Deciding to "Hang a shingle"

     Deciding to open a practice was not an easy decision.  I graduated with honors from law school in May 2010, had had numerous internships, and thought that I had taken all the right steps to find employment and be able to support our family, my pregnant wife and son on the way.  Now I just needed to pass the bar exam, which I ended up doing the first time, and was licensed in Dec. 2010.  Really, I had done the "right" things to get a job but with the economy, coupled with limiting ourselves geographically for family, friends, and my wife's steady employment (remember, baby on the way!) no job came.  I had been searching for full time jobs over a year, beginning in August of 2009, but besides some miscellaneous projects with various attorneys, I did not find anything steady.  Really, there were just not a lot of jobs out there. 

     I began thinking more about creating my own opportunity.  I had always been interested in having my own law practice and "hanging my shingle" as it is commonly referred to.  During law school, I always attended seminars and special presentations on opening a practice, read the books, and thought I might do that "someday" after working for someone else for awhile. Working for a big firm, "Big Law," or anyone for that matter, never happened and I wondered if I could build a small firm from the ground up, and be the boss of "Small Law."  I liked the idea of reaping the awards from my own hard work, while also having the flexibility to be the father and husband I want to be.   

     My wife and I talked a great deal in the spring and early summer, discussing our lifestyle, family, where we really wanted to be, the challenges that might come with opening a business, and if WE could do it.  After some great time and thought we made the call that that "someday" we were waiting for was actually right then, at the beginning of summer.  We decided that we liked the small town where we were living and that this place is where I am going to build my business.  I bought professional malpractice insurance in June.  I rented a small, quite affordable office space in August.  I also invested in some technology, a printer, some software, etc.  We dipped into some savings for this as a leap of faith.  I continue to chip away at some work that I've been graciously given by a mentor.  Now, I just need my own clients.