LAW 591 - Small and Solo Law Firm Practice

The course is designed to assist students in making the transition from law student to legal professional and small business owner of a solo or small law firm. Topics covered in this seminar include, but are not limited to, the following: identifying areas of practice; attracting and maintaining good clients; client intake and interviewing; client relations; marketing your legal services; establishing a good reputation; acquiring and maintaining staff; team building, training and mentoring expectations; internal law office operations and management; computer technology; social media protocol; setting, charging and collecting fees; time keeping and billing; the billable hour; contingency fees; managing trust accounts; ethical issues pertaining to solo and small firms; risk management (avoiding malpractice claims); and health, wellness, and quality of life. Students will develop a business plan suitable for obtaining financing, setting goals, providing direction, and integrating their personal values, passion, and purpose to create a practice that serves their lives. Final grades are determined by a combination of completion of a business plan, class participation, group work and written assignments.