The practice of law is much different than it was ten years ago. It demands more specialization and discipline in order to be successful in today's marketplace. However, there are challenges that remain the same.
When you first start your practice, you can never anticipate and prepare for every contingency, including difficult clients, outcomes that go the opposite way to what you anticipated, and achieving the right balance between your personal life and your responsibilities to your practice. Nonetheless, when you decide on being a sole practitioner, you can go as far and as wide as your imagination and critical discernment can take you. Keep in mind that you are the critical cog in the motion of that business, which requires maintenance and support. Your overall mental health and happiness are important. Find your balance in representing your clients and supporting yourself. Setting down a roadmap of how you will be supported in tough times and scheduling your personal maintenance in advance will assist in avoiding burnout and careless mistakes.
We have all endured the crucible known as law school and bar ads to enter this profession, and we all have to engage in long term visioning as well. Sole practitioners are the backbone of the administration of law, and you should turn your mind to succession planning in case of death or illness, expansion, and eventually the winding down of one’s practice—just like any other business. Time certainly flies when you are in the trenches and all these events we will inevitably materialize.
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