\
  The most prestigious law school admissions discussion board in the world.
BackRefresh Options Favorite

3 years as a solo--here are my numbers

Legal experience prior to going solo: 4 years sh!t law; 4 ye...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/23/22
this may be a retarded question, but are the net amounts pos...
Transparent dopamine quadroon
  05/23/22
No, this is pre-tax. However, my taxable amount is much lowe...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/23/22
looks good. a solo told me to look for significant jumps eve...
Aphrodisiac theater
  05/23/22
It's decent, considering how toxic firm life is. I could gro...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/23/22
...
Ivory church building immigrant
  05/25/22
How do you find clients
Pink half-breed nowag
  05/23/22
Pre-covid I had pens and calendars printed and handed it out...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/23/22
...
Pink half-breed nowag
  05/23/22
...
contagious mad-dog skullcap
  05/23/22
a) Why do you have 2 websites; b) Why does it cost so muc...
Flirting razzle antidepressant drug
  05/23/22
I have 2 websites with 2 different SEOs. One website emphasi...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/24/22
...
razzmatazz institution
  05/24/22
no kids? then seems fine
Diverse olive gunner
  05/24/22
...
Silver bawdyhouse weed whacker
  05/24/22
nnnnnnnn
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/25/22
>Malpractice ins: none go on...
red turdskin crackhouse
  05/24/22
I went without it for a few years when my rate would have be...
galvanic jew circlehead
  05/26/22
not afraid of being sued, or figure ur not going to be sued ...
red turdskin crackhouse
  05/26/22
I was going to be charged a full-time premium based on a shi...
galvanic jew circlehead
  05/26/22
describe who filed a claim against you pls
red turdskin crackhouse
  05/26/22
It was a case where we represented an entity that thought we...
galvanic jew circlehead
  05/26/22
What kind of small business transactions do you do
Chestnut stock car cuckold
  05/24/22
...
odious flushed area
  05/24/22
Closings, contracts, review K, partnership paper work, incor...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/24/22
…….
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/25/22
similar to mine but I do some litigation (but nothing compli...
Electric public bath sneaky criminal
  05/25/22
How useful was ur pre solo experience to doing all this
Chestnut stock car cuckold
  05/26/22
30% useful—from the private practice experience. Govt...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/26/22
Pro tip - if your local probate court has a system where you...
Electric public bath sneaky criminal
  05/26/22
You're fucking insane to do estate planning and general busi...
Brass cuckoldry
  05/26/22
cr
swollen cerebral space shitlib
  05/27/22
...
Pink half-breed nowag
  05/27/22
180 man
Chrome bespoke parlor
  05/25/22
4 hour day today.
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/26/22
No malpractice insurance? Wow
Drab spectacular roast beef stain
  05/25/22
if ur state doesnt require it then why bother, its flame. it...
Low-t Parlour French Chef
  05/27/22
Your practice is one that this attitude probably works for. ...
Brass cuckoldry
  05/27/22
180
Orchid scourge upon the earth pervert
  05/25/22
No malpractice insurance would keep me up at night. What kin...
Mauve blood rage point
  05/26/22
shit/mid law and government. My cases aren't high value or c...
Greedy Lavender Round Eye
  05/26/22
pussy, then u arent ready for solo.. grow some balls faggot
Low-t Parlour French Chef
  05/27/22
Are you chadly and fratty and aloof and alpha?
Irradiated Lemon Legend
  05/26/22
I'll play. Legal experience prior to going solo: 6 years ...
bearded ruddy location dingle berry
  05/27/22
You bill ~$310?
galvanic jew circlehead
  05/27/22
between $300 and $600 depending on the client
bearded ruddy location dingle berry
  05/27/22
well done
Diverse olive gunner
  05/27/22
For me from what I remember, my first nine months I made 10k...
Low-t Parlour French Chef
  05/27/22
PI?
Dull wonderful community account piazza
  05/27/22
i'm hoping to crack $700K this year, but my expenses are cra...
irate curious rehab people who are hurt
  05/28/22
WTF are you spending the money on?
galvanic jew circlehead
  05/28/22
...
Irradiated Lemon Legend
  05/28/22
Doctor Kickbacks: ($600,000)
swollen cerebral space shitlib
  05/28/22


Poast new message in this thread



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 10:42 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

Legal experience prior to going solo: 4 years sh!t law; 4 years govt.

Location: NY/NJ/CT

Lol school: top 50

Solo practice area: RE/small business transactions and the occasional crim coverage

Overhead: 12K/year for rent (small office within a larger office; shared concierge); ~5k misc. and another 7-8K to other attorneys for coverage/assistance.

Subscriptions: none. If I need to do heavy research/write a motion I just outsource to one or two sad sack solo who can't find clients if their life depended on it. I pay them about $75/hour.

