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New Solo

107 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 88 ratings

So, you’re a new lawyer or you’re new to practicing solo. You’ve got your game plan. Now what? First, know that you’re not ‘alone. It’s the fastest growing segment of the legal profession. Welcome to New Solo here on the Legal Talk Network, where you’ll learn a lot about practicing law. SOLO!

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Episodes

A First Year Recap From a New Family Law Practitioner

October 28, 2021 20:30 - 38 minutes

After passing the bar, attorney Cassandra Michel knew she wanted to open her own family law practice, Aloha Divorce, focusing on amicable divorces and family law.  Adriana dives into how a new lawyer can open a successful practice as she walks through the process of establishing a brand, creating a business plan, and networking. Choosing the right tech, deciding on using a home office, shared office, or standalone brick and mortar? Marketing? Sponsorships? Referrals? Even learning to efficien...

A Short Primer on Microsoft Accounts, OneDrive, and SharePoint

September 30, 2021 18:00 - 29 minutes

In a special episode of New Solo, legal tech whiz Adriana Linares tackles a topic that baffles many legal practitioners: the dreaded Microsoft suite of services. What do you really need and what are you missing? Many lawyers jumped into Microsoft’s 365 universe during the pandemic. Sharing files and working collaboratively from home is appealing, but there’s a lot to learn about the array of products. OneDrive? SharePoint? Secure document sharing? Learn the difference between personal and pri...

Get Organized! Leverage Tech for Work/Life Balance

August 26, 2021 20:05 - 46 minutes

Guest: Kimberley Felton is an immigration attorney, consultant, and supermom and the founder of virtual immigration law firm Onward Immigration and consulting firm Innovation Litigation. Shortly after law school, Kimberley Felton found herself struggling with all the things they don’t teach: How to manage time, clients, and family. She knew there had to be a better way. Unfulfilled in disorganized settings and fighting to find meaning in her new profession, she taught herself to incorporate ...

Becoming A Master of Microsoft Word

July 29, 2021 11:00 - 32 minutes

Guest Marie Stockton is an estate planning lawyer laser-focused on making sure her clients understand what they’re signing. She’s mastering document prep tools to assure they have the look and feel that encourages reading and comprehension.  Topics: Making the shift from WordPerfect to Microsoft Word Paying attention to the little things, like fonts Designing and creating styles for formatting Complex numbering for document accuracy Resources: Matthew Butterick, Typography for Lawyers ...

A Listener's Guide to the New Solo Back Catalog

June 24, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes

Brand new solo Dean Blachford binged New Solo’s episodes before launching his practice. He offers a crash course featuring standout episodes. Special thanks to our sponsors, Lawclerk, Alert Communications, Abby Connect, and Clio.

The Unorthodox Path to Becoming a Lawyer

May 20, 2021 11:00 - 49 minutes

Solo Rachel Allums earned her law practice chops running a firm before joining the bar, and her estate planning practice is all the better. Special thanks to our sponsors, Lawclerk, Alert Communications, Abby Connect, and Clio.

Client Acquisition in the 21st Century: With Instagram & TikTok??

April 15, 2021 11:00 - 54 minutes

How new solos Taly Goody and Michelle Fonseca-Kamana create videos for social media that attract clients and referrals.

Decamping to Puerto Rico

March 11, 2021 12:00 - 33 minutes

When one can practice almost anywhere, why not Puerto Rico? Sarah de Deigo leapt even before the pandemic popularized these wholesale moves.

Oh, The Messes We See

February 25, 2021 18:31 - 46 minutes

Business consultant Peggy Gruenke explains what happens when solo and small firms don’t have their financial houses in order.

Case Study: Journey to the Cloud

January 25, 2021 19:30 - 43 minutes

With an updated format and new segment, Adriana Linares takes listeners behind the scenes of a firm’s migration to the cloud.

What New Solos can Learn from Han Solo

December 03, 2020 16:00 - 51 minutes

Marketing expert Seth Godin and Jack Newton discuss niche practices and how lawyers can be the ‘one and only’ in a crowded field.

