End of the Year Check-In-Still Thinking About Going Solo?

In November 2021, I asked you if you were ready to “Go Solo.” Here I am, 2 years later, posing the same question. In the last 2 years, I have seen a massive wave of attorneys decide to hang their own shingle and make a go of it on their own. Why? The benefits are neverending. I conducted a poll on Facebook the other day and here is where other solos weighed in on the best parts of being a solo.

The Benefits?

• Control
• Flexibility
• Time Freedom
• Control over the amount of money you make
• Financial Freedom
• No BS
• No boss
• Picking your clients
• Picking your practice area
• Calling the shots
• Autonomy
• Control

Control, Flexibility, and Money ranked as the Top 3.

Why Now More than Ever?

Many of you are feeling burnt out, voiceless in your firm, undervalued, underpaid, and are just ready for a change.  COVID was a huge wake-up call. You got a taste of flexibility. You got to work from home guilt-free. And now your bosses want to see you in the office, but you are used to getting your kids on and off the bus. You aren’t loving the commute. You are dying for autonomy. You and your boss are no longer jiving like you once did. You are fine going into the office, sometimes, but you don’t want it to be required when you know damn well you can get more done at home.

You Dream of Becoming your Own Boss

What if you could be your own boss? Decide the days you will go into an office. Decide the days you will work from home. Decide your hours. Decide the clients with whom you will work? 

I have heard from so many of you that you have been dreaming of “Going Solo.” The very next thing I hear is you aren’t quite sure if and how to pull that trigger. Why? Because of fear. Fear of so many things and so many unknowns.  

In my 1-1 life coaching sessions with clients, I found that FEAR is our number one holdback. I can tell you; it was definitely mine, but not for the reasons you might think.

Fear is Holding You Back from Going Solo

I have seen these 4 Sources of FEAR time and time again:

1. Finances. You are afraid you won’t make enough money. You won’t have enough referrals. You won’t be able to make ends meet and support your family. How to manage your IOLTA account? How will you pay yourself? How do you do all of this!?  
2. Start-Up. You don’t even know how to BEGIN setting up your own firm. Where do you start? How do you start? What should be first? What matters? What doesn’t?
3. Relationships. This fear is a toughie and pulls on our hearts so hard it is difficult to take any action because these feelings paralyze us. This fear is the one that held me back a long time. I was fearful of leaving my firm and losing the relationships I had there. I was afraid of what others might think if I left a well-regarded and well-known firm. Would leaving the firm also hurt my relationships with people outside of the firm in ways I could not fathom? 
4. Time Management. Perhaps you are afraid that without the accountability of a boss or other partner, you will waste your day away and not bill the proper amount of hours. Heck, now that you are on your own, you don’t even know how much to bill! 

Is this you?  

I Can Help You Overcome Your Fears and Go Solo

If so, I can help. I have answers, solutions, and mindset shifts for each and every one of those fears and all of the underlying questions each fear will bring to the table. 

There are two ways you can work with me so you can figure this out for YOU.

You can choose to work with me 1-1 (and start now!). Book your 1st session with me here (for free!) where we will talk about your fears of going solo and where I can help.

Or, you can start the year STRONG and sign up for my Going Solo Workshop, beginning January 2, 2024 (held every Tuesday in January at 7 PM EST via Zoom). Here is what we will cover:

Week 1: Visualization & Introduction
Ease into your journey with a powerful introduction, setting the stage for your solo law practice. Through visualization exercises, lay the groundwork for your envisioned success.

Week 2: Mastering Financial Freedom
Tackle the fear of finances head-on. Gain expert strategies to navigate the financial landscape, manage resources, and build a secure foundation for your practice.

Week 3: Overcoming Startup Hurdles
Delve into the nitty-gritty of launching your firm. From legal requirements to establishing a brand identity, equip yourself for a seamless startup.

Week 4: Balancing Professional Pursuits & Relationships
Uncover the magic words that propelled me into solo practice. Discover how to gracefully exit your current firm and navigate this transition with finesse. Learn to discern the relationships that truly matter, preserving and nurturing them while forging new, invaluable connections.

Week 5: Time Management & Beyond
Master effective time management strategies and wrap up your transformative workshop. Get a sneak peek into an upcoming exclusive mastermind designed to amplify your success further.

Why Attend?
This workshop is your compass to navigate the intimidating waters of solo legal practice. Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and a supportive community to overcome fears and embark on a successful solo law career.

By the end of this course, you will know if you want to go solo, you will have quelled your fears, and you will have the action steps spelled out for what you need to do next to hang your own shingle. 

Why Me?

In 2018, the decision to go solo was a pivotal moment (visit my law firm’s website here). The weight of that choice lingered, much like it might for you. Fortunately, I had mentors guiding me through the fear and uncertainty, and I want to share that invaluable support with you.

I’m honored to be recognized as a top 100 lawyer in Maryland. This, coupled with my firsthand experience launching and mentoring successful solo lawyers, positions me to guide you toward your own thriving practice.