Law Students

Lawyering and Living for Less: Start a Firm Without Spending a Fortune

By erohne

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It's no secret that the legal job market is in depressingly terrible shape.  Ask any recent or prospective law school graduate about their career plans (if you dare) and you'll hear stories of grads fighting tooth and nail for legal assistant and paralegal positions, planning their return to pre-law jobs, or perfecting their latte-making skills.

But many recent grads are taking a leap and putting their legal skills to work by forming a solo practice.  Starting a firm has many benefits - you can work when and where you want, practice whatever kind of law strikes your fancy, and be your own boss.  However, it also has downfalls - there are seemingly endless start-up costs, you're starting from scratch with no clients and no reputation, and it's a serious gamble that may or may not pay off.

I spoke with Elizabeth Rosar Chermack, a 2009 graduate of William Mitchell College of Law who, after several months of job hunting, decided to start a solo practice.  She talked to me about the challenges of starting a firm on a budget and how she is overcoming them.

Liz cites finding an office that would meet her needs and that she could afford as the most difficult aspect of starting her practice. 

Full post as published by Ms. JD on April 16, 2010 (boomark / email).