Why a Career Path Isn’t a Straight Line

November 05, 2020 16:00 - 33 minutes

Guest Jonathan Greenblatt shares four tips for building a successful legal career, even when you’re not in the job you expected.

Getting Started Tips from a New Solo

October 01, 2020 14:00 - 45 minutes

Having launched as a solo just a year ago, Kelly Roberts shares tips that made her practice profitable by month two.

Unintended Consequences Rule the World

September 18, 2020 15:00 - 33 minutes

Lawclerk co-founder Greg Garman expounds on how the pandemic, aka, the tech enlightenment period, opened doors for lawyers and legal business.

From Clicks to Clients: The Law Firm Marketing Funnel Explained

September 03, 2020 14:00 - 49 minutes

Digital marketing expert Jason Marsh explains how internet ad campaigns work in concert with a firm’s client intake process.

TechnoLawyer’s 2020 Top Tech Products Revealed

August 20, 2020 18:57 - 43 minutes

Neil J. Squillante announces TechnoLawyer’s Top Product Awards for 2020.

Back to Basics: Smart Marketing for Solos Part 2

August 06, 2020 20:43 - 36 minutes

Legal marketing expert Conrad Saam demystifies online marketing with no-nonsense tips about SEO, choosing a URL, and hiring a marketer.

Back to Basics: Smart Marketing for New Solos - Part 1

July 02, 2020 18:22 - 45 minutes

Conrad Saam gives an overview of the fundamentals of good legal marketing.

Making the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile with Dennis Kennedy and Allison Shields

June 11, 2020 20:12 - 1 hour

Dennis Kennedy and Allison Shields share their insights on effective LinkedIn use from their book, “Make LinkedIn Work for You: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Other Legal Professionals.”

Law Firm Leadership: Cultivating Positivity in Your Law Firm

May 21, 2020 18:52 - 40 minutes

David Holmes shares insights from his personal experiences as a law firm leader.

Help for Bar Associations: Insights on How to Continue Operations During COVID-19

May 07, 2020 20:09 - 36 minutes

Jill Epstein and Keith Fisher share insights on how they transitioned the San Diego County Bar Association to work remotely.

Tips and Tools for Surviving the Shift to Remote Work

April 23, 2020 17:30 - 1 hour

Adriana Linares and Brett Burney offer tips and recommendations for remote work tools and services.

Going Remote During COVID-19: Tips and Tools for At-Home Legal Practice

March 31, 2020 23:55 - 1 hour

David Holmes, Henry Herrman, and Greg Lambert offer guidance for establishing remote legal practice.

Implementing the Right Processes with Ernie Svenson

February 28, 2020 21:55 - 1 hour

Ernie Svenson discusses how his work with attorneys helps them use their time better and get more meaningful clients.

Learning Blockchain From Those Who Know It Best

January 29, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour

Early blockchain co-inventor Scortt Stornetta and IBM’s Shawnna Hoffman discuss the past, present, and future of blockchain. Learn how this technology is already impacting your life.

Brand New Solo: Legal Tech and Business Tips from Philip Mauriello

December 17, 2019 20:52 - 41 minutes

Philip Mauriello discusses his path to becoming a solo attorney.

Shifting to Neutral: Kristin Rizzo’s Journey From Litigation to Mediation

November 12, 2019 19:21 - 52 minutes

Kristin Rizzo describes her journey from a large law firm to solo practice to mediation

Did You Really Read Those Terms of Service?

October 17, 2019 22:27 - 48 minutes

Daniel Whitehouse guides lawyers in the process of choosing secure, ethically compliant cloud services.

Marco Brown’s Eight Commandments for Getting Paid

September 30, 2019 19:54 - 44 minutes

In this episode of New Solo, Adriana Linares talks to Marco Brown about his eight Commandments for Getting Paid.

