10 RULES for SOLOS
by Matthew Homann
the [non]billable hour
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

The good news: As a solo, you are
your own boss, can do whatever
1
you want, and answer only to
yourself. That’s also the bad news.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Your solo practice is far more likely
to fail because you’re a bad business
2
person than because you’re a bad
lawyer.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Procrastinators make terrible solos.
Nothing will impact your ability to
succeed as much as your inability to
3
manage your time. Your legal skill is
irrelevant when you don’t send
your bills out on time.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Never underestimate the value of
the water cooler. You can find
4
many "co-workers” online. Just
don’t spend all your time there.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Would you let your plumber appear
in court for you? You can’t expect
5 someone to appreciate your
expertise if you fail to appreciate
theirs.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

If you’re looking for a guru, you can
6
have Foonberg. I’ll take Elefant.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

If you’re thinking of opening a
“general” practice, remember this:
Your clients don’t have “general”
7 legal problems, they have specific
ones. They’ll hire you because
you’re able to help them, not
everyone else.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Your friends, family and business
contacts may hire you eventually, but
8 they’ll rarely do so right away. They
have to need to hire you, not just
want to.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Never tell prospective clients that
being a solo makes you cheaper to
them. Show them that being a solo
9 makes you better for them. If your
clients hire you because your rates
are low, they will fire you as soon as
your rates are no longer low enough.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

There is no shame in being solo.
Your clients have their own
10 problems, and are looking to you
to solve them. When you do,
you’ll both profit.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved

Matthew Homann is the founder of LexThink
and the author of the [non]billable hour blog.
He helps lawyers and law firms find
innovative ways to serve clients better and
make more money.
You can reach him at Matt @ LexThink.com
or follow him on Twitter @MattHomann.
© Matthew Homann 2009 All Rights Reserved