We continually hear comments like, "Law School taught me how to be a good lawyer, but I did not learn how to run a practice;" or, "Help, I'm a good lawyer, but a lousy business-person;" or, " I had no idea whatsoever that you had to know some business principles to be successful as a lawyer."
Few Law Schools teach lawyers how to run a law practice. This may not present a major problem if the lawyer is in a medium or large-size firm; but, it is disastrous if the lawyer is "out on their own."
A solo practitioner soon learns that there is more to being a successful lawyer than knowing "the law." Hopefully, they are a quick learner. If not, their lack of business experience may prove quite costly.
But, there is hope (or help) out there !
There are:
- Colleagues, who might be more than willing to convey the benefit of their experience (and failures);
- Courses and classes, such as those that are given by the Small Business Administration; and,
- Some local Bar Associations that periodically conduct programs to teach business skills that are not taught in law schools.
But, some Law Schools (although, not many) do address the problem. One for example was the City University of New York School of Law that conducted a business incubator program. The program was aimed at helping and encouraging new lawyers to go into private practice on their own in communities where there are few lawyers, and where people cannot afford to pay substantial sums for legal services.
The program lasted 18 months, and offered training by experienced practitioners in building a law practice by drumming up business, keeping books and records, and hiring and firing - - things that all solo and small-firm lawyers need to know to survive.
If your local Law School does not offer similar business training, perhaps you could encourage them to do so.
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