Solo Practice University® » Inspiration

Perspective. Perspective. Perspective.

Susan Cartier Liebel — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:00:47 +0000

Life is all about perspective. Expectations, I have found, do more harm then good. If our expectations are too high we will always be disappointed because we don't allow for unplanned opportunities. If our expectations are too low, we may never strive for greater things. What perspective do you have?

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Happy Thanksgiving To All Those Who Believed In Spite of The Naysayers

Susan Cartier Liebel — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:36:14 +0000

While I am thankful for many things in my life, this Thanksgiving I wanted to give thanks for all those who have overcome those brilliant and highly decorated minds who were so sure that what you wanted to do simply could not be done. If people who innovated constantly backed down in the face of an ‘authority’ who said their idea was ridiculous, not worthy, not needed, implausible and a waste of time, where would we be? Read on.....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

Are You ‘Just A Small Time Solo Practitioner’?

Susan Cartier Liebel — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 11:00:19 +0000

I was talking to a relative not too long ago. She's an amazing local attorney practicing more than 30 years, the last 10 years as a solo practitioner. Her 20 year old son was talking to her about career paths and he said, 'but your just a small time local lawyer'. Rather than be offended, she invited him to spend the day with her as she did her 'small time local law'. Read on....

Written by Susan Cartier Liebel

30 Seconds from Death: The Formula for Being a Happier Lawyer

Wendy Witt — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:00:58 +0000

On a cold Tuesday afternoon, just three years after I graduated from law school, I heard code red called in the ER. The code was for me. I was 30 seconds from death: veins collapsed, no blood pressure, 30 pounds under weight, metabolic acidosis prevailed, 32 ounces of blood lost daily, and no ability to sit upright or walk. I was 28 years old and knew nothing about how my reactions cause outcomes. Not knowing almost killed me. Years of stress and anger had taken their toll.....

Written by Wendy Witt

Do You Suffer From Imposter Syndrome?

Suzanne Meehle — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 11:14:44 +0000

Do you ever feel like an imposter? As successful as you are do you believe you are just fooling people because deep down you are incompetent, taking money for work you are ill-prepared to do? Do you think one day you will be found out for the fraud that you are? Well, so do most lawyers. Suzanne Meehle shares her story.

Written by Suzanne Meehle

Points of Pride – #ProudToBeALawyer

Suzanne Meehle — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 13:06:15 +0000

Shakespeare said it best. In reference to a plot to seed anarchy, Dick the Barber says, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." In other words, the lawyers are what stand between the Rule of Law and utter lawlessness.

Written by Suzanne Meehle

Hitting the Ground Running in the New Year

Suzanne Meehle — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 13:00:36 +0000

If you want to hit the ground running in 2017, take some time to sketch out what you want to accomplish this year. And I don't mean doodling some numbers on a legal pad on your lunch hour. Take a day or two off and work on that plan. Do it sooner rather than later. Like, this weekend. Figure out what you want to accomplish. Here's how I'm tackling it.

Written by Suzanne Meehle

Partnership to Solo Practice to Partnership – This Time Doing it Right.

Suzanne Meehle — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:00:14 +0000

I've been practicing law now for over ten years. I started out working at Big Law, and that wasn't for me. And then I started a firm with a partner, and that didn't work out either. Then I went solo, and that's where I've spent the majority of my career. From working out of my home by myself to a brick-and-mortar office with two employees, for more than six years, it's been Just Me, Esq. Until now, that is. Are you ready to take on a partner...again?

Written by Suzanne Meehle

How to Network Now That the Nest is Empty

Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 12:00:59 +0000

“Networking is an ongoing dynamic process.” You need to identify your needs (purpose), integrate the information you hear from others and adapt your process of networking based on the new information you have received. And it can be a very different experience if you are heading back to the practice of law now that the nest is empty.

Written by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton

The Beauty of Compound Choices for Rezoomers

Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:00:20 +0000

The same thing happens when we start rezooming. It seems for a very long time nothing is getting done to effectuate our reentry. We network; write articles, read articles, attend bar association meetings or local business meetings all in the hope of getting back in the game. What we fail to see is that we have, “Initiated the miracle process." We have ignited the compound process whether we recognize it or not. Sustaining the insignificant choices over time will reap important rewards.

Written by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton