Re: solo advice (was Re: A suggestion the intent of this board

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On 4/04/06, The Zephyr wrote:
> I can appreciate the discourse on the pros and cons of
> running a solo practice. I can even see how global
> events/conditions can influence one’s decision to open such
> a practice. However, it seems the conversations on this
> board need to pull back to what I imagine is the underlying
> intent of such a forum – that is, relating to the operation
> of a solo practice.
>
> How about some discussion on the following types of topics:
> The benefits of buying/leasing an auto and the resulting
> tax implications; the best way to market on a shoestring
> that will achieve the most impact; the pros and cons of
> long-term disability policies; the choice of what types of
> office equipment (PDA’s, computers and their related
> software, faxes, etc.) work best and why; whether taking
> the 45 cents/mile cost for autos is more beneficial than
> writing off actual accrued expenses; etc.
>
> When I visit this board I need optimistic and practical
> advice and opinions. If I want to hear the horror stories
> and risks of running my own business I can always go listen
> to my family (LOL), they are convinced I should get a “real
> job” with security. True, running one’s own business if
> full of risk, trial, and tribulation. But, it also has the
> potential for great freedom and rewards.
>
> As far as I’m concerned, I’ve made the decision to practice
> law as a solo, enough said, done deal! People here should
> contribute in a way to support the intent of this board,
> not just bash solo practice and argue whether one can
> succeed. To be an effective and successful solo, one needs
> to possess the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that will
> make you a success regardless if you practice law, swing a
> hammer, solder pipes, or wire houses. This forum is for go-
> getters and doers, not naysayers and doom-gloomers.
>
> Let’s figure out the best way to run a successful solo
> practice and support each other’s efforts and dreams. It’s
> Spring; time for a rebirth of enthusiasm and productivity.
>
> ~Zephyr

Well, I like to talk about other things myself, but I read
this board for the things you mention above.

BTW, I am a 48 year old IL who has been reading this board for
4 years or so. In that time I have saved many files of the
advice you ask for.

Here is some of it:

Re: Quiting the Law, How to Transition Out
Posted by Hardy Parkerson, Atty. on 3/11/03

Dear Solo,
I probably am not the best person to answer your inquiry
about alternative careers; but I noticed that no one else
has
answered you, so I thought I'd take a stab at it. Over
the
years I have sometimes wished I had been a football
coach or
a school teacher rather than a lawyer. I have had my ups
and
downs as a lawyer, but it has been a rewarding career. I
have
been able to do a lot of good for a lot of people, and
that
means something. I think sometimes that we lawyers place
too
much emphasis on money. We constantly compare ourselves
with
other lawyers, and if we are not making the money they
are
making, we somehow feel that there is something wrong
with
us. Once when I was a young lawyer I was not making much
money. A wise old man came by and asked me how I was
doing
as a lawyer, and I leveled with him. He said "Your time
is
coming, young man; the time will come when you can't
take the
money to the bank fast enough." At the time I wished.
Well,
the day came when I literally could not take the money
to the
bank fast enough. You should consider sticking with the
law.
Of course, it obvious that you are not happy. So quit
doing
what you are doing. Take on some criminal cases. As a
matter of fact, take on many. It is just a matter of
jockying files. Don't plead anybody guilty to anything.
Make
the D.A. try everything against you. It's fun to try a
criminal case. The burden of proof is on the state, and
all
the defendant lawyer has to do is take a ride and wait
for
the state to make a mistake; argue reasonable doubt in
the
end. If the defendant gets convicted, so what! The
lawyer
does not have to serve the time. But when you win, it's
great! You've saved someone from being sent to prison,
having his life and liberty taken away from him. The more
cases you try, the better you get at it. If the DA
threatens
you with what he is going to do to you client, just say
"I
don't care if you give him the electric chair! If you
can
live with it, I can." Of course, you do all you can to
frustrate the DA and to help your client, but you don't
let
him threaten you. The more criminal cases you try, the
better you get in the courtroom; and you can use this
courtroom experience to help you with civil jury trials,
where the real money is. You've been in the courtroom;
courtrooms don' scare you. Only problem, and you have to
look out for it; and it is that in civil jury cases the
burden of proof is on the plaiantiff, just like it is
ont he
state in a criminal case. In civil jury cases, the
defense
lawyers (insurance bar) get to take a ride and sit there
and
wait for you to make a mistake and then capitalize on
it.
I suppose if I were to get out of the law, I would
become
a stock broker, or at least spend my time dealing in
stocks.
Once I was spending much time waiting in the halls of
the
courthouse for my cases to come up for hearing. That was
back
in the days when lawyers tried every issue in domestic
relations cases, before all of this silly Hearing
Officer
stuff, mediation and all that non-sense. Well, to help
me
pass the time and not just waste it waiting around for
my
case to come up, I learned to go to the telephone and
make a
trade. I either bought or sold a stock. That was back
when
the Dow Jones was 699. Everybody said "Don't buy oils."
Well, I had read a book about the "contrarian approach"
to
stock dealing, and I did just what all the "experts" said
not
to do; I bought oils. Well, oils took off, and I made
some
serious money, just hanging in the halls of the
courthouse
near the pay phone while waiting for my trials to come
up.
0e