Money Management 101 for Solo and Small Firm Professionals

August 30, 2019 23:12 - 50 minutes

Amanda Moore, CPA, shares tips on how to manage your practice’s finances and your bookkeeper as well as keeping yourself off the IRS’ radar.

Take Control of Your Work and Life with New Apps, Bots, and Services.

August 01, 2019 02:07 - 52 minutes

Liz McCausland shares some of the professional and personal services she uses to improve both her work life and her personal life.

The Journey from a Big Firm to Solo Practice

June 25, 2019 16:53 - 54 minutes

David Leatherberry talks about how healthcare law led him to start his solo firm, his experience in the legal industry and his current passion to help behavioral health practitioners with their legal needs.

Balancing Solo Practice with Bar Leadership with the Right Tech Tools

May 30, 2019 18:39 - 35 minutes

Host Adriana Linares sits down with Renée Thompson, mediator and member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, to discuss what tools enable her to accomplish her goals, to review her accomplishments during her time on numerous bar committees, and to look forward towards her planned run for Florida Bar president (and why being a solo practitioner is an asset for the role).

Work and Life: How Two Solo Lawyers Balance Busy Careers, Marriage, and Parenting

April 19, 2019 21:34 - 51 minutes

Adriana Linares hosts solo lawyers and married couple Renee and Phil Stackhouse. They discuss their individual careers and delve into how they manage their personal lives as a couple and as parents. They go on to discuss how they manage their practices from a business perspective, from office space to legal technology to financial matters. In their final segment, Renee and Phil talk about their work in military law, describing the types of matters they deal with and highlighting interesting c...

Launching a Successful Practice: Tips from Pro Solo/Small Firm Lawyers

March 28, 2019 22:26 - 45 minutes

There are so many unknowns when starting a new law practice – what should and shouldn’t new solos do when first striking out on their own? In this episode, host Adriana Linares talks to solo/small lawyers Paige Greenlee and Brittany Maxey-Fisher about their career experiences. They discuss what led them to decide to go out on their own and what strategies they have used to grow their practices. They offer tips for solos on technology, practice management, networking, organic marketing, hiring...

TL NewsWire’s Top 25 Products Awards

February 14, 2019 13:00 - 51 minutes

Lawyers, if you’re looking for a new tech product or don’t know what you might be missing, tune in for some great ideas. In this episode, host Adriana Linares talks to Neil Squillante of TechnoLawyer about TL NewsWire’s top 25 products awards. The top-25 list, determined by reader interest, gives a wide-ranging look at the most useful and sought-after tech products and services for the legal industry.

CRM Value: How Lawmatics Enhances Client Experience

January 30, 2019 22:01 - 46 minutes

Engaging with your clients from start to finish (and beyond) can boost your firm’s success. In this episode, host Adriana Linares talks to Matt Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Lawmatics, about the software solutions they offer lawyers for streamlining the processes of customer relationship management. From intake to automated marketing — focusing on a good client experience helps lawyers grow their revenue.

SDCBA Solo Lawyer Panel Part 2

November 30, 2018 22:11 - 35 minutes

Solo lawyers face a demanding but rewarding profession. Host Adriana Linares talks to a panel of solo attorneys about their diverse career experiences. They discuss the many challenges of being a solo lawyer and offer practical guidance to solos on a variety of topics including: mentorship, choosing (or not choosing) office space, building independence, developing fee agreements, technology, self-care, and much more.

SDCBA Solo Lawyer Panel Part 1

November 30, 2018 22:04 - 37 minutes

Solo lawyers face a demanding but rewarding profession. Host Adriana Linares talks to a panel of solo attorneys about their diverse career experiences. They discuss the many challenges of being a solo lawyer and offer practical guidance to solos on a variety of topics including: mentorship, choosing (or not choosing) office space, building independence, developing fee agreements, technology, self-care, and much more.

