Who Says Solo Attorneys Can’t Play a Big Firm Game?
For a long time, I assumed running a solo practice meant I couldn’t compete with BigLaw.
If a client wanted the polished experience — the fancy onboarding, the slick tech, the seamless communication — they’d naturally go with a big firm, right? That’s just how it worked.
Or so I thought.
Here’s what I’ve learned: Most clients aren’t looking for a marble lobby, or a prestigious address, or multiple names on the door. They’re looking for clear communication, efficient resolutions, reasonable turnaround times, and a lawyer who makes their life easier. And thanks to today’s technology, solos can deliver exactly that, sometimes even better than big firms can.
If you saw this article from Legal GPS, you know that the belief that BigLaw has a significant advantage over solo practices is officially considered outdated. With the right tech stack, solos can not only compete with big firms but sometimes run circles around them.
💡 Here’s how the game is changing:
AI-Powered Tools: Drafting documents, answering FAQs, even summarizing case files — AI isn’t here to replace us; it’s here to buy back our time. In the article, one attorney reported cutting client intake time by 50% using AI-generated onboarding materials.
Secure Client Portals: Remember when I ranted about the chaos that is email? Client portals are a solution where you can centralize everything — documents, updates, and messages — so that clients stay informed and you stay out of your inbox.
E-Signature Tools: Are folks really still asking clients to print, sign, scan, and email things back? Tools like DocuSign and HelloSign make onboarding, drafting, and closing cases frictionless. One solo reported onboarding twice as many clients last quarter simply by streamlining signature workflows.
Here’s what gets me the most: Big firms have these tools too, but they also have layers of bureaucracy and a deep-seated fear of change slowing them down. As solos, we can make decisions and implement change today.
I’m actively working on tightening up my own tech stack, and I’d love to hear from others doing the same.
What’s one tool you’ve adopted that’s made your solo practice feel like it’s running on a much bigger engine?
Share it in the comments — I’m all ears (and fully committed to stealing your best ideas ☺️).