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More | Report Post Dear Solo, I probably am not the best person to answer your inquiry about alternative careers; but I noticed that no one else has answered you, so I thought I'd take a stab at it. Over the years I have sometimes wished I had been a football coach or a school teacher rather than a lawyer. I have had my ups and downs as a lawyer, but it has been a rewarding career. I have been able to do a lot of good for a lot of people, and that means something. I think sometimes that we lawyers place too much emphasis on money. We constantly compare ourselves with other lawyers, and if we are not making the money they are making, we somehow feel that there is something wrong with us. Once when I was a young lawyer I was not making much money. A wise old man came by and asked me how I was doing as a lawyer, and I leveled with him. He said oxxoYour time is coming, young man; the time will come when you can't take the money to the bank fast enough.oxxo At the time I wished. Well, the day came when I literally could not take the money to the bank fast enough. You should consider sticking with the law. Of course, it obvious that you are not happy. So quit doing what you are doing. Take on some criminal cases. As a matter of fact, take on many. It is just a matter of jockying files. Don't plead anybody guilty to anything. Make the D.A. try everything against you. It's fun to try a criminal case. The burden of proof is on the state, and all the defendant lawyer has to do is take a ride and wait for the state to make a mistake; argue reasonable doubt in the end. If the defendant gets convicted, so what! The lawyer does not have to serve the time. But when you win, it's great! You've saved someone from being sent to prison, having his life and liberty taken away from him. The more cases you try, the better you get at it. If the DA threatens you with what he is going to do to you client, just say oxxoI don't care if you give him the electric chair! If you can live with it, I can.oxxo Of course, you do all you can to frustrate the DA and to help your client, but you don't let him threaten you. The more criminal cases you try, the better you get in the courtroom; and you can use this courtroom experience to help you with civil jury trials, where the real money is. You've been in the courtroom; courtrooms don' scare you. Only problem, and you have to look out for it; and it is that in civil jury cases the burden of proof is on the plaiantiff, just like it is ont he state in a criminal case. In civil jury cases, the defense lawyers (insurance bar) get to take a ride and sit there and wait for you to make a mistake and then capitalize on it. I suppose if I were to get out of the law, I would become a stock broker, or at least spend my time dealing in stocks. Once I was spending much time waiting in the halls of the courthouse for my cases to come up for hearing. That was back in the days when lawyers tried every issue in domestic relations cases, before all of this silly Hearing Officer stuff, mediation and all that non-sense. Well, to help me pass the time and not just waste it waiting around for my case to come up, I learned to go to the telephone and make a trade. I either bought or sold a stock. That was back when the Dow Jones was 699. Everybody said oxxoDon't buy oils.oxxo Well, I had read a book about the oxxocontrarian approachoxxo to stock dealing, and I did just what all the oxxoexpertsoxxo said not to do; I bought oils. Well, oils took off, and I made some serious money, just hanging in the halls of the courthouse near the pay phone while waiting for my trials to come up. 0e ">