Solos/Small Firms

The Switch to Smaller

Less cost, more experience lure giants to Lilliput Legal

Sep 2, 2009 1:50 AM CDT

Doing What Felt Right Put Lawyer, 33, at Helm of Own Practice

A little over seven years ago, Tony Jorgensen was getting ready to take the Pennsylvania bar exam after earning his law degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. But on a sudden impulse he hustled home to his native Connecticut on the last possible day to apply to take the bar…

Aug 31, 2009 6:28 PM CDT

Research Finds Skimping on Vacations Is Bad for Your Health

Workaholic lawyers may want to take note of research that suggests skimping on vacations can be bad for your health. Arnold Pallay, the head of Changebridge Medical Associates in Montville, N.J., told the New York Post that the location isn’t important. “The key thing is getting away, hopefully without the…

Aug 31, 2009 3:57 PM CDT

4 New York Lawyers Indicted in Alleged $1.4M Equity-Stripping Scam

Four New York lawyers are among eight individuals indicted in an alleged $1.4 million equity-stripping scheme involving four homeowners in the New York City suburbs. They are accused of having defrauded four Westchester County homeowners and two lenders by purchasing homes from owners facing foreclosure at lowball prices, then taking…

Aug 26, 2009 7:49 PM CDT

A Bumpy Start for New Firm of Laid-Off Lawyers

A boutique law firm formed by laid-off lawyers didn’t last for long. Lawyers Scott Jaffe, Paul Roberts and Ross Schiller planned the new law firm this winter, but by July the boutique was dead, the American Lawyer reports. All of the lawyers had a background in structured finance. Jaffe was…

Aug 26, 2009 3:55 PM CDT

Surburban Lawyers Explain Why Their Firms Are Prospering

Some smaller and suburban law firms in the Minneapolis area are doing better than their big firm counterparts—and location, practice areas, flexibility and lower rates are some of the reasons why. Several lawyers talked about their survival tactics in interviews with Finance and Commerce. In some cases, these firms are…

Aug 12, 2009 4:43 PM CDT

Troutman Lawyers Leave ‘Aircraft Carrier’ to Form Boutique Firm

Lawyer John Mercer says the new six-lawyer Atlanta boutique firm he is establishing will be more like the old Troutman Sanders he joined 31 years ago. Mercer is forming the firm Mercer Thompson with five other Troutman lawyers, according to the Fulton County Daily Report. The new law firm will…

Aug 12, 2009 12:54 PM CDT

Lawyers from the Dissolved Firm WolfBlock Leap to Smaller Firms

Several lawyers from the dissolved law firm WolfBlock have moved to small and midsize law firms. The latest lawyer to make such a move is former WolfBlock senior litigation partner Anthony Twardowski, who handles construction and commercial litigation and some surety bond work, the Legal Intelligencer reports. He is moving…

Aug 12, 2009 11:33 AM CDT

Coroner Investigating Death of Texas Solo, Mother of Saints QB

An Austin, Texas, solo practitioner with a famous son and a controversial business has died, and the coroner’s office is investigating the cause. Lawyer Mina Brees, a former president of the Austin Bar Association, died Friday in Grand County, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Her son is New Orleans Saints quarterback…

Aug 11, 2009 2:17 PM CDT

101-Year-Old Texas Lawyer Named Outstanding Oldest Worker

A 101-year-old Dallas-area lawyer is in his law office at 6:30 every morning, working a full day in his real estate and probate practice. Lawyer Jack Borden’s dedication to hard work has earned him a new honor: outstanding oldest worker for 2009, awarded by the group Experience Works, the Dallas…

Aug 5, 2009 11:58 AM CDT

Trade Secrets

Some solo and small-firm practitioners find clients who can’t pay cash can still pay in trade

Aug 2, 2009 12:30 AM CDT

Flight of the Rainmakers: Big-Firm Lawyers Opt for Boutique Practices

Rainmaker Ronald Schiller’s decision to leave DLA Piper for a litigation boutique was at one time considered a risky move. Schiller, the head of DLA Piper’s Philadelphia litigation practice, is one of seven lawyers leaving the big firm for Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin. He told Bloomberg the new firm…

Jul 31, 2009 2:05 PM CDT

Calif. Lawyer Disbarred Over Jury Vote

In a unanimous decision, the California Supreme Court has disbarred a San Francisco sole practitioner who changed his vote to break a deadlock while serving on a jury, after a monthlong trial and 10 days of deliberation. The solo, Francis Fahy, then compounded his situation by allegedly lying to the…

Jul 23, 2009 9:48 PM CDT

Take Advantage of Association Offerings

The ABA is a clearinghouse of resources to help lawyers deal with life’s realities

Jul 2, 2009 3:50 AM CDT

Not Just for Apartments and Used Guitars

Lawyers say Craigslist is now a viable way to generate business

Jul 2, 2009 1:40 AM CDT