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Ethics: N.C. bar to investigate law firms’ cloud computing 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: April 22, 2010

Tags: cloud computing, ethics, solo practice, technology

In response to an inquiry from a law firm, the Ethics Committee of the North Carolina bar has launched an investigation into whether a law firm can utilize cloud computing, which involves storing client and other law firm data on the Internet.

Solo’s switch to flat monthly billing saved his practice 

By: Sylvia Hsieh
Published: April 20, 2010

Tags: alternative billing, practice management, solo practice

For the first time in the six years since he opened his solo practice, Kevin Houchin sleeps through the night.

No more wondering how he’s going to pay the bills. Or if he is falling into the same downward spiral as before the bankruptcy. Or whether his firm will survive another year.

Houchin, whose practice is dedicated to advising creative people on the business side of things, said he owes it all to a gamble he made a year ago to switch from hourly to flat monthly billing.

Book review: How to start a solo practice 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: April 16, 2010

Tags: practice management, solo practice, start-up

In 2007, Renee Caggiano Berman decided to start her own practice. A self-described risk-taker, Berman felt qualified as a lawyer to hang out her shingle, but found that she lacked other necessary skills, including those of an accountant, officer manager and business owner.

Inspired by her experience, Berman wrote “The Ultimate Guide to Solo and Small Firm Success” to help other attorneys through the process of starting and running their own firm.

Avoid these rookie mistakes when opening a small firm 

By: Sylvia Hsieh
Published: April 14, 2010

Tags: practice management, solo practice, start-up, technology

More lawyers are striking out on their own, either by choice or for lack of alternatives. Lawyers USA recently spoke with Kelly Jones, president of BTF Services, a small business consultant in Phoenix, Ariz., to get her top technology and financial tips for the start-up firm.

ABA panel: Economy forces attorneys to get down to business 

By: Aaron Krivitzky
Published: August 5, 2009

Tags: practice management, solo practice

With many law firms around the country shedding attorneys, some practitioners are opting to start their own firms, either by choice or out of necessity.

Launching a new solo practice

By: Reni Gertner
Published: March 31, 2009

Tags: solo practice

This column will examine the “rules of the road” for a new venture that more lawyers are considering: opening a solo practice.

The highly publicized troubles of large corporate firms make the prospect of having their own firm seem more attractive to many young or newly unemployed lawyers. But more than 60 percent of private law practice lawyers are solos or in small firms, so the competition is intense.

Share and share alike 

By: Dick Dahl
Published: November 5, 2007

Tags: office, solo practice

Lawyer office sharing is proliferating in many parts of the country – especially in high-cost cities where attorneys who want to leave large firms are finding the high cost of office rental prohibitive.