don't spend one more day in a job you hate just for money. Get out there and have fun.

 

Comments

[John]

I graduated from law school in 1977 with the idea of working as a solo practitioner. "Perry Mason" was my model. Unlike Futurelawyer, I was never able to achieve my goal because I did not have the courage to give up the security of the weekly paycheck.

I am writing this comment for younger lawyers. Don't let this happen to you. It is much easier to go solo now than it was in 1977. With technology and the internet, you can keep your overhead extremely low and, therefore, make a living with fewer clients. You will be "old" before you know it and you will regret not taking the road less traveled.