Build a Solo Practice, LLC has a great post this morning called, When going home to go to work benefits the client.
One more reason to move your law office home. It works, really. While I agree with Susan, it is not for everyone. Don't discount it until you have given it some series research and thought.
By the way, while you are over at Build a Solo Practice, LLC, make sure you sign up for updates to the upcoming Solo Practice University.
I bet that got your attention. Especially since it was posted on the Home Office Lawyer. Well, Jay Fleischman certainly got my attention when he posted this, Why Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers Can't Work from Home.
This is a great post by Jay which really nails it why some attorneys will not practice from home. "Fear of the unknown, fear of changing the way you think about your world. Fear of how people - your clients, your colleagues, your judges - perceive you."
However, Jay takes it a step further and gives the one reason no one wants to hear. "Because you have no confidence."
Go over to Jay's POST and get the "rest of the story."
Only you can say if solo practice is right for you. That is a recent post on Build a Solo Practice, LLC.
Susan makes one statement in her post that really struck a nerve. "There are plenty within the legal profession (and without) ready to dash your dreams as they impose their own fears and agendas upon you." Oh how true. But, I truly think there is more and some of it worse.
First, while some do have fears. I think there are just as many who are really jealous. Yes, I said it. They are jealous that those of us who go solo, actually had the gonads to do so. They are jealous they are still working for a firm or a partner in a firm and because of that, have to answer to someone or something.
Next, there are those who simple can't put their big firm echo aside and actually think someone working in a solo firm, god forbid in a home office solo firm is actually practicing law. And we do. I would venture to guess those of us in solo or small firms, do more practicing of law than some in the big law firms. We are actually representing Joe Public. And, believe it or not big law, we represent businesses, corporations and government entities. And we do it well.
And, there are those who actually feel you should not practice as a solo. Early in my legal career, I was attending a CLE in Wichita, Kansas. While attending the CLE, the director of our state ethics bar actually said in public, "no one should practice as a solo." I only wish I would have had available to me than the same technology I have available today. I would have recorded those comments and made them a permanent mp3 on this blog. But, it is comments like that which shows just exactly what causes some to never chance their dream of being a solo attorney. Don't listen to them.
Instead, read blogs like Build a Solo Practice, LLC. And subscribe to her E-zine for continued information about solo practice.
Separating the home office from the rest of the home, or the family activities can be a challenge at best. You have to create some sort of division between your home office and the rest of the home to maintain some form of productivity and to ensure your success as a home office professional. If you have the same option that I had, you should try to find a room that is as isolated from the rest of the house as possible. I use a room in my basement. Some others I know, use the attic, a spare bedroom, or a converted back room of the house. Still others use a room in the garage and even an outbuilding completely separate from the main house structure. The smaller the home, the more of a challenge it will be.
Personally I am not in favor of trying to use a room for your home office and also for other family functions. And I don't believe you can be productive if you use dividers in an attempt to separate yourself from the rest of the house. As they say in the movies, "get a room." And have a door you can shut.
In my home office and even though it is in the basement, I have a separate outside entrance to my office. Not that I make it a practice to meet my clients at my house. But it it nice to know if I do, they don't have to interrupt the rest of the house. Having a separate entrance may be important to you. This can also be a consideration as to where in the home you will put your home office.
Get organized!! If you use files, try to have the room for as many file cabinets as you might need. I scan as much of my files as I can. Two reasons. One, saves on the necessity for square footage. Second, if I leave the office I have my files with me and when I am in the office, I don't have to look for a file folder. It is all on my computer. How much space you have available in your home office may decide for you whether you will be a paperLESS office or not.
The main concern in deciding whether you are going to be a home office professional or not is will you have enough room. Enough room to be comfortable, to do the work you need to do and to store and organize the things you need.
Home Office Lawyer has made the ABA Journal's 100 best websites for lawyers. The ABA Journal is inviting its readers to vote for their favorite legal blogs in a dozen categories. I am asking my readers to use the link in the sidebar or in this post and vote. And thanks to the ABA for the honor of being included.
One of my favorite blogs, Build A Solo Practice, LLC just turned one year old. To celebrate the big event, Susan did a complete redesign or facelift of her blog. I have to say, it looks just wonderful. Easy to read. Easy to find what you are looking for and the layout is just great.
What is really exciting, Susan has included in her new design a sign up for the Solo Practice University E-zine. I signed up for the E-Zine and if the rest of the offerings are as good as the first, this is going to be an excellent source of information too.
If you don't have Build a Solo Practice, LLC in your RSS reader, you need to have your head examined. This is truly one of the best blogs out there which provides timely and helpful information on "how to create and grow your legal practice."
Beating the Top 10 Problems of Working at Home is a new post over at Home Office Warrior.
They include:
The Virtual Lawyer has the start of what appears to be a great upcoming series of post on “How can lawyers leverage their time?”
In his post Roger suggest four things we can do to leverage:
If we take these one at time, the first one is something most of us do already. However, the home office lawyer may take this one step further. In my own office, I use a virtual assistant. Someone that is off site that does work for me on an as needed basis. This type of arrangement is great as it saves you both time and money. Not only do I save money by the fact I don’t have to supply office space, office equipment and supplies. I did not have to spend the time to train this person. Most if not all VA’s are experienced and can jump right in helping you accomplish your goals.
The rest I will discuss as The Virtual Lawyer post the next in his series. But, be thinking about the next three and post any comments you have here. This looks to be a great topic that should generate some great conversation.
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