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June 8, 2021

Comment: Firm v. Solo Practice: The Way ahead

Author: Sannidhi Mahapatra

There seems to be a prevalent trend in most law universities in terms of career choices. Students are molded to aspire to the law firm life- join the elite group of lawyers, gain access to a plethora of resources and obviously an attractive remuneration. Discussions about the possibility of going solo are rarely serious or substantive. Initiating such discussions in law schools can even be met with derision. Going solo entails straying from the path of joining a law firm and starting one’s own practice, either individually or as a firm. The divergence is often stigmatized to mean a failure at securing a law firm job.

Working at a law firm from the nascent stage provides opportunity for learning and is believed to be more forgiving of errors. In reality, however, different law firms can be less or more forgiving of errors made by trainee associates and junior associates. The grooming in a law firm, coupled with the ample resources, in my opinion chisels amateurs into successful lawyers. Law firms provide the stability required to grow in the initial years and help expand the professional network of peers and clients alike.

The hours expected to be put in a law firm can, however, become overwhelming and adversely affect the personal life. Mentoring on an established platform is seldom done. So, the young talent start aping the spent forces to fit into the system. Individuals with possible knowledge solutions and innovation struggle to establish personal identity.

Intellectual leadership is a possibility when one breaks free of the establishment. Disruptive innovation happens when they dare to err. A solo practice might have a slow start but often ensures greater prospects of growth in the longer run.

However, solo practice as an IP lawyer might not draw in the clientele, who normally aim for the top tier firms having goodwill and reputation. A solo practice belies the belief of having enough expertise and resourcefulness to thrive in a field as technical as IP. Also, the shortage of capital and time limits the number of cases that can be handled efficiently by a single lawyer.

To conclude, this author is of the view that different paths work for different people. While it may seem challenging to someone to turn down a steady income and stable job and dive into the uncertainties of going solo, others revel in the freedom and independence it brings. Whether to go solo or not is and should be a highly personal decision based on self-awareness as well as an assessment of the market and industry trend. The trajectory of the career graph is also individual specific and there is no right or wrong time to venture into solo practice. For a young lawyer wanting to practice IP law, the technical nature of the IP field must also be kept in mind while considering the path to adopt. 

Disclaimer: Views, opinions, interpretations are solely those of the author, not of the firm (ALG India Law Offices LLP) nor reflective thereof. Author submissions are not checked for plagiarism or any other aspect before being posted.

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