Launching Our Law Firms


Follow the adventures of two recent law school graduates as we launch two solo practices. We're Rita J. and Sarah Demers, and, although we have the generous support of family, friends, and colleagues, ultimately we are each flying solo.

This is an interactive ride! Email us with any questions you're dying to ask at solospectacular@gmail.com.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

My First Motion!

Sarah's Post
Last week I filed my very first motion with my name on it! It was very satisfying to sign my name, and have my law firm information on a motion.
                Then I walked out of the court house…and the worrying began. What if they rejected it? What if I didn’t serve the parties correctly? What if the judge hates everything I said, and passes it around to every clerk, judge, lawyer, and janitor in the building as an example of what not to do? I can take being denied on the merits of my claim, but the idea of ridicule was not something I had really thought hard about before and now I’m very nervous.
One of my mentors who started a solo practice right out of law school said she lived in absolute terror the first two years that she had screwed something up. Then, as everything worked out and she got more comfortable with the procedures, she calmed down. I am definitely in the stage of panic and terror:  no one is looking over my shoulder, no one is correcting my work. It’s just me. But it sure is fun advising my own clients. Even if it takes me longer than other lawyers to produce a result, it is a result that in the end I’m proud of.
I have worked on a handful of cases now, and I also find it frustrating to have no idea what to do procedurally with a good case. I can recognize right away that there is something I must be able to do for the client; I just don’t know what that action is yet. I look forward to the day when I can say “Not only do I know that you have a good claim, but I know exactly what to do to help you!” Until then, I am relegated to spending vast amounts of time researching statutes, rules, and procedures, and then asking other attorneys what actions to take. Although I was aware starting my own firm out of law school would involve asking a lot of questions, it’s still frustrating to know the law but not the procedure.
Happy New Year to everyone! I’m ready to rock 2012 – bring it on!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

We're in business!

Sarah's Post

This has been an exciting week! I have at least one client for sure, two that are almost for sure, and one I’m still waiting to hear back from. I’m definitely feeling like a real lawyer, giving legal advice and the whole 9 yards!
For anyone who is really thinking about opening a solo practice, the way I’ve gotten almost all my first clients is referrals from lawyers who know me and really want to see me succeed. So having existing relationships with people who have some business to refer to you is absolutely essential. These types of referrals are not enough to sustain a business on, however, and there are other things I’m doing to try and grow my client base. But getting people to know, like, and trust you – and remember your name and what you do when they need legal help – takes time and patience. So while I’m waiting for my efforts to get my name out to the masses to bear fruit, it is essential to have established connections to lawyers willing to give me contract work and referrals.
 I’m also doing low flat fees for people who otherwise would not be able to pursue their claim, or would have represented themselves and would really prefer not to. This is great because they can pay much less than they would for most other lawyers, a more experienced lawyer would be hard pressed to take their case since it would not be economically advantageous for them, and I get the legal experience I need as well as some incoming cash to sustain the business. It’s all around a winning situation.
So hopefully things keep building up. At this point I’m hopeful, and less nervous than I was about succeeding. I think it will take more time than I originally anticipated to have the income I want, although if I keep going at my current pace of bringing in 2-3 clients a month (and get some clients that are paying a full rate) I should be right at my income goal. So here’s hoping this keeps up!