Guest post by Attorney S.H.

This is the story of a girl who went solo and called it quits.  My story begins in May 2008 when I graduated from law school.  I spent that summer studying for the bar and planning for a wedding.  I got married in September 2008 and started my two year clerkship term in October 2008.  My plan was to finish out my two year term as a clerk and hopefully start to work at a law firm focusing on employment law.

Knowing that my clerkship was going to end in October 2010, I started to look for a new job in the beginning of 2010.  After sending out countless cover letters, resumes, and writing samples, it quickly became clear that the job market was very competitive, and there was not much out there.  I only received one interview after sending out many, many applications.  Things were not looking good.

Then my job search came to a halt in June 2010 when I had my son.  I decided to take a break from the job search, and I took the summer off for maternity leave.  I returned to work at the end of the summer, and ended my clerkship in October 2010.  I was sad my clerkship was ending, but I was happy to lose my three hour round trip commute each day.  While I love Boston, it was too far away from my home and I hated losing all that time each day commuting.

The job search began once again.  I quickly realized that almost everything that was posted was in Boston and I did not want to work in Boston.  It was also very discouraging to send out application after application and receive not one interview.  So slowly, but surely, with encouragement from my family I started to think about hanging my shingle.  My husband had steady income and he carried out health insurance so it was an option.  I attended the MCLE course “Hanging Your Shingle” along with the LOMAP start-up meeting.  Both of these courses were excellent resources.  I read some books, talked to some friends, and away I went!

I was very, very cautious about spending money.  It took me almost three months to decide on a location.  I thought about virtual office space, but there was nothing close enough to my house that would be convenient.  I looked into renting office space, but I was way too nervous to commit to a one year lease when I did not have one client.  On a whim, I emailed a local attorney I had never met and asked if I could use her space to meet clients and I would pay her on a per use basis.  She called me right away and said that arrangement would be fine with her.  She also agreed that I could use her office for my business address.  It was essentially a virtual law office, but only 10 minutes from my home and I could use it as often as I wanted.  I was so excited!

As for the rest of my expenses, I purchased a new computer, printer, scanner, and Dymo LabelWriter.  I changed my home phone number to use for my business phone, got a fax number through an online service, set up a website and email through godaddy.com, and ordered some business cards.  I purchased my liability insurance and set up an IOLTA account.  I also went to an IOLTA training seminar through the Office of Bar Counsel.  I set up my office in the basement of my house and I was ready to go.

I decided to focus on real estate since I knew some people in the real estate industry.  Even though the real estate market was not the best, I figured it was a way I could get a steady stream of income initially.  I contacted some real estate attorneys and got advice about how to become an agent for a title insurance company.  I attended some MCLE courses and read everything I could about Massachusetts real estate.

I received my first real estate deal in March of this year.  It was the first time I had to make all the decisions in the workplace.  I had no coworkers or boss to look to for guidance.  I felt very vulnerable and nervous.  Luckily, I had a friend who was a real estate attorney.  I also reached out to a fellow Starting Out Solo member who basically saved my life.  She walked me through everything I needed to know.  I was up very late the night before my first closing balancing my HUD and going over my final numbers with her.  I will forever be grateful for how much she helped me!  I would not have ever got through that deal without her.

I knew I needed to build up my business so I joined some bar associations and my local chamber of commerce.  I am a social person, so going to networking events was always fun.  I gave out my business card and made small talk.  However, I had a hard time dealing with the lack of results for the amount of time I felt I was putting into networking.  I remember Jared from LOMAP stressing the marketing aspect of the business.  However, marketing was just not my thing!  The marketing aspect of the business quickly became a thorn in my side.  I realized that I am an impatient person who does not like rejection.  Summer came along, and I started to rethink going solo…

And them BAM, my husband got laid off.  I tried to be calm, cool, and collected but inside I was panicked.  He carried our health insurance.  I was making barely any money.  How could this work?  How could we afford health insurance if my husband did not have a job?  The job market was awful, and every day more gloom and doom reports came on the news about how things were not going to get better any time soon.  Our son was 14 months old, and doctor appointments at that age are a frequent occurrence.  I was already rethinking going solo, and at that point I knew I had to start applying for jobs.

So I applied.  And I applied.  And I applied.  I applied to everything everywhere.  Attorney positions.  Non-attorney positions.  I did not care.  As long as the job had decent pay and health insurance, I was applying.  I received many rejection letters and one interview.  The job was for a non-attorney position with a very reputable company.  I had high hopes, but I did not land the job.  I tried to remain positive, but when you have a young child and a mortgage and bills to pay, you start to panic.

And then it seems that all the stars aligned.  A job was posted for a firm looking to hire a litigation associate only 25 minutes from my house.  No litigation experience necessary.  I applied right away, and two days later I got an interview.  Then I got a second interview.  And then I waited for a phone call….

It was Labor Day weekend.  We packed up the family and headed to my in-laws up North.  Once we arrived my husband got a phone call.  He received a job offer for a better position with health insurance benefits.  We were so excited!  We celebrated all weekend.   And then the week after I received a job offer from the firm close to my house!  I could not wait to receive a steady paycheck again.

I started with my new firm at the end of September.  I had some real estate closings to wrap up for my firm and I just did my last closing last week.  I am now in the process of fully winding down my solo practice.  It was a one year journey that I will never forget.  I loved being my own boss, making my own hours, and calling all the shots.  I did not like the marketing, rejection, and anxiety that came along with having my own practice.  I simply could not handle the business aspect of the business.  I wanted to practice law.  I did not want to run a business and I am glad I quickly came to that realization.  I am happy I tried it, but I am also happy that I made the decision to close up when I did.  Going solo works out for a lot of people.  It did not work out for me and I am ok with that.  I am proud of myself for putting myself out there and trying to do something very difficult.

I am thankful that I had the support of my family, friends, and most importantly Starting Out Solo.  I do not know how I would have made it through this year without this group of attorneys.  I have never met many of you, but I feel like I know you well.  You made the scary journey of going solo not as scary and provided many laughs along the way!  I cannot thank you enough.