BALI Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Highlights Solo Legal Innovators and Their Social Missions

By Frank Zeccola 
LCD Graduate Fellow 

If you are considering starting your own solo practice in any area of law, you should take a long look at the Bay Area Legal Incubator (BALI) program, sponsored in part by Golden Gate University School of Law. The program bills itself as a “social mission incubator,” explaining that “we help attorneys accelerate the development of solo practices that have positive impact in our communities and our neighbors’ lives.”

The 2016-2017 program launched on May 27 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its shared office space in Oakland.

The BALI program, open to all licensed Bay Area attorneys, aims to close the wealth gap that places legal services out of reach for many low-income and even middle-class people. “Very few of us can afford to pay anyone, let alone an attorney, $300 per hour for some undefined, open number of hours,” BALI’s website states. To solve this problem, BALI trains and supports attorneys in “modest means” practices that include reduced or contingency-fee based legal services.

Accordingly, BALI attorneys are required to spend a minimum of half of their time taking on either pro bono or reduced-fee legal work for people of modest means with household incomes of three times the national poverty level or less.

In exchange, BALI gives attorneys a shared community, space, and resources, as well as mentorship in law practice management and substantive law.

Legal Resource - Solo Practice University

By Alex Hoyt-Heydon
Graduate Fellow, Law Career Development

Striking out on one’s own can be an interesting experience. For many of us, we have been brought up and raised on stories of the lone wolf, the solitary hero, or even just “The One.” Movies, books, and television shows of a single person against the rest of the world are so common that they have become an inseparable part of modern living. Most of us can probably remember back to that first breath of fresh air as we stepped into our first apartment away from our parent’s house, finally on your own.

Yet even as amazing as that first breath of freedom feels, it always seems to be followed by a less then pleasurable second thought. Now what? Being on your own carries with it a lot of work and responsibility, and even the best prepared will always miss a detail or two that could lead them into trouble down the road. And in the legal world, the devil is always in those details. Luckily, for those lawyers looking to start their own solo careers, Solo Practice University has a blog full of information to help you set up and maintain that decision.

Networking Is A Necessity, Not A Luxury

By Erica L. Morris
Law Career Development, Graduate Fellow

The next time you are tempted to blow-off a networking event, consider this: an overwhelming number of law school graduates find their first jobs through networking and self-initiated contact as opposed to on-campus interviews or sending in cold resumes. This concept remains true for individuals outside the legal profession; "the number one way people find jobs and job openings is through networking and personal contacts." Alternatively, "[a]ttorneys who do not network often fail over time because of this fact alone." Thus, networking is a vital component to not only developing a legal career, but to continuing to have a successful career as well.  In essence, networking is a necessity, not a luxury.

Hanging Your Shingle – Tips for Future Solo Practitioners

by Andrea Loh
Director of Employer Outreach

Have you ever considered opening a solo practice? Earlier this week, a panel of Bay Area solo practitioners offered their advice for launching and maintaining a successful legal practice. Below are some of the key takeaways shared during “Going (and Thriving) Solo,” hosted by UC Hastings College of the Law on August 12, 2015. Panelists included Rafael Climaco (Law Office of Rafael Climaco), Otis Landerholm (GGU JD 10) (Landerholm Immigration A.P.C.), and Jill McInerney (Law Office of Jill E McInerney). Tiela Chalmers, CEO of the Alameda County Bar Association, moderated the discussion.

Starting Out. Before launching your practice, speak with other solo practitioners about their own experiences, advice, and lessons learned. Consider reaching out to alums from your law school or find seasoned practitioners by joining the Bar Association of San Francisco’s “Solo and Small Firm” section. Supplement these conversations by reading any number of available guides, including “How to Start and Build a Law Practice” by Jay G. Foonberg.

Specialize. The panelists universally agreed that specializing in a particular practice area is fundamental to running a successful solo practice. Specializing enables you to become familiar with nuances of the law as well as build a strong community of support.

Gain Experience. If you are considering entering a new practice area, obtain substantive legal experience by performing pro bono work through a non-profit organization or your local bar association. Pro bono work also provides an excellent opportunity to network with other lawyers and meet potential future clients.

Space. Even if you plan to do most of your legal work from home, invest in a professional office space where you can conduct client meetings. Oftentimes solo practitioners will share office space with other attorneys to minimize their costs. Shared office space may also provide you with access to administrative support and office resources (e.g., copier, fax machine). Having a separate office location serves the dual purpose of reinforcing your brand as a legal professional and serves to maintain boundaries between your personal and work life.

Resources. When you are first starting out, keep overhead costs low by utilizing free legal resources. The San Francisco Law Library (1145 Market Street) maintains an extensive text and database collection for conducting legal research. The collection includes print resources of all 50 state codes, texts on a wide range of legal subject areas, professional practice sets, Restatements, law reviews, California and Federal Rutter Group series, and CEB professional practice and Actions guides. Electronic resources include access to Westlaw, Lexis, Shepard's, CEB OnLaw, Fastcase, HeinOnline, PACER, and Fastcase. More information about the library and its available resources can be found here.

Tell the World. Once you are ready to launch your practice, send out announcements to your network letting them know you are open for business. This includes reaching out to family, friends, and professional contacts. Include a description of your new practice, a professional photograph, business address, and contact information.

