GOING SOLO?
Law School Life
GOING SOLO?
By Erik J. Provitt 3L, Atlanta’ s John Marshall Law School
While the job market for new lawyers is certainly improving, it is not the panacea many of us dreamed of when we made the decision to attend law school. Whether you decided to go to law school as a means to earn a comfortable living or you went to address deficiencies in our society that can only be cured by a lawyer, the means to accomplish your goals may no longer be found in a downtown firm or the local legal aid society. The State Bar of Georgia and the five ABA-approved law schools in Georgia may have created a realistic path to that dream in the form of solo practice.
The Lawyers for Equal Justice( LEJ) is an 18-month incubator program for newer lawyers to start innovative, socially conscious law practices providing affordable services to low and moderate income clients. The vision of its Executive Director is that the participants will leave the incubator with thriving, innovative legal practices that“ break the mold” to provide cost-effective services throughout Georgia. In addition, participants will implement best business practices that allow them more freedom, control and flexibility to enjoy their practice and life outside their practices.
Stephanie Everett is the first Executive Director of the LEJ. She is a 2002 graduate of Georgia State University’ s law school. She may be the perfect person to help lead new lawyers through the gauntlet of starting a practice. In 2007, Ms. Everett left Big Law to start a boutique firm. Despite the headwinds of the recession at the time, she helped grow that practice into a 20 lawyer firm in just seven years. Ms. Everett managed all aspects of her firm’ s operations— from firm finances to attorney training and mentoring. It was her passion for teaching and creating successful businesses that led her to Lawyers for Equal Justice. She knows that starting your own law firm can be an overwhelming task for a new lawyer fresh out of law school. Ms. Everett stated,“ You have to figure out how to start and run a business, attract and retain clients, and practice your substantive area of law- all on your own.” She continued,“ this program solves those problems.” The incubator program is a collaborative community that allows participants to develop their practice while receiving first-class training, mentoring and support on business and legal issues.
Participants will be chosen through a competitive selection process that includes a personal statement and interview. In addition to being a graduate of one of Georgia’ s ABAapproved law schools and a member of the state bar, the ideal candidate should:
• Have an entrepreneurial spirit and be excited to explore the latest innovations in legal practice management and delivery;
• Be committed to the access to justice and using the power of law to impact client’ s lives and build better communities;
• Be creative, flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances
• Be willing to commit to 18 months of participation in LEJ
A new group of 10 lawyers will be brought in every six months, with a total of 30 lawyers in the program at any given time. Participants will be provided with assistance in establishing a solo or small firm practice serving the legal needs of low and moderate-income individuals and small businesses. Additionally, they will have a shared office space in a collaborative environment fostering innovation, practice resources, including law practice management technology and will receive mentoring by experienced and respected practitioners. Ms. Everett noted,“ Several judges and experienced practitioners have reached out to me and expressed how they wished this program existed when they graduated!”
If you are thinking of establishing a solo practice and would like to best position yourself for selection into the Lawyers for Equal Justice’ s incubator program, Ms. Everett recommends,“ Begin to think about what you want for your life and your practice. Start creating a vision for your law firm.” Additionally, you should“ take advantage of law school clinics” and“ consider taking classes that focus on the business of law.” If you are still“ in love with the law” and have been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, submit your application to the Lawyers for Equal Justice.
More information about the Lawyers for Equal Justice can be found at: https:// lawyersforequaljustice. legal. io /
14 THE ATLANTA LAWYER January 2016 The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association