Career Success Resources: Small Firms and Solos

Are you cut out for solo practice? / Small-firm law offices : keys to success / Practice management and personal advisors / Coaching 101 for lawyers / What to consider when leaving a law firm / Why (not) specialize? / A solo can represent big business / Profitability potential for the small firm / Strategic planning for solo and small firms / The value of timekeeping : time is money / Alternative billing for the "Main Street lawyer" / Financial management technology / The solo's guide to collecting fees / Creating a business plan / The essentials of office sharing and executive suites / Leasing office space / Financing your practice : working with lenders / Virtual law practice / Staff : selection, management, motivation, and delegation / Increase profits by decreasing costs / Successfully managing the risks of solo practice / Creating practice management systems and procedures / Cloud computing for lawyers / Free and low-cost legal internet research / Collaboration tools and technologies for solo lawyers / Knowledge tools / Social media / Adobe Acrobat for e-filing and more / Successful marketing for the sole practitioner / Marketing the solo/small firm practice / When I die, Part II /

Small firms are a big employer -- Where the jobs are -- Nine reasons to start at a small firm -- How small firms and big law differ -- The recruiting & hiring cycle -- Job search strategies -- How to reach out to small firms -- Networking : planned events & chance encounters -- Resumes & cover letters for the small firm -- The small firm interview -- The waiting game -- A day in the life -- Meet an associate -- Meet the partners -- There's a first time for everything -- The core competency model -- Competency in business -- Competency in associate skills -- Competency in lawyering skills -- Competency in personal & professional development.

arketing activities -- Reach new clients through participation in barter groups -- More marketing tips and ways to improve your productivity -- Conclusion -- Exhibits.
Contents of CD-ROM: Complete book exhibits -- Non-legal sites to list seminars and events -- Free legal sites to create a bio and list an event -- Free non-legal sites to create a bio and list events -- Sites located on Yext -- Other miscellaneous sites to create a free bio.

Is there a solo type? -- Why did you decide to solo? -- What did you know about solo practice before you began? -- How did you explain your decision to colleagues? -- Who was the most supportive of your decision? -- What are your sharpest memories of starting out? -- What sacrifices did you make to solo? -- How did you create a revenue stream in the beginning? -- What role does a spouse/partner play in a solo's success? -- How do you balance parenting with a solo practice? -- What practice skills were you least prepared for? -- Describe your most difficult client experience, and what you learned? -- Should new lawyers open a solo practice? -- What was your biggest goof, and what did it teach you? -- What important issues do new solos face? -- What role does risk play in a solo practice? -- What are the biggest challenges when you're the boss? -- What do you like/dislike about the autonomy of solo practice? -- What frustrations are solos likely to experience? -- What role do mentors play in your practice? -- What role do people skills play in a solo's success? -- What business skills are essential for a solo? -- How do you market your practice? -- What marketing advice do you have for new solos? -- What financial issues loom in the first year? -- Can you solo on a shoestring budget? -- What about job security? -- How important is a business plan? -- What would you tell new solos about malpractice insurance? -- What role does social media play in marketing your practice and building relationships? -- What are you doing to stay profitable? -- What is your plan b if things don't work out? -- Would you still solo given what you've learned? -- Where do you see the practice of law, and solo'ing headed?.