Trial Magazine

I had only just begun. After law school, I opened my practice as a sole practitioner in Louisville, Ky. I had much to learn, so I was fortunate to share office space with a group of older, wiser lawyers who guided and mentored me. Early on, one of those lawyers said, “There is a big difference between being busy and running a successful firm.” Truer words have never been spoken about the business of practicing law.

We all know that law schools do little to educate lawyers on the business of running a firm, which is why you need to educate yourself on profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and team leadership. If you’re lucky, you had some basic lessons on these topics at the undergraduate level, but most of us didn’t learn management skills, the components of a business and marketing plan, or the art of networking.

Fortunately, I’ve learned the business of law from many of my peers in AAJ. Our organization is filled with lawyers who run their own firms, and most of our members are in firms of fewer than 10 attorneys—that’s a lot of attorneys who need to know how to run a firm.

AAJ offers many resources, including the Sole Practitioner and Small Firm Section, which has more than 500 members and offers education and discussion on running a firm. This Section helps members focus on the best ways to market and manage their sole practice or small firm and gain visibility. To learn more, visit www.justice.org/community.

And among AAJ’s many litigation packets, the Running a Small Firm Litigation Packet provides invaluable guidance on the various elements related to starting and managing a firm (www.justice.org/litigationpackets).

Furthermore, this month’s Trial includes articles on tips for running a modern-day law office (p. 36); potential shifts in the practice of law (p. 26); best practices for interacting with the media (p. 20); and how to prioritize well-being in a demanding profession (p. 52).

AAJ is always striving to do more for you. At our fall Board of Governors meeting, we broke out into small groups to discuss pressing association issues and how AAJ can better serve its members’ needs. One recurring subject was the need for more education around the actual operation of firms, which led to the creation of AAJ’s Firm BOSS Summit.

AAJ’s Firm BOSS Summit is designed for those involved in Business, Operations, Supervision, and Strategy within their firms. Scheduled for Oct. 22–24, in Stowe, Vt., the summit will feature keynote speakers from outside our industry on how to excel in workforce management and new horizons in technology. In breakout sessions, members will meet in small groups and exchange ideas, templates, and business plans. The focus will be on futurist-guided planning and the exchange of legal sector best practices to help your firm perform better and maximize efficiencies and revenue. 

And as a bonus, it will be held in beautiful Vermont at the Lodge at Spruce Peak during the fall season with plenty of opportunities to connect through networking activities. We have capped attendance for this inaugural event, so space will be limited. More information will be available soon at www.justice.org.

Learning never stops. Whether newly graduated or further down the road, be curious, nimble, and willing to grow your skill set. Thankfully, AAJ is here to offer resources to help you do just that.

Tad Thomas is the founder and managing partner of Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Ky., and can be reached at tad.thomas@justice.org.