Re: Going solo- Immigration or Bankruptcy?

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Also, the Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Handbook by Williamson is
really good. You can get it on the Argyle Publishing website. There
are also some good blogs out there. I would also check out the
Bankruptcy Forum website (www.bkforum.com?) to get a good idea of what
your clients will be asking. The Moran Law Firm in CA also has an
informative site. You can learn a great deal within a few months. I
would also go down to Court and watch the 341 Hearings, confirmation
hearings, motions, etc. The information in the books is good, but you
really need to watch some hearings to see what the trustee objects to
and what the judge allows. It's not all black and white. There are a
lot of judgment calls, and not all trustees and judges are the same.
With bankruptcy, you can definitely do it right away, and with
experience, you'll get better at some of the bankruptcy planning
issues.

I'm not sure about Immigration Law. Why not do both?

On 3/17/08, jlaw360 wrote:
> Good to know. I really appreciate the responses. Thank you.
>
> On 3/17/08, solo attorney wrote:
>> I disagree with Rob about bankruptcy law. The traps that he
>> mentions are all things that can easily be learned by reading
>> articles online, reading books, attending seminars....
>>
>> The 910 day rule is probably in every book. I would buy the
>> Nutshell series by Epstein.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 3/15/08, Rob wrote:
>>> I was not trying to be a smartass. There are just too many
>>> traps for the unwary under the new Bankruptcy laws (i.e.
>> automatic
>>> termination of the automatic stay in some cases, issues dealing
>>> with 910 vehicles, etc.). You can probably learn on the job,
>>> just be sure you watch for the traps.
>>>
>>> Having just started out, you may want to consider your public
>>> defender's office. Criminal defense work brings a great deal
>> of
>>> immediate and good experience for the solo.
>>>
>>> Sorry if I came off as a smartass.
>>>
>>> On 3/15/08, thanks wrote:
>>>> lol . . . yeah - last I heard having "lab rats" is something
>>> inevitable when starting
>>>> off. I do, of course, have and plan to take courses offered by
>>> ALI-ABA and AILA
>>>> along with purchasing treatises and form books. I also plan to
>>> charge less in the
>>>> beginning and more as I gain more experience.
>>>>
>>>> Anyway, I'm just looking for helpful input - thank you!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 3/15/08, Rob wrote:
>>>>> Bankruptcy law has become increasingly difficult to practice,
>>>>> but it can be learned. Just not sure too many clients would
>>>>> want to be your lab rats.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/15/08, jlaw360 wrote:
>>>>>> I will be moving to the Central Valley (in CA) this July
>>>>>> and will opening up my own firm. I already have the funding
>>>>>> for my start-up costs (including the advertising). Although
>>>>>> I have no prior experience in bankruptcy or immigration
>>>>>> law, I plan on opening up my shingle in one or both of
>>>>>> these areas. With the market, the way it is, it seems like
>>>>>> it would be a good idea to do bankruptcy law, but I'm just
>>>>>> not sure whether or not I'll make any money if I do
>>>>>> practice bankruptcy. I'm also considering immigration law
>>>>>> (I am fluent in Spanish). So here are the questions . . .
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Which practice do you think will pay off better? Any idea
>>>>>> what the average salary for a solo practitioner in these
>>>>>> areas is? Keeping in mind that I have no experience in
>>>>>> either area, which area is easier to learn?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any input will be helpful. Thanks!
>>>>