Using Casetext for Legal Research

October 26, 2018 18:21 - 39 minutes

Jake Heller highlights the benefits of the affordable legal research tool, Casetext. He describes why Casetext is an affordable and effective alternative to the major legal research products on the market. In this episode of New Solo, Heller and Adriana Linares discuss how Casetext’s artificial technology software, known as CARA, works.

The Solo Essentials

September 13, 2018 18:34 - 35 minutes

One of our listeners has decided to launch his own solo practice. Host Adriana Linares talks to Taylor Darcy about what made him want to go solo and the technology that has helped make his practice successful. They discuss integrating automated systems and how the tools he uses allows him to focus on the important things while technology takes care of the rest.

Using Chatbot Technology to Automate your Firm

August 20, 2018 17:19 - 33 minutes

A chatbot is a form of artificial intelligence software that can participate in conversation and websites use them to engage with site viewers. Host Adriana Linares talks to Tom Martin about how small firm lawyers can implement chatbots on their own websites. They discuss how the technology works and address some of the common hesitations lawyers have when considering the use of a chatbot.

How Freelance Lawyering Works

July 27, 2018 12:55 - 33 minutes

If you’ve ever wondered about using freelance lawyers and the process involved, this may be the episode for you. Host Adriana Linares talks to Greg Garman about New Solo’s new sponsor Lawclerk and what it offers to solo and small firm lawyers. They discuss how posting and responding to projects works within Lawclerk and address common ethical and practical questions lawyers have about using the site.

What Storms May Come: Preparing your Firm for Natural Disaster

June 29, 2018 18:27 - 38 minutes

Host Adriana Linares and co-host Jack Newton talk to Renee Thompson and Zack Zuroweste about how law firms can prepare for and recover from natural disasters. They discuss switching to the cloud in order to eliminate the loss of physical files, ensuring your backups are actually saving everything you need, and the ability to be mobile and take your office with you in a pinch.

The Secret Life of a Mobile Lawyer

May 29, 2018 19:13 - 45 minutes

You don’t have to have a physical office to be a lawyer. Host Adriana Linares talks to Greg McLawsen about the lifestyle of the nomadic attorney. Greg shares how he decided to wander the globe and how he built his law firm around his desire to travel. He also discusses the technology that enables him to run a mobile law office, from chatbots to visual project management.

How to Own your Niche

April 19, 2018 19:58 - 58 minutes

Starting your own solo practice in a competitive area is hard enough; raising five kids while running your business is even harder. Host Adriana Linares talks to Bill Galione about how he combined research, personal interest, and passion to establish a niche within personal injury law. He also shares how he balances caring for five kids on top of his solo practice, which could potentially qualify as another kid.

Splitting the Difference: How to Change Locations

March 30, 2018 21:13 - 36 minutes

In December 2015, Barbara Leach shared how she managed to split office resources without causing office drama. Adriana Linares talks to Barbara about how to effectively separate after sharing an office with another firm. She also shares tips on hiring and what she does to create a supportive and creative work environment for her coworkers.

The Difficulty of Switching Technology

February 21, 2018 01:11 - 28 minutes

Laptops are kind of like that greener grass; they always look shinier in someone else’s hands. But switching around your technology, whether it’s transitioning to using Macs or deciding to use a tablet, could be more work than you think. In this episode of New Solo, host Adriana Linares talks to Joe Patrice talk about what it really looks like to switch from Windows to Mac and the advantages and disadvantages of using tablets for your business. Sprinkled into their conversation are tips about...

Word Up 2: Creating Tables of Authority with Ease

December 22, 2017 20:40 - 49 minutes

Microsoft Word has a feature specifically for creating a table of authorities but many are still intimidated when it comes to using the software. In this episode of New Solo, Legal Office Guru Deborah Savadra joins host Adriana Linares to explain the details of creating tables of authority in Word. They review everything from dialog boxes and categories to styles and pagination. They also discuss the complaints they hear the most and the easiest ways for lawyers to save time and prevent mista...

Up Your Marketing Game with Newsletters

November 28, 2017 17:50 - 45 minutes

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 blog...