New Solo

Email marketing can be a very valuable tool for solo lawyers. But how can you make your newsletter stand out from spam and competition? In this episode of New Solo recorded at the 2017 Clio Cloud Conference, host Adriana Linares and guest host Liz McCausland talk to Andrew LeGrand about the ins and outs of using newsletters as a marketing strategy. They discuss things like open rates, tracking referrals, and how to make newsletter content relevant and interesting. They also briefly cover blogging and how to use your blog to effectively reuse content you already have. Andrew Legrand is the founding partner at Spera Law Group, LLC, a cloud and paperless law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

As a lawyer, you write a lot. Whether it’s a contract, report, proposal, or even just a long email, your writing needs to be professional and clear of errors. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Ivy Grey and Daniel Heuman of Intelligent Editing’s PerfectIt about the editing services that their product offers and how it helps lawyers on a daily basis. They also discuss the importance of technology competence for lawyers and share their favorite apps and tips to saving time and effort in your business. Ivy B. Grey is the author of “American Legal Style for PerfectIt,” and is a senior attorney at Griffin Hamersky LLP. Daniel Heuman developed PerfectIt, an add-in for MS Word that finds mistakes that spelling and grammar checkers can’t find. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

If you’ve ever experienced frustration with Microsoft Word or other word processors, you’re in luck. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares and guest Allan Mackenzie go in depth about how to use Microsoft Word effectively, including tips and tricks you can put into practice before the podcast ends. They cover keyboard shortcuts, setting defaults, and how to set up the quick access toolbar to meet your specific needs. Allan Mackenzie is a 25-year veteran of the legal technology world. His experience ranges from that of a former night-shift word processor to a Wall Street IT director with a specialty in litigation technology. Microsoft Word Tips for Legal Professionals from LawTech Partners on Vimeo. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

Lawyers are often hesitant to set up a practice in a rural area because they believe it will be difficult to find enough clients and sustain a business, but this isn’t necessarily true. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Jeff Alford about why he chose to set up shop in small-town Kentucky and what technology he uses to help his practice thrive. They also discuss Ernie Svenson’s Small Firm Boot Camp and why conferences are important even for those who run in smaller circles. Jeffery Alford is the owner of and attorney at Alford Law Office. Jeff has tried numerous divorce, custody, civil and criminal cases to final judgment or verdict. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares, along with guest Todd Smith, cover a wide range of topics, including bar association benefits, outsourcing IT support, and transitioning from large firms to solo practices. While discussing these subjects, they dive into the relevant technology and software that will help your own solo or small firm thrive. This includes full desktop search tools, wireless scanners, and video conferencing software. Todd Smith is a civil appellate lawyer based in Austin, Texas. He launched the predecessor to Smith Law Group LLLP in 2006 after practicing for nearly a decade with Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

“Solo” may be part of the title when you’re starting your own solo legal career, but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to JoAnn Holmes about the resources she uses to make her solo law firm successful. Some of these resources include communication tools and automation software. She also shares advice for fellow new solos about allocating resources and not working alone. JoAnn Holmes is the founder of HOLMES@LAW and a business, tech, and intellectual property attorney.

Microsoft products assist lawyers daily in document review and communication. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Ben Schorr, senior content developer at Microsoft, about the different tools Microsoft provides and how they lend themselves to a successful law firm. Their conversation includes Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, and Outlook. They also discuss resources you can use to learn even more about Microsoft products. Ben Schorr is a Senior Content Developer at Microsoft. He was a Microsoft MVP for more than 19 years and involved with management and technology for more than 25. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney

Law schools are gradually catching on, but not a lot of lawyers emerge from law school ready to start their own business, which is what starting a practice is. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Matthew Moeller, owner of the Moeller Firm, about how he started his practice, what technology he’s using, and how his business experience has helped him. He also talks about the upsides and downsides of a shared office space and why he ended up moving to his own suite. Matthew Moeller is the owner of the Moeller Firm LLC where he represents shipyards, vessel owners and operators, contractors, and other maritime businesses.

Taking the plunge into solo practice can be intimidating. Maybe even downright terrifying. But it doesn’t have to be. This is part 2 of the New Solo episode in which host Adriana Linares talks to Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve, Tony Chiosso, and Albert Thuesen about their experiences running their own solo law firms and advice for those thinking about doing the same. Their tips and tricks range from scanners they use in the office to marketing techniques and social media. Whether you are looking for experience with video conferencing software or finding a solo community, these experts have you covered. Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve has been a practicing attorney in the public and private sector for nearly 20 years. She has owned Fairgrieve Law since 2013. Albert Thuesen is the principal of Coit Law Group (CLG), founded in 2014 in San Francisco. CLG is a full service civil practice, focusing on handling litigation claims on behalf of individuals, families, and local business clientele. Tony Chiosso recently started his own firm, Chiosso Law. He has represented clients in a variety of transactional, consulting and litigation matters throughout his career. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

Nothing encourages the jump into starting a solo practice than the advice of those who have already done it. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve, Tony Chiosso, and Albert Thuesen at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s first annual Solo and Small Firm Conference. Together they discuss their own solo experiences, focusing on how they started and what it took to grow as a firm. They also talk about the tech they use, like Google Voice, GoDaddy, and Ruby Receptionists, and the importance of researching these products that could save you time and money. Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve has been a practicing attorney in the public and private sector for nearly 20 years. She has owned Fairgrieve Law since 2013. Albert Thuesen is the principal of Coit Law Group (CLG), founded in 2014 in San Francisco. CLG is a full service civil practice, focusing on handling litigation claims on behalf of individuals, families, and local business clientele. Tony Chiosso recently started his own firm, Chiosso Law. He has represented clients in a variety of transactional, consulting and litigation matters throughout his career. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.