'Involuntary Law Firms' Turn to Outsourcing for Business Help
The tight job market for lawyers is forcing more of them to start their own law firms, boosting the outlook for individuals and companies that help with the business aspects of a law practice.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports on the trend and cites anecdotal evidence that more lawyers are striking out on their own.
“I call these involuntary small law firms,” Julie Schaefer, a human resources consultant who works with lawyers, told the newspaper.
Business is booming for Executive Suites of Minnesota. Wayne Freeman, whose family runs the business, said the company has rented real and virtual space to 27 small and solo law firms in the past year and a half. “We’ve noticed a definite uptick in solo practitioners and small firms,” he told the Star-Tribune.
Lawyer marketing coach Terrie Wheeler now has 250 online clients who pay $750 to $1,250 a year for her services. She also offers in-person consulting for $10,000 to $12,000 a year, according to the newspaper. “Law schools don’t train lawyers to be businesspeople,” she observed.