Malpractice ins: none

Work week: billables, not sure--I'm mostly flat-fee; but I work about 25-30 hrs a week

First 12 months: 126K gross; 92K* net (I spent a lot on advertising, computers, and profit sharing with other attorneys. etc)

Month 13-24: 138k gross; ~ 110-113k* net

Month 25-36: 165k gross; -140k* net

*I take in cash every now and then; $100 to $200 for consults, $500 here and there for quick work like reviewing a K, etc. I pocket these and don't keep track of them.

Thoughts? I'd like to make more $ but I do like the flexibility and light workload. I work 4 days a week and pretty much take off whenever I want.....

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562147)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 10:43 PM
Author: Transparent dopamine quadroon

this may be a retarded question, but are the net amounts post tax

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562153)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:01 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

No, this is pre-tax. However, my taxable amount is much lower; there's more room for creativity when you're not a W2 employee.

I should add that the above gross are what I collected. My collection rate is about 80-85%. I’ve written the other 15% off, but just when I think a client will never pay the balance I get a surprise Venmo or Zelle payment

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562258)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 10:59 PM
Author: Aphrodisiac theater

looks good. a solo told me to look for significant jumps every 3 years. that was the case for 4x, but probably will not happen outside of increase in rates as ive gone to taking in less work. i hope you are satisfied with your income. whether its good really depends on COL.

solo 14+ years

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562247)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:06 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

It's decent, considering how toxic firm life is. I could grow if I picked up an associate, but I don't want to be responsible for another person.

I had a loose profit-sharing relationship with another lawyer for a few months and I felt I was being judged re what time I came in, how much work I put in, etc. I like the guilt-free lazy days that being solo provides.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562291)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 12:21 AM
Author: Ivory church building immigrant



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44568965)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:07 PM
Author: Pink half-breed nowag

How do you find clients

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562302)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:23 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

Pre-covid I had pens and calendars printed and handed it out to small businesses; joined SBAs; FB and Google ads, referrals from other Atty’s etc.. I dropped close to $8k I believe, plus 100+ hours networking and doing guest-speaking year 1.

My FB page is at ~4,600 people.

I stopped advertising around month 12, except for the occasional article and FB post plus ~$600 a year to keep 2 websites going. A large chunk of my clients the last 2 years have been referrals from former clients.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562382)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:25 PM
Author: Pink half-breed nowag



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562391)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:31 PM
Author: contagious mad-dog skullcap



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562416)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 23rd, 2022 11:41 PM
Author: Flirting razzle antidepressant drug

a) Why do you have 2 websites;

b) Why does it cost so much to keep them running?

c) What was your strategy for increasing your FB page? My has remained stagnant at 400 for a long time.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562468)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 6:27 AM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

I have 2 websites with 2 different SEOs. One website emphasizes the business-lawyer services and another focuses on crim and wills, RE closing etc. with email addresses and the occasional Google ads it runs about 600 a year.

The FB is a combo of friending local business owners and from likes generated by my FB ads…. I don’t use FB for social stuff…. If I can’t make money off of it I don’t post it.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44563144)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 4:31 AM
Author: razzmatazz institution



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562994)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 4:36 AM
Author: Diverse olive gunner

no kids? then seems fine

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44562996)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 5:25 AM
Author: Silver bawdyhouse weed whacker



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44563053)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 9:58 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

nnnnnnnn

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44574293)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 6:58 AM
Author: red turdskin crackhouse

>Malpractice ins: none

go on...

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44563167)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 6:00 PM
Author: galvanic jew circlehead

I went without it for a few years when my rate would have been $9k/year.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44579644)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 6:03 PM
Author: red turdskin crackhouse

not afraid of being sued, or figure ur not going to be sued if u dont have it?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44579660)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 8:40 PM
Author: galvanic jew circlehead

I was going to be charged a full-time premium based on a shitty prior malpractice claim (that we won), even though I was only working part-time. So I figured the premium wasn't worth it. I would have paid a more reasonable amount.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580402)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 9:22 PM
Author: red turdskin crackhouse

describe who filed a claim against you pls

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580677)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 11:06 PM
Author: galvanic jew circlehead

It was a case where we represented an entity that thought we colluded (for inexplicable reasons) with an executive of the entity to the supposed detriment of the entity. We didn't. There wasn't.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581413)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 7:55 AM
Author: Chestnut stock car cuckold

What kind of small business transactions do you do

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44563215)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 10:33 AM
Author: odious flushed area



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44563752)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 24th, 2022 11:57 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

Closings, contracts, review K, partnership paper work, incorporations, and general litigation (pre trial; if it ever goes to trial I have someone on standby to take over--and my retainer agreement specifies that)



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44568862)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 4:15 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

…….

