Solo Practitioners and Small Practice Law Firms News and Trends

Stay on top of the latest trends in the small law firms legal market

With the economy causing large law firms to downsize and limit new hires, the odds are that most law school graduates and even practicing lawyers will spend some time as solo practitioners or in small law firms. With that in mind, it is more important than ever that law students, lawyers, and even lay people interested in the law, stay on top of the emerging trends in the solo and small practice field.

Over the past few years, individual legal practice has adapted to accommodate new technology, a shaky economy and an over-influx of lawyers hitting the market. Some of the trends noted by legal journalists include:

1. Solo practitioners and small practice law firms are increasing spending on marketing.

2. Small law firms are leading the charge in moving away from print advertising to Internet sources.

3. Many small law firms are cutting costs by outsourcing legal work.

4. More clients choosing solo law firms over big law firms for lower costs and increased individual attention.

To make sure your solo or small firm law practice has the information and tools to keep up with this changing market, you will need to know where to go for news, informed opinions and reports.

 

Browse online legal newsletters directed towards solo practitioners

Online legal periodicals and newsletters are a handy source for staying abreast of solo practitioners and small practice law firms news and trends. These sites are updated often, if not daily, and are a prime source of information about the issues affecting small or individual practice.
Try: I recommend Law.com for small firm business news. Law.com offers a small firm business newsletter and contains summaries of small firm news stories from legal journals around the country. LexisOne is also a good resource for small law firms and summarizes headline legal news from major newspapers.

Check major legal research websites for small practice law firms news

While the major legal research websites are generally geared towards case law research and other tools for legal professional, most also have a section addressing news and issues confronting small law firms or solo practitioners.
Try: Findlaw links to top legal headlines daily, provides recent case summaries and offers free newsletters in a variety of practice areas. The American Bar Association is an exhaustive resource for an individual law practice or the solo practitioner offering books, email discussion lists and e-newsletters. The American Bar Association's Solosez is especially useful for solo practitioners and small law practices.

Follow solo practitioner and small law practice blogs

The best way to stay on top of solo practitioners and small practice law firms news and trends is to go directly to the source. Many solo legal practitioners maintain blogs which comment and discuss news and trends in the small law firm field.
Try: MyShingle.com is one of the first blogs dedicated to the demands and desires of solos and small law firms. The Solo Practice Trends section is a comprehensive source of information on news and trends in individual practice. The Greatest American Lawyer blog offers a light hearted and humorous approach to solo practice news and trends.

 

• Join individual law practice networking groups or associations that keep their members abreast of the latest news and trends in the field.

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