Girl, I needed this video so badly! I've been working at the same firm for two years and feel like I'm on autopilot everyday. Although my supervisor has been an amazing mentor, I know in my heart that there is no mobility for me at her office. I've been wanting to start my own firm for some time, and I'm terrified, but your advice was so encouraging and honest and I'm finally ready to do it. Thank you so much!! :-) Cheers, Maureen
Reeny125 I'm so happy to hear that! If you're supervisor has been mentoring you well, then you're going to do great when you open your own practice. Good luck with everything! Get it 💪🏼
If you work for a firm you also may be working late hours and on weekends. A lot of employers expect that nowadays. Not a 9-5 clock out profession no matter what (unless maybe you work for the government). Imho
R M yup that’s true. I agree with you. Many firms demand long hours. But there’s no way anyone will ever work harder for someone else than they will for themselves.
Hi, Nicole! First time watcher and new subscriber!! I loved your video(!!) -- it's awesome to hear from someone who has gone solo, especially since it's one of those topics that is almost entirely unknown coming out of law school or even years into practicing law! Can't wait for the next video! :)
I saw this three years ago and I wish I would have taken heed. I am thinking about wrapping up my two year practice and really find my sweet spot in the career.
Attorney Natasha Scruggs hey! That’s awesome. I can honestly say that finding your sweet spot is a constant journey. It sounds corny but it’s real lol I’m constantly looking for what’s best for me in that particular stage in my life. Good luck with your next steps!! Keep me posted :)
Sure, everyone has to try and see what options work best for him/her. I am happy being solo after 14 years, but I also know of plenty of attorney-friends who were too stressed out and tired of trying to make money while handling all the administrative tasks. Good luck with your future plans!
Great video Nicole. Agree that there are more and more resources and support for starting out solo! It's a tough gig, but also a very rewarding one. A quote that comes to mind is: "Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all." ~ Stephen King
Odracirys Mediys yay so glad you caught that video and yes! Roberto's advice was awesome. Good luck with your videos. Hope to catch some of yours soon :)
Stopped by from Roberto.... totally solid advice 😀 Very universal for many fields...I did the same thing when I started my furniture company many years ago...and don't forget the stress.lol
It's totally fun. I get to build really fun pieces and do what I love! Especially now, I have very recently started a Diy how to channel and have become obsessed with shooting and editing ...The only thing I can't figure out how is how to slow down time so I can do more!😀
Thanks for the video. I am a solo law practitioner-immigration law. I agree with you on all 3 points-Hustle, Uncomfortable, and building your own dreams. I experience all three things every freaking day!!! But I enjoy what I do and even enjoy more when my clients get their visa, green cards, and/or citizenship!
I hope that you're still responding to viewer questions because it's been over a year the last time someone commented on your UA-cam channel. What kind of work do you think someone would need to invest to get a successful law firm going (i.e., funding, workload, workday duration, typical working hours, etc.)? Also, how long does it normally take to their business off the ground (e.g., hiring employees to help ease the workload)?
It seems like you quitting your law practice wasn’t what you thought it would be. If I start a law firm, I need to know whether it’s a good idea or not. In other words, does it make current business sense to open one up? If I did, what legal field makes the most sense to get into?
Yeah those are great questions to ask before opening your own firm. There's a lot of thought that goes into it (or should go into it!) As for me leaving the law: it's exactly what I thought it would be. Like most things in life though, unless you try them out, you never know how you feel about them.
It depends on where you are located, what area of practice you'd focus on, whether you have money saved up for all the overhead and your bills for at least 1-2 years, what job you currently are doing and what the pay is, etc. I'm a solo in North Carolina and found that doing family law, civil litigation, and employment law has been lucrative for me. Best wishes!
Hey Nicole. I'm from South Africa and I understand that you might not be able to answer some of my questions. However, I just want to know how the billing system works... Like from the moment you get a client to when you're done with that client how does the billing work?. Thanks
It all depends. Some years I made ok money, other years great money. At the beginning I barely made anything. A solo practice luckily doesn't cost that much to start up, maybe a couple of thousand as long as you have internet, a computer, paper/supplies, a cell phone, etc. Some people don't even have a real office. The hard part is getting paying clients.
Thank you for your informative video. I'm a solo in North Carolina and it has worked out well.
Girl, I needed this video so badly! I've been working at the same firm for two years and feel like I'm on autopilot everyday. Although my supervisor has been an amazing mentor, I know in my heart that there is no mobility for me at her office. I've been wanting to start my own firm for some time, and I'm terrified, but your advice was so encouraging and honest and I'm finally ready to do it. Thank you so much!! :-)
Cheers,
Maureen
Reeny125 I'm so happy to hear that! If you're supervisor has been mentoring you well, then you're going to do great when you open your own practice. Good luck with everything! Get it 💪🏼
Hey! How did it go? I feel like how you wrote here 2 years ago. Please do advice!
Cheers in advance.
If you work for a firm you also may be working late hours and on weekends. A lot of employers expect that nowadays. Not a 9-5 clock out profession no matter what (unless maybe you work for the government). Imho
R M yup that’s true. I agree with you. Many firms demand long hours. But there’s no way anyone will ever work harder for someone else than they will for themselves.