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44572504)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 9:59 PM
Author: Electric public bath sneaky criminal

similar to mine but I do some litigation (but nothing complicated). plus probate and now some PI.

I made about $2500 today

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44574304)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 6:05 PM
Author: Chestnut stock car cuckold

How useful was ur pre solo experience to doing all this

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44579671)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 6:23 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

30% useful—from the private practice experience. Govt work was useless—nothing transferable there. The other 70% I learned along the way.

For estate/wills I built up my template by “reviewing” people’s wills/docs prepared by other attorneys. I scanned them and just re-typed them to get an idea of how it should flow. Then gave them some counseling re keeping it updated, in a safe place, etc. lol. Same for POAs.

The forms in Westlaw wasn’t that helpful—too generic and not necessarily geared towards NY practice.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44579745)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 8:39 PM
Author: Electric public bath sneaky criminal

Pro tip - if your local probate court has a system where you can look up online filings, there are a treasure trove of wills you can collect.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580396)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 11:13 PM
Author: Brass cuckoldry

You're fucking insane to do estate planning and general business lit without malpractice insurance. Hope it didn't bite you.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581456)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 1:08 AM
Author: swollen cerebral space shitlib

cr

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581957)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 10:16 AM
Author: Pink half-breed nowag



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44583218)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 4:19 PM
Author: Chrome bespoke parlor

180 man

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44572528)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 5:55 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

4 hour day today.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44579620)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 4:23 PM
Author: Drab spectacular roast beef stain

No malpractice insurance? Wow

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44572564)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 1:04 AM
Author: Low-t Parlour French Chef

if ur state doesnt require it then why bother, its flame. it actually makes u a target. no shitlol malpratice attorney is going to take a case on contingency against some random solo shitlolyer who's relatively young, they will assume u have no money. the first thing those kike leeches look for is whether u have insurance

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581945)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 9:32 AM
Author: Brass cuckoldry

Your practice is one that this attitude probably works for. But you can't be out there naked drafting wills and trusts or advising even small successful businesses on lit.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44582862)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 25th, 2022 10:02 PM
Author: Orchid scourge upon the earth pervert

180

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44574342)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 7:26 PM
Author: Mauve blood rage point

No malpractice insurance would keep me up at night. What kind of experience did you have before going solo?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580010)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 9:57 PM
Author: Greedy Lavender Round Eye

shit/mid law and government. My cases aren't high value or complex where a client would sue... I'm rolling the dice here, but unlikely they will sue or prevail even if they do sue

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580913)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 1:06 AM
Author: Low-t Parlour French Chef

pussy, then u arent ready for solo.. grow some balls faggot

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581950)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 26th, 2022 8:41 PM
Author: Irradiated Lemon Legend

Are you chadly and fratty and aloof and alpha?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44580405)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 12:50 AM
Author: bearded ruddy location dingle berry

I'll play.

Legal experience prior to going solo: 6 years biglaw

Location: CA

Lol school: top 50

Solo practice area: entertainment/advertising

Overhead: 12K/year for rent; 17k misc, 5k for health insurance.

Subscriptions: Westlaw, Lexis, Adobe Pro, Clio, Stamps.com, WeTransfer

Malpractice ins: $2300/yr

Work week: something like 25 billables

First 12 months: ~$90k net

Month 13-24: $330k net

Month 25-36: $415k net

Probably will do $350k this year.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581885)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 1:01 AM
Author: galvanic jew circlehead

You bill ~$310?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581932)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 2:06 AM
Author: bearded ruddy location dingle berry

between $300 and $600 depending on the client

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44582078)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 9:33 AM
Author: Diverse olive gunner

well done

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44582870)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 1:07 AM
Author: Low-t Parlour French Chef

For me from what I remember, my first nine months I made 10k. then the net 4-5 months I made like 110k

Then next round of cases over a like 15m period I made like 170k

Then third round of cases 300k

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44581955)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 27th, 2022 9:55 AM
Author: Dull wonderful community account piazza

PI?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44583011)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 28th, 2022 12:15 PM
Author: irate curious rehab people who are hurt

i'm hoping to crack $700K this year, but my expenses are crazy and i'll probably only take home $100K. next year i'm aiming for $1MM

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44589349)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 28th, 2022 8:25 PM
Author: galvanic jew circlehead

WTF are you spending the money on?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44591321)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 28th, 2022 10:05 PM
Author: Irradiated Lemon Legend



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44591758)



Reply Favorite

Date: May 28th, 2022 10:06 PM
Author: swollen cerebral space shitlib

Doctor Kickbacks: ($600,000)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5115417&forum_id=2#44591762)