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I'm going to open my own law firm. Currently at a small law firm and absolutely hate it. Any suggestions as I plan the opening of my firm?

What type of practice ?

What do you hate about your current firm ? (If it's the presence of other attorneys, then you're making the right move.)

Office sharing should be considered.

OP here. Practice will be bankruptcy and foreclosure defense. I currently represent creditors in bankruptcy (and was a bankruptcy law clerk previously), so it seems like the normal course. I hate the "fictitious" stress of my firm. For example, the one partner always imposes these deadlines on me and then never looks at the item until much, much later. Or he will fail to assign me something until last minute (when I know he knew about it earlier because he told me about it, I asked if I could help, he told me no, then assigns it to me a week later) and needs it immediately. He is also big on my working every weekend and every holiday even when I've sat in my office with nothing to do all week. Then I combine that with the fact that I get no origination percentage (cannot even list myself as originating because I'm not a partner), no bonuses, and no partnership criteria. There really is no motivation to stay here. As for an office, I'm considering a virtual office where I can use the conference room to meet with clients ($200/m) but I would definitely consider office sharing if the virtual office doesn't work for any reason.

If entering a bankruptcy practice, you will need an assistant or paralegal to handle calls & paperwork. If you are in a city with a paralegal school, you should consider hiring a current student or recent graduate. The only debtor bankruptcy firm that I am familiar with is always in need of assistants & paralegals to handle the routine, but voluminous, busy work.

Dude, just lateral to another law firm and get some more experience in a better environment. If you're actually turning to TLS for advice on how to start your own law firm, then you're not ready to start your own law firm.

OP here. I am trying to have a conversation about starting a law firm to see what ideas others may have. I have plenty of my own ideas and just looking to expand on mine. More information and ideas never hurt. I am more than ready to start my own firm. Lateraling to another firm won't solve my issues because there is always another asshole.

Shared office is the way to go. Several of my friends w/ small (albeit tech) businesses swear by them - great way to generate business, and affordable.

The bigger issue, how much capital do you have? And for how long can you survive w/ limited (or no) revenue?

If OP is willing to represent debtors, then there should be an immediate flow of clients. Consider debtor's rights representation under the FDCPA in addition to bankruptcy & foreclosure matters (since this federal statute includes attorney's fees).

OP here. I will definitely add FDCPA to my business. I haven't done much of it to this point (except counsel creditor's from violating it), but I agree it's a good thing to learn just to fully support clients. As for capital, I have savings for start up costs like a computer, bankruptcy software, printer, business cards, flyers, website, etc. As for my living expenses, my husband works and if we live frugally we can live on his salary until I can contribute income. Based on the bankruptcy market in my area, I anticipate a moderate amount of business fairly quickly once I'm marketing to my desired clientele.

I'm sure you're already thinking about this, but your costs will include stuff that your firm currently pays for, such as professional liability insurance and bar dues.

Yup, I'm including those costs. And I'm stockpiling CLEs while I'm still at the firm, so I'll be good on those for a year or so.