Solo Practice University® » Kelli Proia

Sales: Maybe They Did Teach Us that in #LawSchool?

Kelli Proia — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 12:30:52 +0000

Marketing and selling. Two words that strike fear into the hearts of lawyers everywhere. To us, selling is a necessary evil if we want to attract clients, but we don’t like it. In fact, we fear it. Did you know the #1 fear lawyers have is that they will come across like a cheap, used […]

Written by Kelli Proia

Are You Having Fun?

Kelli Proia — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:57:18 +0000

This week Little Miss started summer camp. I have never seen her happier or dirtier. Yesterday she looked like she was going out to play left tackle for the New England Patriots with mud covering each cheek. (Honestly, I can’t imagine how dirty she would be if she didn’t swim twice a day.) She jumps […]

Written by Kelli Proia

Are You Trying to Practice In Too Many Areas of Law?

Kelli Proia — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Imagine you are at a dinner party. The hostess introduces you to Dr. Jones, an up-and-coming medical doctor in your community. You just moved into the neighborhood and need a new doctor. So you ask her, “What’s your specialty?” With a big smile, the doctor answers, “Oh, I’m a heart surgeon, I deliver babies, and […]

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Guess What? You May Not Even Realize You Need a Business Coach.

Kelli Proia — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:58:41 +0000

I just finished a big task. It took a lot of energy and mental toughness to complete. In order to participate in a small group Coaching Day that will be spent “brainstorming the next evolution” of my business, I had to fill out a questionnaire. 18 questions aimed at the heart of my business. On […]

Written by Kelli Proia

On Solo Practice, Rankings, and “Real” Lawyers

Kelli Proia — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:15 +0000

When I read Professor Muller’s blog post that Susan referred to in Why Law School Professor’s Rankings Are Worse Than USNWR, from April 16, 2013, I decided to add my two-cents worth to the conversation. In 2003, I was working as in-house IP counsel for a large multinational manufacturing company. We were selling some companies, […]

Written by Kelli Proia

Are Lawyers’ Blogs for Lawyers or Clients?

Kelli Proia — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:00:02 +0000

“That was great. I didn’t know all that was happening.” Said the coordinator of a recent panel discussion I participated in. “Really?” I thought to myself. “How could you not have known US patent law is changing?” So I asked, “Isn’t that why you wanted me to speak to your organization today?” Well, it turns […]

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Are You A Bad Networker?

Kelli Proia — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:52:50 +0000

I have a confession to make. Up until last year, I was a bad networker. When I started my solo practice, I didn’t have a network. Two years out of the work force, many of my relationships were stale. It was also pretty apparent that most of those connections were geared to an in-house practice […]

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The Power of ‘Really’ Showing Up

Kelli Proia — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:00:12 +0000

Amazing things happen when you show up in your life and work. And I mean SHOW UP. Not simply exist, but make your presence known and participate in the conversation. The best example I can give is from a recent experience that I had. Last month, I attended the Massachusetts Conference for Women. 8,000+ women […]

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Why I Do What I Do

Kelli Proia — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:07:40 +0000

I had a long to do list. I had work to finish up before the end of the year. I had shopping, wrapping, cooking, and cleaning to do before Christmas Eve. I wanted to plan and strategize for next year. Last Friday morning, I had let my to-do list get the best of me, and I […]

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“By Failing To Prepare You Are Preparing to Fail”

Kelli Proia — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:29 +0000

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin Be Prepared. Lately, I feel like I am a living embodiment of the Boy Scout motto. This mantra crept into my life in the middle of September and I have been in a perpetual state of preparing (and executing) ever since. It’s not […]

Written by Kelli Proia