Solo Practitioners and Small Practice Law Firms Education and Training

Understand the process of becoming a solo practitioner
By Sandy Baker Solo practitioners and small practice law firms education and training starts with an initial degree. With a bachelor's degree, individuals can then pursue law school. Most law schools are difficult to get into and often only take the top performing students.
 

Individuals interested in operating as solo practitioners and small practice law firms may also want to consider building a business management background. This will enable them to be prepared for managing their own firms. In addition, keep the following in mind:

1. Plan to be a solo practitioner from the beginning by taking courses with a strong reading, writing and legal background, even as an undergraduate.

2. Further education during the summer working within small practice law firms as a clerk.

3. Apprentice with other solo practitioners to learn the legal business.

Get a law degree prior to individual law practice

Law schools require students to spend their first three years learning the foundations of the legal system. Students study contracts, constitutional law and property law during these years. In their final years in law school, they may focus on a specific area of their choice. A solo legal practitioner may have a general law business or a specialized one.
Try: Obtain education from top law schools in the country to prepare for a solo law practice. Harvard Law School is one of the country's leading law schools. Students can later earn an advanced law degree from Harvard. Cornell University Law School is another option. This elite school is small, with an average class size of just 11 students.

Become licensed to be part of a small practice law firm

To work for large or small law firms, individuals must be licensed attorneys. To obtain a license, students must sit for a two-day bar exam. This state-issued licensing exam allows students to receive their Juris Doctor, or JD, license. Preparing for this test is often difficult, though courses may help with preparations.
Try: Ensure qualifications for the Juris Doctor exam are complete by checking state exam requirements. The New York State Board of Law Examiners offers a guide to requirements. Study for the bar exam through various review programs. Kaplan offers a bar review. Courses are specialized per state. Small law practices may allow for apprenticeships prior to licensing. This can be another way for a student to gain necessary knowledge in preparation for the bar exam.

Develop a small law firm

To develop a small legal practice, individuals need to gain small business education and management experience. There are various resources for aiding individuals in running their own business. In addition, individuals may wish to focus on methods to develop a strong client base prior to establishing their solo law firm.
Try: Learn to manage a business prior to running a small law practice. The United States Small Business Administration provides excellent resources on starting a business. This includes financial help and business plan formation. Solo legal practitioners need to learn to market their businesses. Various online resources such as Kane Consulting can help. This blog provides attorneys with methods to marketing their businesses. The Attorney Marketing Center is another blog designed to help attorneys grow their businesses.