LLM Solo and Small Firm Practice

Solo and small firm practice is the most common organizational form in the legal profession today. This course will focus on the essential of small firm and solo law practice. Although many of the topics covered in this course could be translated into law practice skills in general, the course will give particular emphasis to those issues that are frequently encountered by solo and small firm practitioners, including setting up a law practice; developing business; hiring, managing, and effectively using support staff; financial planning, billing, and fee management; issues of ethics and professionalism; leveling the playing field through practice skills and management; and many others. Students will be graded on a P/C/F basis and will be assessed on quality of their involvement and participation in both individual and group exercises. Students will also be evaluated on the quality of their critiques of fellow students performance. There will not be a final exam in this course. Attendance and participation are required.