by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Enrico Schaefer - April 26, 2005 - 'The Greatest' Philosophy, Alternative Billing, The Billable Hour
Carolyn Elefant offers a preview at the chapter she’s contributing to an upcoming edition of the ABA’s book, "Flying Solo." In "How Not to Be Lonely," Elefant writes,
Ironically, one of the greatest benefits of starting a law firm – being able to work alone – may actually be one of the greatest hazards of solo practices, as this Q&A from the Massachusetts Bar Association website points out (thanks to my fellow blogger David Giacalone for sending this article my way).
I appreciate Carolyn’s point. There is a sense of isolation away from the superficial hustle and bustle of a large law firm. I don’t know why I should feel any less involved now as an independent as I did before, but in honesty I do feel less ‘in the loop.’ It doesn’t really make sense. I have no problem being alone. I can be social, and have all the right skills. But I don’t need other people around.
I was so busy billing hours at my old 10 lawyer 40 person law firm, I rarely socialized during business hours or thereafter. I felt a subtle guilt in talking to friends and family on the phone while at work [when I could be billing clients], and neither visited me except in rare circumstances. Yet, there was more of a sense of ‘invovlement.’
Today, I sit in MY office doing things MY way under MY rules [or lack thereof]. Friends and family stop by regularly. Clients visit more often. I love this lifestyle as well as my practice. But if I don’t make it a point to schedule lunch dates and activities with other lawyers, I start to get a little unsettled and disconnected.
A small firm or non-solo independent practitioner needs certain qualities to succeed:
As a founding partner of Traverse Legal, PLC, he has more than thirty years of experience as an attorney for both established companies and emerging start-ups. His extensive experience includes navigating technology law matters and complex litigation throughout the United States.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.
