The Time Is Ripe For Solo And Small Law Firms

There are plenty of potential silver linings for law firms due to the global pandemic. But one that will have long lasting effects is the ease of starting your own solo  or small law firm. No doubt many lawyers considered opening their own firm. But the then assumed high fixed costs made it challenging. With attorneys and clients now more comfortable with connecting online and using technology to address legal issues, the time is ripe. Many changes are now adopted and the norm is decidedly different than pre-pandemic practice.

Change in Behavior

For attorneys, working with clients remotely on open cases drove some creativity for many not used to relying on technology. Finding new clients virtually was a necessity. And for many, still is. Some say the pandemic forced attorneys and law firms to adapt. And based on what we see, it's true. Many firms had attempted to adopt technology but gave up because it wasn't a necessity. Sure, they saw the benefits. But the approach was definitely 'if it's not broken, why fix it.' Now the world has changed. If there is one thing that drives service providers to change it's when their target client requests something different. And that change has been there for a while. 

For clients, if there was an open legal issue during the pandemic, there was no choice but to find a way to work with their attorney to resolve it. Some people waited to take up any legal issue during the pandemic. They put off starting cases either due to uncertainty in their employment and income or concern over the pandemic itself. Some areas of law were affected more than others. However, the lull in demand for attorneys experienced in March through July 2020 rebounded. Some areas of law have fully rebounded if not grown since then.  The reality is if someone has a legal issue, they must resolve it. So it may be a timing issue, but overall, demand is not as affected in the legal profession as in other areas. But not all law firms experienced the rebound. But that's a different blog. Suffice it to say, clients have been looking for ways to work with attorneys in a way that is more interactive.

Clients had to move their lives online, just as attorneys. So everyone became more comfortable with technology. And let's face it. Clients are generally more open to technology to do things than law firms. Even attorneys in their individual lives are likely more open to technology than their law firms are. So what has been rapid adoption of technology for everything from watching TV to having 'zoom happy hour' evolved to being open to using tech for even more things. And clients like the benefits. The pace of the continuing evolution of client demands picked up as a result of the pandemic. Law firms that work with clients, providing greater visibility,  accountability, and online connectivity actually grew during the pandemic. 

Changes in Circumstance

A law firm had to provide an office. And there had to be some sort of receptionist. Of course, an office needs a phone system, desks, a small kitchen, and the list goes on and on. Boy, has that changed. None of those presume fixed-cost items need to be there anymore. So opening your own law firm, or partnering with another attorney or two to open a firm, is a lot more manageable. An entirely remote firm is a real option now. Sure you need technology but those costs are much lower than the full office experience. If you do want an office, there are plenty of co-working locations these days, too. Certain precautions need to be taken if you choose to use those, specifically around client privacy and data protection, but they are a great option if you want or need to meet a client in person and the local coffee shop just doesn't work.

Advances in technology continue. Law firms can work together on a shared platform. Leads can be brought in, managed, and cases opened, all from the comfort of your 'home office' whether that's an office in your home or your kitchen table. Hold client meetings virtually, too, if you want the 'face to face' experience. Documents can be sent and received and signed, tracked the whole time, using technology, too. An entire case can be managed and documents filed without printing out a single piece of paper, at least in many courts. The possibilities are endless. And all with a very reasonable price tag that is far less than the once presumed required law office.

Opening your own law firm, whether solo or small, carries far less financial pressure these days. Clients want and search for law firms that use technology to give them the visibility and accountability they want. The game has forever changed.