So, youâre a new lawyer or youâre new to practicing solo. Youâve got your game plan. Now what? First, know that youâre not âalone. Itâs the fastest growing segment of the legal profession. Welcome to New Solo here on the Legal Talk Network, where youâll learn a lot about practicing law. SOLO!
Site
RSS
Apple
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Discover shows related to New Solo, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Ernie The Attorney: A Tech Whisperer Shares His Legal Tech Secrets
Season 1 ¡ Episode 141
Monday, September 30, 2024 ⢠Duration 58:40
Get the most out of todayâs tech products that are specifically created to save you time on the mundane stuff so you can focus on getting results for your clients. Guest Ernie âThe Attorneyâ Svensonâs biz tech consulting firm helps small and solo firms apply tech solutions without being overwhelmed and learn the â80/20 Rule,â getting more output with less input. Â
When it comes to efficiencies, automation plays a big role. In a solo or small firm, resources come at a premium. Learn to reduce wasted input through standardized, repeatable operating procedures and automation. (There are even tech products that help you create written standard processes learning from and organizing the work youâre already doing).Â
Imagine speaking into an app as you âbrain dumpâ and having those thoughts come out organized and notated for later use. Imagine dictating legal work into an app and having AI organize your dictation, even correct it. You donât need to type everything in todayâs tech world. Maximize downtime.  Â
Itâs all about training yourself to think âautomation first.â Even when a virtual assistant (VA) located in another country can fill gaps in your practice, learn your preferences, match your brand, and help you be your most efficient you without hiring a full-tie employee. Todayâs most successful law firms are high-tech hubs. Donât let fear of the unknown hold you back.Â
Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com Â
Topics:
Thereâs no reason for a solo practitioner or small firm not to engage in todayâs tech. Leverage technology to get a lot of results without a lot of effort. Learn how the â80/20 Ruleâ helps you get more done with less effort.
 If youâre a lawyer, time spent marketing is time spent not lawyering. Automation can perform repeatable marketing tasks (even social media, newsletters, and referral marketing) to help you bring in new business while you focus on results for your clients.
 Virtual assistants, or VAs, are remote workers, often in another country, who can perform the routine tasks that are eating up your time while you focus on practicing law.
Mentioned in This Episode:
ABA Techshow
Loom
Zoom Clips
Otter.ai
Fireflies.ai
Letterly
CleftÂ
Windows dictation
Text ExpanderÂ
â8 Great TextExpander AlternativesâÂ
FancyHandsÂ
Lawclerk legal assistants
Perplexity.ai
New From Clio: Legal Practice Management Including Legal Accounting
Season 1 ¡ Episode 140
Thursday, August 29, 2024 ⢠Duration 44:59
Clio, the longtime, long-trusted software tech provider for lawyers, has plunged into the accounting game. Time and case management, billing, payments, and simply keeping track of your bottom line all take up time when you could be doing something else, like, you know, serving your clientsâ needs.Â
Now Clio has baked that accounting service directly into its practice management software package.Â
Frankly, attorneys â especially new solo practitioners â may have been taught very little about running a business. Being a good lawyer is only part of the game. Lawyers also need to know how to manage money and accounting. Thatâs where software and money management programs can help, including tax prep, accounting for ongoing work in anticipation of payment, capital distributions, and handling funds your clients have entrusted you with. Â
Hear why legal-specific accounting is so important (hint, legal accounting is not like any other accounting, and mistakes can truly hurt your practice). Plus, the top five features that must be part of any legal accounting platform.Â
Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com Â
Topics:
Law schools and legal training may overlook the importance of accounting for a new law firm. Itâs not intuitive. Hear how legal practice management firm Clio is incorporating legal-specific accounting functions into its platform
Practicing law is what you signed up for, but managing money is what will keep your firm running. Never forget, your firm is a business that depends on accounting.
Tax management, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow management are not only crucial, but very weirdly specific in the world of legal accounting.
Mentioned in This Episode:
ClioÂ
Clio Accounting and Demo
2024 Legal Trends for Solo and Small Law Firms
New Solo, âOh, The Messes We SeeâÂ
New Solo, âMoney Management 101 for Solo and Small Firm ProfessionalsâÂ
New Solo, âWinning The Battle: When Itâs Time To âModernizeâ But Thereâs One HoldoutâÂ
cpnLEGAL
Affinity Consulting
Joshuaâs Previous Appearances on Legal Talk Network:
New Solo, âHIPAA Happens, But Compliance Software Can Helpâ
On Balance: âInsights on Clioâs 2023 Legal Trends Report with Joshua Lenonâ
Out Of School And Hanging A Shingle? Build Your Brand!
Season 1 ¡ Episode 131
Thursday, November 16, 2023 ⢠Duration 38:20
Personal injury attorney Joshua âJoshâ Bonnici left his first job out of law school to launch his own firm. Starting from scratch, just nine months later he hired his first employee and has been growing ever since. Bonnici built on his own love of cycling to focus on bicycle accidents and injuries, helping bicyclists in the bustling city of San Diego.
Now heâs known as âThe Bike Guyâ and stands out in the crowded personal injury field by specializing in an area heâs passionate about. Heâs an example of specializing in something you love, and heâs sharing his story with new lawyers just starting out.
Bonnici walks us through, step by step, how he took advantage of an available incubator system, learned on the job from a mentor, and built his practice and his reputation. Hear how he got started, networked, built a brand, made himself memorable, and hired an assistant to make himself more productive. Real lessons from real life.Â
Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com Â
Topics:
âFollow your passionâ is common advice. But in the case of guest Josua Bonnici, his passion for bicycling helped him stand out in the crowded personal injury field.Â
Hiring your first employee. Why itâs scary and why itâs necessary.
How to develop a website and social media presence with a library of videos and testimonials.Â
Â
Resources:
California Lawyers Association
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
San Diego Bar Association
Â
Joshua Bonnici previous appearance on Legal Talk Networkâs âOn The Roadâ podcast
CRM: Using Client Relationship Management in Your Law Firm
Season 1 ¡ Episode 42
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 ⢠Duration 41:23
Client Relationship Management, or CRM, is a strategy implemented in business to maintain effective knowledge about and connections with your current, previous, and potential clients. Using technology, employees are able to nurture relationships with their clients by tracking conversions and setting notifications. But many lawyers, especially solos and small firm lawyers, arenât using CRMs; they donât know the potential value of these systems or even what they are. So why should attorneys bother learning about CRMs?
In this episode of New Solo, Adriana Linares discusses CRMs with Michael Chasin, co-founder and CEO of Lexicata, a law firm CRM and client intake software. Michael talks about the foundation of Lexicata and how it has helped many lawyers find and convert leads. He then explains how CRMs can help solo and small firm lawyers with client intake as well as marketing. By touching base with potential clients, we can create a positive, brag-worthy experience. In this way, clients will return with future legal needs and can also become great referral sources. Michael discusses how the right CRM can automate a significant part of this process, making your client feel attended to without taking up too much of your time. He finishes the podcast by talking about how lawyers should go about choosing the right CRM to build a foundation for the future of their solo practices.
Michael Chasin is CEO of Lexicata, a CRM and client intake software designed to help law firms and lawyers increase client satisfaction. Michael is also co-founder of both LawKick.com and Lexicata.com. He has his B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina, and his J.D./M.B.A. from Loyola Law School.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Solo Practice University and Clio.
New Trends in Practice Management
Season 1 ¡ Episode 41
Friday, July 1, 2016 ⢠Duration 24:33
Starting your own law firm can be a daunting task for any solo attorney. What new trends will help you manage your practice and how can you harness available technology to better communicate with your clients?
In this episode of The New Solo, host Adriana Linares speaks with Clio CEO Jack Newton, who shares what he believes are two big trends in practice management. Jack discusses client portals and lists the benefits, such as document management and security, that having a collaborative way to communicate directly with your clients provides. He analyzes the advantages that leveraging this technology gives law firms and the convenience it provides lawyers and consumers of legal services. He also talks about campaign tracking which enables law firms to track their marketing channels and determine what kind of return on investment they are receiving from those endeavors.
Jack briefly touches on the 2016 Clio Cloud Conference and says this yearâs event will focus on helping lawyers take their practices to the next level by embracing the cloud.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Solo Practice University and Clio.
Top Tips for Attorneys from the 2017 ABA TECHSHOW Board
Season 1 ¡ Episode 40
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 ⢠Duration 33:27
As attorneys graduate and head into the legal marketplace, or leave a law firm to start a solo practice, it can be hard to know where to find resources with tips on starting your new career. What are the most important things that a newly solo practitioner should know? What are some best practices for lawyers just starting out in the field?
In this episode of The New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks with the ABA TECHSHOW 2017 Planning Board to provide need to know advice for newly solo attorneys. This yearâs TECHSHOW board consists of Barbara Leach Law PL. Managing Attorney Barbara Leach, Avvo Director of Industry Relations Dan Lear, OâMelveny & Myers Senior Manager of Technology and Development Ivan Hemmans, and Downey Law Group LLC. Founder Michael Downey. Michael emphasizes that small firms and solo attorneys should focus heavily on their cash flow. Dan states that legal professionals can view their businesses through three different mediums, the balance sheet, income statements, or cash flow. The amount of money coming in each month (and how you pay your expenses) is very relevant to the survival of a new business. Barbara encourages solo lawyers to establish their brand immediately and really determine what type of lawyer theyâd like to be and what type of clients theyâd like to attract. Michael accentuates the amount of credibility strong branding provides to a new attorney and gives insights into the steps he took to create his own brand. Ivan discusses the necessity of thoroughly learning Microsoft Word and the benefits of document organization. The group then closes the interview with an analysis of basic tech competencies, like email management, that all attorneys should master.
Ivan Hemmans is the Manager of Technology Development and Communications at OâMelveny & Myers LLP where he uses his extensive experience with information technology to help people find ways to solve everyday problems with the many available tools at their disposal. Ivan often speaks about legal technology at law firms and conferences. He writes a blog and occasionally for legal technology publications like Peer to Peer Magazine.
Barbara Leach is the managing attorney of Barbara Leach Law, PL. She is a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar Association, the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Barbara received her BA from the Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College and obtained her juris doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law.
Michael Downey is a legal ethics lawyer and a founding member of the Downey Law Group LLC. He has tried civil and lawyer discipline cases and argued appeals before the Missouri Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and Illinois ARDC Review Board. Michael received his B.A. from Georgetown University and his juris doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
Dan Lear is a technology lawyer and the Avvo Director of Industry Relations. He is the co-founder of the Seattle Legal Technology and Innovation MeetUp and founder of the Right Brain Law blog. Dan received his BA in international studies from Brigham Young University and his juris doctorate and MBA from Seattle University.
How Ernie the Attorney Started His Solo Practice
Season 1 ¡ Episode 39
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 ⢠Duration 30:58
Among solo practitioners, Ernest âErnie the Attorneyâ Svenson is well-known for consulting on technology and, specifically, going paperless. But what many lawyers donât know is how Ernie transitioned from a commercial litigator in a big New Orleans law firm to a tech savvy solo. In this episode of New Solo, learn all about how Ernieâs experience practicing in a big firm and Hurricane Katrina led him to go solo. He talks with Adriana Linares about using technology and automation to lower his overhead for an increased chance of success and, quite frankly, happiness. Adriana and Ernie then discuss the more difficult aspects of transitioning to a solo practice including loneliness, retaining clients, and wanting a paralegal. No longer a practicing attorney, Ernie talks about why he decided to become a technology consultant for other solo and small firm lawyers. If youâre planning to go out on your own, tune in for some tips that might make the difference.
Ernest Svenson, also known as âErnie the Attorney,â practiced commercial litigation for 26 years in a big firm in New Orleans. After starting his own solo practice, he switched to consulting other lawyers on computers, going paperless, and automating tasks.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Solo Practice University.
Sharing Office Space, Equipment, and Employees
Season 1 ¡ Episode 38
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 ⢠Duration 27:50
In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares stops by the shared offices of Barbara Leach and Conti Moore. Together they discuss the cost savings, benefits, and logistics of splitting office resources. Through mutual trust, compromise, and similar views on work-life balance, these lawyers are achieving the strengths of partnership without losing the privilege of being the boss. Tune in to hear how they did it and why you should consider this practice model.
Barbara Leach is a solo practitioner in central Florida who, after launching her career with a large national law firm, sought a closer connection to her community and greater interaction with clients. She took the leap to establish her own firm in 2011. Since then, the firm has continuously grown, and Barbara finds herself right where she hoped to be: face-to-face with her clients and practicing in bankruptcy, family law, foreclosure, and litigation.
Conti Moore is the founder of small firm Conti Moore, PLLC where she practices in family law, criminal defense, personal injury, and business law. She has been recognized by the National Bar Association and Impact as one of the Nationâs Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 and was presented with their Excellence in Service Award for her unyielding commitment to community service. Conti has bar admission in Florida, Nevada, and the U.S. District Court of Nevada.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Solo Practice University.
T.V. Advertising: What to Expect
Season 1 ¡ Episode 37
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 ⢠Duration 25:13
Although television commercials seem too expensive for a solo practiceâs marketing budget, they are not! In fact, advertising on T.V. can be a great alternative or addition to an online marketing campaign, as long as itâs done correctly. So what should solos expect with these ads and how can we optimize the return on investment?
In this episode of New Solo, Adriana Linares and Jason Marsh interview Conti Moore, a small firm lawyer with a successful television commercial, about the process and price of creating her ad, airing it, and tracking its success.
Included in this episode:
TV network âspotsâ and your target audience
Measuring success and tweaking television shows
Slow start and a long term commitment
Production company costs and benefits
Creating fresh content and cycling locations
Customizing your airtime package
Choosing a niche area of law for the highest ROI
Contiâs words of advice from the experience
Conti Moore practices primarily family law and criminal defense at Conti Moore Law, PLLC, in Orlando, Florida. She has been recognized by the National Bar Association and Impact as one of the Nationâs Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40. Additionally, the National Bar Association and Impact presented Ms. Moore with the coveted Excellence in Service Award in recognition of her unyielding commitment to community service.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Solo Practice University.
Automate Your Solo Practice: Part 2
Season 1 ¡ Episode 36
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 ⢠Duration 33:22
In the previous episode of New Solo, Adriana Linares interviewed Andrew LeGrand, a lawyer who has a largely automated practice, about Text Expansion and forms to increase efficiency for lawyers. Because automation is such an enormous topic, Adriana invited Andrew back to discuss more in-depth systems and tools to avoid wasting time on menial tasks and improve accuracy, consistency, and professionalism. Does it seem too good to be true?
Tune in for automation suggestions for lawyers at any level of tech-savviness. Topics include:
Web automation to replace support staff tasks
Clio as a practice management program
Integration with Zapier
Consistent labels and tagging for easy categorization search
Doodle calendar that talks to Gmail
Web forums and customer relationship management (CRM)
Google Scripting and Google Apps for Work
How much the tools cost
Forms rule certification
In the end, Andrew emphasizes, just knowing these options are out there is important and powerful.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Solo Practice University.
