Solo lawyer by design : a plan for success in any practice

Author Gary P. Bauer been committed to helping students and graduates succeed in the business of law. Solo Lawyer by Design: A Design for Financial Success in Any Practice is the culmination of his efforts and a ready reference to tap into his extensive experience. It will become a resource that enables the reader to better understand the opportunities and obstacles that may be encountered as a lawyer explores becoming established as a solo practitioner. This book is not designed to sell the idea of solo practice. In fact, it may offer valuable information that makes one decide that solo practice is not the right choice. Throughout the book, the author incorporates true stories to help demonstrate certain concepts.

• Part I Finding Your Passion in the Practice of Law
• Chapter 1 Why This Book? Some Preliminary Matters p. 3
• Chapter 2 Why Should You Listen to Me? p. 9
• Chapter 3 Why You Shouldn't Listen to Me p. 13
• Chapter 4 Your Chances of Going Solo Are Greater Than You Might Think p. 15
• Chapter 5 The Dilemmas Law Students Face When Deciding to Practice Solo p. 19
• Chapter 6 So What Are You Afraid of? Your Greatest Fear May Be Success p. 23
• Chapter 7 Two Who Made the Plunge (Sarah/Alex) p. 27
• Chapter 8 Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses p. 31
• Chapter 9 What Really Matters: The Six Characteristics of Successful Solos p. 35
• Chapter 10 Time Management p. 53
• Chapter 11 Grades Matter, but Your Success in Practice Will Not Be Measured by Your GPA p. 61
• Chapter 12 Blinding the Judge with Your Brilliance: It Is All About Being Prepared p. 65
• Chapter 13 Lawyer? Attorney? What Is the Difference? p. 67
• Chapter 14 What Area of Law Should I Practice? p. 69
• Chapter 15 On Second Thought, Not Such a Good Idea... p. 73
• Chapter 16 Rural Practice: Maybe You Should Look Outside the Crowded Legal Suppliers Market p. 77
• Chapter 17 Card-Table Lawyer: Keeping Your Overhead Low p. 81
• Chapter 18 Should I Work from My Home? p. 91
• Chapter 19 You May Be Able to Earn More Than You Think as a Solo p. 97
• Chapter 20 How to Get More Out of Law School p. 103
• Chapter 21 How Do I Find/Make My First Job? p. 107
• Part II Get on Track to Start Your Own Practice
• Chapter 22 Exploring Your Possible Options, Putting Everything in Context and Understanding the Rudiments of the Legal Profession p. 113
• Chapter 23 A Recommended Timeline to Put You on the Path to Success p. 115
• Chapter 24 Understanding Your Best Options. Start Early: Build Your Practice While Still in Law School p. 117
• Chapter 25 Get Out There During Your First Year in Law School p. 123
• Chapter 26 Continue Your Investigation and Interviews with Local Attorneys p. 127
• Chapter 27 Write, Write, Write p. 129
• Chapter 28 Prepare to Pass the Bar Exam p. 131
• Part III Marketing: Your Biggest Challenge, Your Greatest Opportunity
• Chapter 29 Sell the Sizzle, Hot the Steak: Part I p. 135
• Chapter 30 Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak: Part II p. 141
• Chapter 31 Is a Niche Practice in Your Future? p. 145
• Chapter 32 Carnegie Skills p. 153
• Chapter 33 Uber into Law: Access Docs from Anywhere p. 155
• Chapter 34 Wholesale Versus Retail: Keep Your Eye on the Ball and Expand Your Reach and Influence p. 157
• Chapter 35 Would You Buy a Car Without Wheels? Understand What You Are Selling: It Isn't Paper p. 161
• Chapter 36 Cost-Effective Mediocrity: Make Sure You Invest Your Money Wisely in Marketing Your Firm p. 163
• Chapter 37 Do-It-Yourself Lawyering and How It Might Go Awry p. 165
• Chapter 38 Dog in a Basket: One More Way to Think About How to Sell Your Service and Close the Sale p. 167
• Chapter 39 Your Tiger Team: One Way to Expand Your Sphere of Influence with Greater Efficiency p. 171
• Part IV Miscellaneous Good-to-Know Stuff
• Chapter 40 Why Aren't You Going Paperless? p. 177
• Chapter 41 Not Enough Time for Your Ferrari? Maybe Outsourcing Help Is More Efficient p. 179
• Chapter 42 Why Your Next Hire Might Come from Starbucks p. 181
• Chapter 43 Can't Take Notes? One Tip on Efficient Note-Taking p. 183
• Chapter 44 Google Scholar and Other Free Research Sources: Do You Still Need a Large Library for Legal Research? p. 187
• Chapter 45 Disaster Preparedness: Your Duty and Obligation p. 191
• Chapter 46 How Should I Organize My Business? p. 195
• Chapter 47 Malpractice Insurance p. 199
• Chapter 48 Student Debt Management p. 201
• Part V Client Control Issues
• Chapter 49 Litigation: Is That the Answer for Your Clients? p. 207
• Chapter 50 Barriers to Communication: Learn to Listen Effectively p. 213
• Chapter 51 Client Honesty: Don't Let the Client's Problem Become Your Problem p. 217
• Chapter 52 Cow in the House? Malpractice? Fess Up p. 221
• Chapter 53 The World Is Pass/Fail p. 223
• Chapter 54 Is Your Client a Twenty Footer? A Hard Lesson to Learn: When to Turn Away Business p. 225
• Chapter 55 In and Out: Avoid Bias When Assessing Clients' Communication p. 227
• Chapter 56 Some Final Words: The Dirty Dozen Tips for Solos p. 231
• Index p. 239