Should I partner with another attorney when starting my practice? This is a question often asked by young lawyers who want to go solo. However, few of the young lawyers seeking a response to this oft-asked question are really looking for a partner.

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Needless to say, life can get very messy when your a stay at home parent and work from home lawyer . . . all at the same time. Rachel Rodgers shares her experiences as a solo lawyer and parent.

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Selling is only icky if you're selling something you don't believe in to someone who doesn't need it. Your true goal is to deliver your services to clients who need them. So don't make it hard for your potential clients to buy from you. Focus on closing for your benefit and theirs.

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I planned to write a whole long article about the operational steps I took to set up my practice. But . . . I got stuck on step one. Its the most important thing and, therefore, the first thing you should do after you decide to go solo: Get Clients.

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Delegating can be scary for a new or young solo. Learn how to start dabbling in delegating to begin to grow your business and get back your quality of life.

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An Of Counsel arrangement can be very rewarding for an experienced attorney who may be pursuing other interests but enjoys mentoring young lawyers or wants to continue to handle legal work in a less demanding arrangement. (Plus, who doesn’t love a little side money?). For the young lawyer, having an Of Counsel can be an enjoyable way to hone their skills in a particular area of law and to work with another attorney without taking on huge financial risks.

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One year ago today, with great excitement and much trepidation, I launched Rachel Rodgers Law Office (though I'm not even sure it had a name yet). So today, to celebrate with all of you, I want to do a couple of things. First, I want to tell you the things I wish I had known on that official launch day, so that hopefully it will help those of you who will be starting your own solo practices soon. Second, I want to tell you the things I'm glad I knew and did, also in the hopes that it will help soon-to-be-solos. Lastly, I want to encourage you to get past your fear and allow your own wildest dreams to come to fruition.

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Let me start off with a warning that as I write this column I am angry. I've decided enough is enough and am now willing to address this issue, and the attorneys who do what I am about to describe, head on. 'Ethics' is a Dirty Word Professional ethics is supposed to be a code [...]

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As a solo, I am not beholden to a demanding partner and unyielding law firm policies. I have the luxury of setting the policies for my practice, and therefore, my life. By being honest with my clients and clearly managing their expectations, I can meet the needs of my family and my practice. Based on my survey of other lawyer mamas, the two key factors to a successful maternity leave seem to be preparation and flexibility.

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Anywhere. Everywhere. That's Where You'll Find Me. When I was first considering solo practice, one of my main struggles was choosing a location. At the time, I lived in the New York City area but my husband and I had been talking about moving to a warmer climate for some time. Couple that with my [...]

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