New Solo

Starting a law firm straight out of school? Meet Philip Mauriello, an attorney who wasted no time launching his solo practice just three months after passing the bar. In this episode, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Philip, who shares the smart, scrappy strategies that helped him build a successful business from the ground up. From freelancing to build startup capital to picking the right tech stack before day one, Philip shares real-world strategies for getting up and running fast. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down why thinking ahead, specializing early, and planning your growth can reduce risk and lead to long-term success.

Hear the original episode with Philip Mauriello. Learn more about ALPS Insurance. Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

Get inspired and stay inspired as a solo legal practitioner. Guest Paige Greenlee started her firm, Greenlee Law PLLC, in 2014 and is still going strong on her own. Hear how she does it. Keeping the lights on, and keeping track of cases, business, even contract help is a full load, but you can do it. 

Having worked for large firms, Greenlee realized she wanted to control her own business, use the technology that worked for her, and manage her own calendar and cases. But as so many have noted, you learn the law in law school – not business management. 

Hear how Greenlee leaned on family experiences, mentors, and her own trial and error to keep the lights on, keep the cases coming in the door, and stay organized and efficient. 

Here’s a hint, a lot of running a solo practice comes down to making a business decision and then outsourcing the implementation. Greenlee learned to delegate tasks, including accounting and technology management. And as she started to build her practice, she learned to find and hire the right assistants to manage day-to-day duties. She relies heavily on tech tools – the right tools, not cheap imitations – to eliminate the forest of paper documents that comes her way daily. 

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]  

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Hear how a successful solo law firm founder learned to practice law, enjoy her life, and take care of the day-to-day chores it takes to run a business

It’s easy to fall into the habit of trying to do everything yourself. Learn when to “outsource,” turning over business issues such as bookkeeping and administration to contract employees and firms.

When it comes to your tech, don’t skimp. If you need it, get it. “Good enough” is rarely good enough. 

Mentioned in This Episode: Clio Legal Tech Microsoft 365 for Business NetDocuments ScanSnap Gliss Marketing and Consulting TrialPad Florida Bar Association ABA TECHSHOW 2025 Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report

 

Introverted and shy attorneys, this episode is for you! Discover the key differences between introversion and shyness, gain practical tips to overcome performance anxiety, and learn how to harness your natural strengths to thrive in the legal profession with episode highlights from Heidi Brown, professor at Brooklyn Law and author of The Introverted Lawyer. Plus, don’t miss the heartfelt conversation with Rio Lane from ALPS Insurance on why “fake it till you make it” isn’t always the best approach and how lawyer wellbeing is essential for success.   Hear the original episode with Heidi K. Brown.

In this “Super Episode,” host Adriana Linares is joined by Stephanie Everett, a host for the Lawyerist podcast on the Legal Talk Network and the chief growth officer, lab coach, and speaker with Lawyerist, a firm dedicated to helping solo and small legal practices flourish in every area including marketing, finance, staffing, and legal tech. Twice the hosting! Together, they tackle the transition to flat-fee billing and explain how it can sometimes be a better solution for lawyers and their clients.  Clients are used to the traditional billable hour, but in reality, they aren’t paying for your time, they are paying for results. They are paying you for what you achieve. So why not bill that way?  This doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some jobs can be better handled with a straight up, flat fee or a subscription model. Others may still require hourly billing. Or maybe one part of the case is a set amount, with hourly add-ons if the case drags on.  The goal is never to see your practice earn less revenue, but flat-fee billing can benefit both client and lawyer. Think of how many times clients were afraid to call you or chat a bit to build a relationship because they worried the clock was ticking. Hear how you can try it out, “play with” a rate shift. Maybe even present clients with an option. If you’ve been curious about how flat-fee billing can work, this is the episode for you.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]   Topics:

Flat-fee billing? It can be done, and it can offer advantages to both clients and law firms. Clients are paying for results, not “hours.

How you price your services doesn’t have to be one way or the other. It can be both. Some tasks can be set for a straight up, transparent flat fee. Others may work best at an hourly rat

Explaining fees to clients is a new concept. But clients often warm up to new ways of doing things if they’re given the chance and understand their options. It starts with honest, clear conversations. (Don’t forget to help your own staff understand, too.) 



Mentioned in This Episode: Previously on Lawyerist podcast, “#547: Legal Tech You Need for Flat Fees, with Adriana Linares” ABA TECHSHOW 2025 Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report

To soar as a solo attorney, you need financial stability, a clear flight plan to attract the right clients, and a reliable system that delivers the best ROI, while setting you apart from the competition. In this first episode of the First Flight series, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine dive into the essential habits that can make or break a solo practice. Inspired by Marco Brown’s "Eight Commandments" for solo attorneys, they discuss the importance of structuring your practice from day one, managing trust accounts responsibly, and developing good financial habits before unsustainable ones take hold. They also explore why specialization can help streamline your firm and even lower malpractice insurance premiums. Plus, they tackle imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and how technology can lift the burden of running a law firm.  Hear the original episode with Marco Brown. Learn more about ALPS Insurance.  Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.