Take a chance on solo attorney or small law firm

 Big Law Firms are like the BIG HOUSE ON THE HILL!  They are awesome.

If you have never been to a large law firm office, you are missing out on an experience.   

And they do a great job of building up to the experience. The TV ads!  The Billboards!  The Radio Ads!  The bus ads!  Marqui sponsorships!  They are everywhere.

And then, when you decide to hire a large firm, you are going to experience something you have never experienced.  Whether it’s their own building or inside of a high rise, engaging a large law firm can feel like an overwhelming experience but it IS an experience.

Marble floors. Luxurious furniture.  Glassed in conference rooms.   Refreshments.   A large law firm experience can feel like staying at a 5 star resort.

I am a huge fan of large law firms.

HOWEVER……

As someone who used to work in a medium size firm (with a small firm culture) for 6 years before running his own solo law firm for 9 years, let me tell you 3 reasons why you should take a chance on a Solo or a Small Law firm.

1. SUPERSTAR at your fingertips

You would be surprised to know the number of small law firms or solo law firms that are composed of attorneys who have worked for or against Big Firms or Big Corporations.   As such, they are very comfortable dealing with the large law firms or large corporations.   The fact that they are no longer working in those environments means if you hire someone like this, you are literally getting at a SUPERSTAR at your fingertips.

2. HOMETOWN appeal

The first time you go to a small law firm or a solo law firm, you may be startled a bit.  The work environment is probably going to be VERY laid back.  You are probably going to feel like you are visiting someone’s home. That’s because the firm takes on the culture and identity of the attorney.   So, if you have a laid back attorney, you are probably going to experience a laid back office.

3. LIMITED case load

When I ran my own law firm, at any point in time, I had about 75 cases going.   That may seem like a lot but when I worked for a firm, I had anywhere close to a 1000 cases associated with my name at any given time.  What does that mean?  That meant that there was a greater likelihood that I was intimately familiar with all of my cases.  As such, I knew my cases from ‘cradle to grave’ in terms of any quirks or issues.

Hiring a law firm is a uniquely personal experience.  Whether it be a Large firm, medium fire, small firm or solo, you must pick a lawyer or law firm that works for you.   However, when you are going through the decision process, take a chance with a solo or small law firm.  You may be pleasantly surprised.