Solo Life: Month One

It is inevitable that new solo practitioners must learn from trial and error. This is because you never truly know how something works (or fails to work) until you do it. And one process may work for one attorney but not for another, because one attorney has resources the other doesn't, for example.

At first, I had rigid policies that I am finding have to become flexible. When you are just starting out, you may accept clients because you have no clients. A similar matter you will not accept later on, now that you know what kind of work is involved. Another issue I am encountering is entering into retainer agreements too quickly. While I have the client in my office, I want them to retain me, elsewise they might change their mind after they leave. My retainer agreements include the scope of my representation. As a new practitioner, I often need time to think about the best strategy to meet my client's immigration needs, which means I need anywhere from several hours to several days before I can present the client with his or her legal options. By this time, of course, they are long out of my office. The solution? I charge a consultation fee and tell them that I need time to review their documents and figure out the best plan of action for them, also that I will call them within X time frame. Yes I still run the risk of losing that client, but I got paid for analyzing their file.

Practice management never ends. A good calendaring system is essential. Immigration law is a practice area that is heavily deadline-driven. I have several tickler systems in place, but a central practice management tool would be best. And if a client chooses not to retain me, I urge them to seek other legal counsel right away, or I offer them information about low-cost legal services, since missing a deadline in an immigration matter could seriously effect someone's life.

This leads me to my next point. You should be up and running from day one, meaning, you should have a good practice management software system in place as well as an accounting system. It is hard to retroactively import case files and client information into new software. You will have to allot time to sit and do this, and you might be surprised how quickly your practice gets off the ground. I now have several retained clients and am meeting with another client later today. I am sitting in my office on Saturday as I write this.

A final point about the structure of my days. I spend the majority of my time, by far, researching immigration law. I purchased on credit a number of practitioner resources (books), some extremely helpful. I also actively participate in several list serves where immigration practitioners bounce legal problems off one another. I deal with other practice management issues (paying bills, managing finances, marketing) here and there as well. I would say 75% of my time is taken up with legal research (both general and client specific) and 25% devoted to practice management. I have found that now that my practice is up and running (and is now one-month old!) I am much less interested in the aspects of my law practice that do not involve actual lawyering.

I want my practice to be client-centered. Clients want someone to listen to them. To that end, I structure my fees in such a way so as not to bother clients by nickel and diming them. They retain me for one flat rate that encompasses my representation (as outlined in the retainer agreement), photocopies, faxes, emails, phone calls and postage. I think that they prefer this. So in going solo, not only do I enjoy being my own boss, I enjoy getting to know my clients. And I need to get to know them to get a picture of their lives and present their story as their lawyer. So, I am enjoying solo life and learning how to manage a solo practice everyday. My first month ends with gratitude and joy. Perfect for the upcoming holidays......