Why work in small law? Blogging and social media
Solo practioner and author, Carolyn Elefant (@carolynelefant) asks what would want to make you work as a lawyer for a small law firm.
Her point being that small law firms do not want to pay associates much. Newer lawyers require training, the associate may move on afterwards and associates don’t bring in business right away.
Elefant wonders whether there is some middle ground between paying “slave labor” and attempting to match the pay at larger firms. She asked her readers, whether a “newbie” or more experienced lawyer looking for a postion, what would make you seek a small law firm?
Would it be the chance for hands-on experience? An opportunity to get in on the ground floor and advance? Or flexible scheduling and perks and benefits like paid CLE or free lunch? Perhaps if solos and smalls had an idea of what potential employees were seeking, they might be better able to accommodate those wishes.
Not seeing anyone respond to Elefant’s questions, I shared my thoughts with her via Twitter. I explained that joining two lawyers in a law firm in rural Wisconsin was one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life.
I received a set salary for six months of $1,500 a month and then received 50% of what I billed and collected. When I got to $100,000 in gross fees collected, I received 55%. I was assured I would not go destitute should collections be low, they would support me.
I would have worked hard anyway, but I am sure that the opportunity to earn more than other lawyers in my town motivated me. It was natural for me to build relationships in the town, but I suppose this compensation plan gave me a little more incentive.
I would have also worked hard because of my love for small firms. I clerked for a solo in the Sierra foothills while in law school and worked for a small law firm on the West Coast of Ireland for a year upon graduation.
The ability to impact people, be given instant responsibility and the opportunity to do so many different things was tough to be beat.
I’ll add one more reason to consider small law today. Social media, especially blogging.
Blogging is the great equalizer for young lawyers. Never before could you build word of mouth and relationships in as short a time as you can do with a niche blog.
Blog while in law school and you’ll be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to help the firm gain business. How many job applicants show up with revenue generating skills like this? Revenue generating skills that you can impart to the other lawyers.
Large law firms, on the other hand, would likely want you to curtail your blogging and social media. They see risk over reward. They’re probably looking for your hours, as opposed to you building a name.
Business savvy lawyers in small law are unlikely to have such hangups. Use the Internet. Build a name for yourself. How can we help you?
Not every small law firm will see the opportunities that await them with a social media savvy associate. I am not sure any firms in my hometown would have given me 50% of my fees collected at six months. But it worked out for both of us. I stayed for 14 years, became their partner, and we added 12 more lawyers.
Small law can be a great place to work. Sure their are risks and low pay. You may do some less than glamorous work. You may not even get hired full time to start with.
But there are opportunities and rewards in small law, especially with the advent of blogging and other social media.
Image: My law firm just past Leath Furniture and before the Hollywood Theatre.