Legal Definitions - solo

In a legal context, the term solo refers to a lawyer who practices law independently, without partners or associates. This individual is often called a sole practitioner. They are responsible for all aspects of their law practice, including client acquisition, legal work, office management, and financial administration, operating as the sole owner and attorney of their firm.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a solo practitioner:

• Example 1: After several years working at a large corporate law firm, Attorney Sarah decides to open her own practice specializing in intellectual property for small businesses. She leases a small office, hires a paralegal, and manages all her cases and business operations herself. Sarah is a solo practitioner because she is the only attorney in her firm and operates independently.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates a solo practitioner as Sarah is the sole attorney responsible for her law firm, making all decisions and handling all legal work without partners or other attorneys sharing ownership or responsibility for the practice.

• Example 2: Mark, a newly licensed attorney, chooses to immediately establish his own law office focusing on estate planning for individuals and families in his community. He works from a home office initially, handling all client consultations, document drafting, and court filings personally. Mark is practicing law as a solo practitioner.

  Explanation: Mark exemplifies a solo practitioner because he has chosen to practice law entirely on his own, without joining an existing firm or forming a partnership, taking on all professional and administrative duties himself.

• Example 3: Attorney David has been practicing environmental law for over two decades. He has always preferred the autonomy of running his own practice, even though he occasionally collaborates with other lawyers on specific cases. His firm consists only of himself and administrative support staff. David is a long-standing solo practitioner.

  Explanation: David's situation illustrates a solo practitioner because, despite his extensive experience and potential for collaboration, he remains the sole attorney and owner of his law firm, maintaining independent control over his practice.