Career Coaching For Solo Lawyers

9 Oct

Surviving Those Solo Years Of Legal Practice

Enduring those long years on your own as a sole practitioner can be challenging.

In many of the years as a solo lawyer, I often felt overwhelmed and ready to quit, not just because of external pressures but due to my own unrealistic expectations and a liberal dose of imposter syndrome as a professional.

Those career challenges are still a vivid memory to this day.

The pressure to achieve my dream of becoming a solo lawyer was huge.

I needed to prove to myself and those around me that I could succeed once more.

Despite support from colleagues and clients, I constantly doubted my abilities.

Whatever I did was never seemingly enough.

The key to overcoming these challenges was ultimately quite simple - time and more time than I had initially allowed myself.

I spent most of my early years as a solo lawyer feeling miserable and ready to quit.

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy As A Sole Legal Practitioner

I was my own worst enemy.

However, by showing up every day and gradually building my skills and confidence, I realised that success as a solo lawyer is a long-term not a short-term journey.

I needed to give myself time, reframe what success looked like, and make positive changes to my work life.

I've gone on to have a successful career as a solo lawyer, small law firm principal, and legal academic, leveraging my qualifications into other areas - nowadays coaching solo solicitors and consulting to small law firms.

My advice to new sole practitioners is to be patient with yourself, and seek guidance and support when needed, sooner than later.

Don't give up too soon either as things generally get better with perseverance, practice and time.

How To Engage Paul Ippolito As Your Solo Lawyer Coach

Reach out now to book in a chat with Paul Ippolito our adviser to solo solicitors and small law firms for a free initial consultation here

Paul Ippolito, Principal of Ippolito Advisory, is a coach for lawyers helping sole practitioners set up, launch, and grow their practices. He is available for media enquiries, speaking and consulting. You can contact him here.