Apply for the Bay Area Legal Incubator (BALI) Program. BALI is GGU Law's new, two-year, modest-means solo-practice incubator program for attorneys recently admitted to the California Bar. BALI provides extensive support, mentoring, and education on how to successfully operate a low/flat-fee/sliding scale solo or small firm practice that serves the legal needs of the modest means community. Participating attorneys are provided a small stipend for the first six months of the program. BALI applications are due August 24, 2015 by 5:00 pm. Apply through LCDonline under the "LCDonline Jobs" tab. To listen to the Application Information Teleconference, call 641.715.3395 (Code 515791#) reference number - 3#, or download a mp3. The general BALI Information Webinar is posted here. For more information or questions about BALI contact Cynthia Chandler at cchandler@ggu.edu.

The Bare Basics of Networking Events

The following is reposted from the CEB blog, October 15, 2014. This is a post by Elizabeth G. Blust, who is a solo practitioner in San Diego. 
This material is reproduced from the CEBblog™, The Bare Basics of Networking Events (http://blog.ceb.com/2014/10/15/the-bare-basics-of-networking-events/) copyright 2014 by the Regents of the University of California. Reproduced with permission of Continuing Education of the Bar - California. (For information about CEB publications, telephone toll free 1-800-CEB-3444 or visit our Web site, CEB.com).

So you want to attend that networking event at the local bar association but you’ve never done this before? Not to worry. Here are five tips to help you survive that first trek into networking.

GOING SOLO - May 31, 2014

Golden Gate University School of Law
and
 The State Bar of California
present

"GOING SOLO: A Seminar on How to Start a Law Practice"

WHEN: Saturday, May 31, 2014
WHERE: GGU's Campus: 536 Mission Street, San Francisco
COST: Students are FREE; GGU Alumni are $25; non-GGU Alumni are $125
WHAT: The goal of this five-panel event is to educate alumni and law students on developing business skills for building and maintaining a law practice, and to present a positive network-building atmosphere that invites the exchange of ideas and business cards.  Up to 5.5 MCLE credits available.
FOOD: Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
VOLUNTEERS: We need several law student volunteers to help make sure this event runs smoothly! Please email lawcareer@ggu.edu if you are interested in volunteering.
QUESTIONS? Feel free to contact us at 415-442-6625 or lawcareer@ggu.edu.

How To Go At It Alone:Advice For Launching A Solo Practice

by Elana Konstant
Interim Career Counselor

Are you self-motivated and disciplined? Do you want constant direct client contact? Can you run a successful business? If so, then perhaps you would appreciate the challenges and rewards of a solo practice. Many recent graduates are becoming solo practitioners to gain extensive legal experience while retaining control of their schedules and case load. Given the current job crunch, starting a solo practice may be an effective way to make the most of your legal education, your technological abilities and your drive to work hard. However, it is important to realize that functioning as the partner, associate, and office assistant requires incredible confidence, flexibility and ambition.

To help you decide if this career path is right for you, either now or at a later point in your professional life, here are ten things to consider when launching a solo practice:

1. Know Yourself - talk to mentors, supervisors, colleagues and friends about the prospect of creating your own firm in your field of interest. Perform self-assessment techniques to determine whether you would be right in the role of rainmaker / administrator / accountant / attorney.
2. Due Diligence - conducting informational interviews with successful solo practitioners may be the most important action you can take to learn about starting your own practice. Many bar associations have support systems for those in solo practice so use those networking resources.
3. Business Plan and Budget - most lawyers need a crash course in law firm business management to help determine startup costs, capital raising, marketing plans, cash flow projections and fee arrangements. There are a number of CLEs or bar association events that address this topic. By interning or volunteering for a solo attorney or small practice, you can learn business management from the inside.
4. Financial Considerations - ideally, a person starting a solo practice will be in a position financially to support him/herself for at least the first 6 months. Developing a client base, generating income and earning a profit can take longer than expected so be prepared for fluctuations.
5. Type of Business Entity - when establishing your own practice, there are tax and liability implications to examine and consulting with a CPA is advised. Accounting advice will also be helpful regarding financial reporting for income statements, balance sheets, tax preparation and personnel hiring.
6. Insurance Coverage - when launching a solo practice, you likely will need professional liability, business/property and liability coverage, as well potentially worker's compensation. Health insurance costs for yourself and other employees should also be considered.
7. Technological Needs - client documentation, research, and production can be primarily or entirely electronic, allowing for great flexibility and minimized risk. Although there is less overhead for solo practitioners with virtual offices, specific software may be necessary, including programs for case management, calendaring and docketing, billing and document assembly.
8. Marketing - with the advent of Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs and other social networks, getting the word out about your business has never been easier. However, differentiating yourself from others is imperative. Getting involved in pro bono activities, joining trade and legal organizations, being listed on various lawyer referral service panels allows you to meet potential clients while simultaneously developing your name recognition.
9. Work/Life Balance - when you are entirely responsible for all business development, there is a great incentive to always keep working so that you always keep earning. However, this can lead to extreme fatigue and burnout so you want to be sure to pay attention to cues from your body, your mind and your loved ones.
10. Always Be Learning - without the built-in supervision of a firm or partnership, the onus is on you to stay motivated to learn about new legal developments and to share that knowledge with your clients.

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RESOURCES

Books, Publications and Videos
How to Start & Build a Law Practice (5th Ed.), by Jay G. Foonberg (available at LCS)
Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be, by C. Elefant
Opening a Law Office: A Handbook for Starting Your Own Business, CA Young Lawyers Association and the CEB
The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office, CA State Bar
GP Solo: ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division
Start Your Own Law Practice: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success, by Laura P. Valtorta (available for check-out at LCS)

On The Web
www.myshingle.com
www.americanbar.org
www.sba.gov
www.lowbono.org
http://lp.findlaw.com/law-practice-management
http://weilandco.com/manage.html
www.sfbar.org