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How Did You Get Started as a Solo?
I went solo right out of school. I'm a pretty free-spirited individual:
I never much took to authority figures. I had heard from friends who'd
gone into large firms that the politics alone can kill you. Thanks,
but no thanks.
One of My Most Stand-out Cases:
The highlight of my baby career came last October, when I successfully
represented a woman in a bitterly contested divorce case that made
"page 6" style headlines in her native Greece.
It was a classic — nay, Homeric
— tale of love and betrayal: he a wealthy American businessman, she
the loyal, pretty young wife who gave up a blossoming singing career
back home to be with the man she loved, only to discover he was living
a shocking double life. Let me just add that this case took me places
in the imagination I never knew existed. I butted heads for months
with a legal "dream team" of sorts. When it was all over, I emerged
victorious! The couple was divorced, marital assets were divided equitably,
and my client returned home to start her life anew — a wealthier woman,
but emotionally more destitute than when I first met her. Truly, it
was a big fat Greek tragedy.
Got Any Start-up Tips for New Solos?
A few.
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"Skip the research, the Shepardizing,
or the review before a hearing, and you will surely have
your ears pinned back by your opponent"
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First, being a sole practitioner is not my
dream job. It's the only way I think I could ever practice law. It's
a good fit for me because of who I am, but I don't recommend it for
everyone. Before you embark on a solo career in law, ask yourself
whether you can live without a staff; without a mentor in the office
down the hall; and without a 401k or other corporate perks. Most important,
as a solo you have to work harder and always be prepared (because
there's no firm net below to catch you). Skip the research, the Shepardizing,
or the review before a hearing, and you will surely have your ears
pinned back by your opponent. Plus, as a solo you're always "on."
Better be ready to network and promote yourself — because no
one will do it for you. It's not a glamorous job. No Tom Cruise flicks
titled "The Solo" are coming out anytime soon, I can assure you.
What's Your "Networking Secret" (how
do you get business)?
I try to make as many new and interesting friends as possible. My
friends tell their friends about me, who tell their friends about
me, and so on and so on. I'm also involved in a lot of charities.
I find that when my heart is in the right place, a lot of good things
(including legitimate clients) fall into place, quite innocently
and accidentally but very nicely. Sounds corny, but it's true.
Your Hardware/Software of Choice:
I'm a Mac purist. I just bought a zippy new G4. I also have a palm
pilot surgically attached to my hand.
Most Useful Legal Books:
For every day, I rely on Matthew Bender®'s New York rules pamphlets:
primarily the yellow
book (for the Domestic Relations Law and Family Court Act) and
the red
book (for the Civil Practice Laws and Rules). I find them handy
and easy to locate in my crowded little apartment - because of the
brightly colored covers!
Favorite Legal Research Tools:
When I need to dig into a divorce case — say I want to uncover
hidden assets, or learn about someone's debts, or just explore some
deep dark mysterious past — I will sign up for a day or two of
research at www.lexisone.com.
By the way, that's how I learned all about the husband in the divorce
case I told you about earlier. It was actually exciting to use public
records in this way — I got all "the dirt," as it were, in one
session — and this information ultimately spelled victory for
my client (as well as myself). Each case I take comes with its own
special research requirements: sometimes I need public records, other
times I need a second opinion about a New York statute. And I always
have to cite check when I write a brief. When I get a vibe about a
case or my client (or the opposing side) and I have to get all sleuthy,
I just rent out a day or two of research from lexisONE.
It's like
a Blockbuster Video store: I mean, you don't have to buy every movie
you watch. It makes more sense to rent a flick at a time, return it
when it's over, then rent something else you feel like watching another
day. By the way, this helps me manage overhead and billing, too.
Family Profile:
Chica Solo in the city, as they say. I wanna be on HBO!
Would You "Go Solo" Again? Why?
Totally. Like I said, it suits my style.
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