Solo Practice University® » Demographic/Economic Trends

Reality Check – Part 4 – Worrying Will Kill You!

Susan Cartier Liebel — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:49:30 +0000

I have to admit it. I'm a worrier. I worry about my family, my mother, my husband and son. I worry about the economy, people and animals, the future of our politically divided country, the food supply and climate change. I worry about income and inflation and retirement and health. I worry. I worry about many things, some within my control and some not. Ironically, worry has proven to be quite the motivator for me when combined with an insatiable curiosity about people and life. I don't think I'm particularly unique when it comes to worrying. Most people I know say they don't worry at all (liars) or they say they worry all the time. But at the end of the day most of us have some level of worry which keeps us up at night. (And the irony is most people over 65 say their biggest regret is spending too much of their lives worrying!).....Read on!

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Reality Check Part 3: Working from Home is The New Norm. How Do You Handle Work and Family Successfully?

Susan Cartier Liebel — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:08:51 +0000

Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic becoming less severe, remote work only seems to be trending upwards. The reality is that the Pandemic might simply have been a catalyst for greater interest and trend among workers. Here are some insights our research uncovered.....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Reality Check – Part 2 – Growing a Law Firm in This Economy? 10 Tips You Don’t Want to Miss

Susan Cartier Liebel — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:01:53 +0000

How can you create and grow your solo practice while still delivering quality legal services to those who have an income that is either stagnating or in decline due to unprecedented inflation? 10 Tips you don't want to miss. Read on....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

When ‘Going Green’ Could Very Well Put You In The Red

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:13:11 +0000

It's very exciting to embrace technology. It's new, it's shiny, it's fast. Every law practice management consultant tells you you will fall behind if you don't. Myself included. However, as I have written before, you must embrace the technology gap from the perspective of your client. Not every client wants this. Not every client is capable of embracing it. Not every client will feel comfortable. And just as some embrace the latest technology, the goal post for 'latest' moves. And lest we forget, every consultant tells you to build a client-centric practice in order to succeed. So, how do we build a client-centered practice which remains technologically progressive but understands not all customers are technologically progressive? how do we stay efficient and friendly and not alienate our clients, or worse, they fail to hire to us?

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Reality Check Part 1: In 2022 – 2025 Your Clients Will Not Be Able to Afford Your Legal Services

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 20:35:13 +0000

Many in the legal profession have already made their 2022 predictions almost a year ago (and 2023 will be coming soon). They will showcase trends in technology, staffing, management as they see it and much more, particularly as it relates to the actual practice of law. I applaud the vision and guidance they bring to our profession. I’ve made them along with my podcast buddy, Jared Correia. However, as many of you know, I tend to go for the much, much bigger picture, the economic trends facing your clients as money (or lack thereof) drives the realities of your day-to-day practice from your marketing efforts, your choice of practice areas, your office set up, your fee structure, how you package your services, and even your personal life style. Read on....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

First There Is the Lie. Then There is the Bigger Lie. Then Statistics.

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:00:24 +0000

There was a recent posting on Above The Law discussing Benjamin Barton’s new book, Glass Half Full: The Decline And Rebirth of The American Legal Profession . The highlight and discussion catalyst was the chart that compares what a solo earns to what a Big Partner earns. It's pretty dramatic. Let's find out the truth.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

What Legal Consumers Need vs What You Think They Want

Susan Cartier Liebel — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:30:18 +0000

The narrative currently embraced by everyone in the profession is the predominant reason why consumers don’t engage lawyers is cost. Wrong! In a recent legal needs survey it was determined that cost is not the predominant factor when deciding not to hire a lawyer…even in today’s economy. Surprisingly, the dominant reason consumers are not contacting lawyers is...read more.

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Why More Women Go Solo

Suzanne Meehle — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:00:11 +0000

Have you noticed that women lawyers seem to be going solo at a faster rate than their male counterparts? We may start off as associates at Big Law, but we don't tend to stay there. In fact, less than seventeen percent of female associates ever become equity partners in their firms. Only about four percent make it to the level of managing shareholder. Think you know why that is? Read on....

Written by Suzanne Meehle

Are You Working With The New Consumer-Facing Legal Startups?

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:30:09 +0000

2015 is shaping up to be THE year of the legal startup. Angelist.com is flush with more than 720 startups and almost 1,100 investors. In 2013 a stunning $458 million was invested into legal startups, a breathtaking leap from a mere $66 million invested in 2012. But while investment dollars declined in 2014, the startups are proliferating […]

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Who are the 21st Century Companies Connecting Lawyers to Clients?

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 13:30:20 +0000

This post follows up 80% of Americans Can’t Afford Your Legal Fees. And to underscore the gravity of the first post, this recent article came home to drop the boom on the global economy overall. Yes, while the rest of the 99% of the world saw just a mere five percent of the post-recession income […]

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel