Best Resources for Running a Modern, Small Law Firm (2022)
Many lawyers wonder what it would be like to hang up their own shingle. The hardest part is scouring the internet for good resources on where to start.
That’s why we created a curated list of helpful resources for attorneys who are operating their own firm or are contemplating taking the leap.
Here are some resources to inspire you to start the practice of your dreams or simply explore what it’s like to hang up your own shingle:
How to Start a Law Firm
Books
- Solo by Choice by Carolyn Elefant — Carolyn Elefant is the modern authority on solo law firms. Her book provides a comprehensive guide on how to get started and key considerations along the way.
- How to Start and Build a Law Practice — Full disclosure: this ABA favorite is old. The marketing and technology points are outdated. However, it covers some of the basics of getting boots on the ground of your own law firm in a practical and easy-to-understand manner.
Blogs
- My Shingle — Carolyn Elefant’s corresponding blog to her book provides a wealth of free information for solo and small firm attorneys, including:
A video series on how to start a law firm
As well as a video series on what to do in the first 30 days
How to Run a Law Firm
Podcast
- The Law Entrepreneur — This podcast, hosted by Maryland-based estate planning attorney Neil Tyra, focuses on what law school didn’t teach you about running a law firm. His 331+ episodes include a wide and helpful variety of attorneys and experts with helpful advice on how to optimize your law firm.
We’re biased, but we recommend starting with the episode featuring our general counsel Sean Greaney.
- Unbillable Hour Podcast — Hosted by Christopher T. Anderson, this podcast focuses on strategies for managing a law practice, including a monthly virtual roundtable where law firm owners can ask about issues they are facing and get real-time feedback.
- Maximum Lawyer — Tune into the Maximum Lawyer podcast if you are looking to stay on top of the latest trends to maximize your law firm. Focused on growth strategies and hacks for attorneys, it’s a great resource for attorneys looking to scale their practice.
- Legal Toolkit — Armed with potentially the funniest host in the legal podcast landscape, the Legal Toolkit podcast is a thoroughly enjoyable weekly discussion with forward-thinking lawyers to discuss how they have improved their practices with various systems, technologies, and techniques.
Blogs
- Attorney at Work — Providing practical law practice tips daily, this is a great place to read articles about virtually every piece of building, running, and managing a law firm, especially if you are looking for advice about marketing or technology.
- Solo Practice U — This community provides a large library of video courses taught by fellow solo or small law firm practitioners covering everything from substantive law to courses on marketing and management.
Helpful Non-Legal Resources
One of the key takeaways we’ve learned from interacting with amazing small law firm owners is that inspiration from outside the law can lead to big breakthroughs. That’s why we decided to include some top business resources to inspire the entrepreneurial lawyer.
Books
- Atomic Habits — This uber-popular book is great for anyone looking to optimize their productivity. It’s relatable, easy to read, and not boring, even for those who aren’t fans of self-help books.
- Never Eat Lunch Alone — Shy about networking or don’t know where to start? This is a great book full of practical tips on how to get into the mindset of effective networking and how to see the world full of opportunities.
- How to Become a Rainmaker — This book is filled to the brim with simple, easy tips on how to sell more. Lawyers are salesmen whether they like to admit it or not, and this book is a great primer for anyone looking to convert more leads.
- Never Lose a Customer Again — This is an easy-to-read guide on how to create the ultimate client experience. It’s a great read for any legal professional looking for innovative ways to impress clients.
Not sure you’ll have time to read these or prefer audiobooks? Luckily, all of these books are available as audiobooks and most are free with Audible.
Podcasts
- Mindset Mentor — This series of short podcasts aims to motivate and inspire. The host, Rob Dial, blends neurology, neurobiology, psychology, early childhood development, and cognitive behavioral therapy to explain the way your brain and body work together so you can master your mindset.
- School of Greatness & How I Built This — These podcasts provide insightful interviews with entrepreneurs who have built all sorts of businesses. A common theme is how entrepreneurs have overcome large obstacles or failure to reach their goals. These are highly-entertaining podcasts full of practical tips for those looking for entrepreneurial inspiration.
We’ll continue to update this list so let us know if you have found any resources that we should add. Please email any of your favorite resources not listed here to ashley@hyperdraft.ai.