Thanks for your energy and insight Nicole! You inspired me- I'm solo now. I love that you were one of the first periscopers too! Happy V Day.
shanieboysmom Aw thanks for saying that. How's your solo practice going? Happy Vday :)
It’s an even better time today. Love your advice!
Hi, Nicole! First time watcher and new subscriber!! I loved your video(!!) -- it's awesome to hear from someone who has gone solo, especially since it's one of those topics that is almost entirely unknown coming out of law school or even years into practicing law! Can't wait for the next video! :)
I know your channel is going to do very well, your advice is concise and useful thanks for sharing
CivilGuy thanks a bunch!
I saw this three years ago and I wish I would have taken heed. I am thinking about wrapping up my two year practice and really find my sweet spot in the career.
Attorney Natasha Scruggs hey! That’s awesome. I can honestly say that finding your sweet spot is a constant journey. It sounds corny but it’s real lol I’m constantly looking for what’s best for me in that particular stage in my life. Good luck with your next steps!! Keep me posted :)
Sure, everyone has to try and see what options work best for him/her. I am happy being solo after 14 years, but I also know of plenty of attorney-friends who were too stressed out and tired of trying to make money while handling all the administrative tasks. Good luck with your future plans!
Great video Nicole. Agree that there are more and more resources and support for starting out solo! It's a tough gig, but also a very rewarding one. A quote that comes to mind is: "Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all." ~ Stephen King
FOXLAW QLD Oh love that quote. Solo is certainly not for the faint of heart but many do it and do it well!
Thank you for sharing! I'm so ready to go solo!
Sibon Phiri awesome. Good luck!
How'd it go?
I am so glad I found this video! I am so energized after watching you and ready to start :)
Thank you for sharing your insight on the solo practice route for all of those like me who interested in law.
Thank you so much for this video
Great advice. I'm ready to do it!!
Starts at 2:21.
Really helpful video.
I saw you on Roberto Blake. The advice on that video is pushing me as well, although I haven't really started with videos. Good luck to us both!
Odracirys Mediys yay so glad you caught that video and yes! Roberto's advice was awesome. Good luck with your videos. Hope to catch some of yours soon :)
Stopped by from Roberto.... totally solid advice 😀 Very universal for many fields...I did the same thing when I started my furniture company many years ago...and don't forget the stress.lol
Doing it With jason That's great to hear! How's your furniture biz going now?
It's totally fun. I get to build really fun pieces and do what I love! Especially now, I have very recently started a Diy how to channel and have become obsessed with shooting and editing ...The only thing I can't figure out how is how to slow down time so I can do more!😀
also, looking forward to hearing your story for a different day!
Thanks for the video. I am a solo law practitioner-immigration law. I agree with you on all 3 points-Hustle, Uncomfortable, and building your own dreams. I experience all three things every freaking day!!! But I enjoy what I do and even enjoy more when my clients get their visa, green cards, and/or citizenship!
Glad you were successful as a solo. I'm a solo in NC. It is a great feeling when you help people who are grateful too!
Yes!!! So inspiring! How did you begin getting stable business?
I hope that you're still responding to viewer questions because it's been over a year the last time someone commented on your UA-cam channel. What kind of work do you think someone would need to invest to get a successful law firm going (i.e., funding, workload, workday duration, typical working hours, etc.)? Also, how long does it normally take to their business off the ground (e.g., hiring employees to help ease the workload)?
Loved this!
Very sweet....good advice also.
Great information! Much appreciated :)
It seems like you quitting your law practice wasn’t what you thought it would be. If I start a law firm, I need to know whether it’s a good idea or not. In other words, does it make current business sense to open one up? If I did, what legal field makes the most sense to get into?
Yeah those are great questions to ask before opening your own firm. There's a lot of thought that goes into it (or should go into it!) As for me leaving the law: it's exactly what I thought it would be. Like most things in life though, unless you try them out, you never know how you feel about them.
It depends on where you are located, what area of practice you'd focus on, whether you have money saved up for all the overhead and your bills for at least 1-2 years, what job you currently are doing and what the pay is, etc. I'm a solo in North Carolina and found that doing family law, civil litigation, and employment law has been lucrative for me. Best wishes!
Its just Voice of my heart
What do you do for work now ?
Roberto sent me... Great video. Subscribed...
busyrand Roberto's awesome. Thanks for subscribing :)
Why do you quit being a solo after 2 years?
Hey Nicole. I'm from South Africa and I understand that you might not be able to answer some of my questions. However, I just want to know how the billing system works... Like from the moment you get a client to when you're done with that client how does the billing work?. Thanks
Unless there's a flat fee, typically the client would have to provide a big retainer deposit upfront and get billed by the hour.
Preciate.
Beautiful..
How much do you profit and the cost of startup with solo law firm?
It all depends. Some years I made ok money, other years great money. At the beginning I barely made anything. A solo practice luckily doesn't cost that much to start up, maybe a couple of thousand as long as you have internet, a computer, paper/supplies, a cell phone, etc. Some people don't even have a real office. The hard part is getting paying clients.
how does a law firm founder gets paid
Mauricio Davila By getting clients and charging them :)
once a lawyer have clients hed be able to have passive income by charging a fee to any client an associate lawyer could have
Normally i don't like listening to woman but you seem to be logical and reasonable. great well done.. nice video…