Young Lawyers Division 2000-2001

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1999

Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Reap Many Benefits from Bar Membership

By Lisa Rodeghiero

"Small firm life without the resources from the bar would be much more burdensome and perhaps prohibitive," notes Gary L. Mason, with Klafter and Mason, L.L.C., in Marlboro, New Jersey. Gary's thoughts mimic those of other solo and small firm practitioners interviewed. Solo or small firm practitioners, who are also young lawyers, enjoy many advantages from bar membership. Some of the benefits commonly cited are: (1) substantive assistance, (2) networking and referrals, (3) support, (4) social benefits, and (5) public service opportunities.

Substantive Assistance

Generally, on both a state and national level, bar associations provide an excellent source of on-point reference materials. Practitioners noted that the bar provides the cheapest and best source of continuing legal education information featuring speakers with the most expertise on particular topics.

Attorneys can purchase books, outlines, and pamphlets needed for specialized cases that were written by the experts in particular fields. Ron Ledgerwood, a solo practitioner in Denver, Colorado, notes that often it is difficult to find resources that break down a specific area of law in a specific jurisdiction comparable to those obtainable through the bar.

Gary Mason believes that as practice areas develop and change, committee newsletters, seminars, and workshops all provide a means to keep abreast of new twists and turns in the law. Unlike in larger firms, which typically appoint a senior partner in a particular practice area to advise everyone else of new cases or legislative actions, solo practitioners and small firms need to rely on other sources for these important and regular updates, notes Mason.

Membership in the bar allows easy access to this important information via both the Internet and regular committee publications. Specifically, Mason states that he has found the articles and other information on managing a law firm that come from the Solo and Small Firm Committee and the Law Practice Management Committee to be extremely helpful as his firm continues to grow.

Networking and Referrals

As young lawyers with limited experience, a local bar can be an outstanding way to expand a referral base. As Rew Goodenow, a young lawyer with a small firm in Reno, Nevada, notes, networking is an important benefit of bar membership as "one's best source of work is other lawyers."

Most lawyers are not comfortable handling every subject matter that may cross their desks. Others simply do not want to take on certain matters or must remove themselves because of a conflict. Involvement in bar organizations can lead to strong relationships with other lawyers in a variety of specialties, which in turn provides a strong network of referral relationships.

Gary Mason states that the people he has met through his bar involvement have become both referral sources and friends. He notes that on many occasions, he has litigated cases in which the adversary is also a bar colleague who may have even served on a committee with him. By having a relationship that began outside of the litigation context, both sides can reap personal and professional benefits that may not have been otherwise possible.

Goodenow also points out that bar membership promotes professionalism and increases civility because "it is hard to be uncivil when you know each other through bar activities."

Basic Support

Nearly all practitioners interviewed noted the personal and professional support available through bar organizations. Large firms enjoy the privilege of having knowledgeable lawyers in diverse fields of practice who are ready to answer a quick question or to point an attorney in the right direction. Solo and small firm practitioners, on the other hand, lack that important resource. In fact, solo and small firm practitioners often find it difficult to access specialists unless the practitioner happens to share an office with other lawyers who specialize in different areas of the law. Both the local bar associations and the ABA can help a small firm practitioner establish those important relationships. Ledgerwood noted that "other bar members-both in the YLD and the 'Big Bar'-have been readily available with answers for my questions."

William H. Wilhoit, a solo practitioner in Grayson, Kentucky, emphasizes the benefits bar membership provides in terms of support. Specifically, he finds discussing problems and ideas with similarly situated people to be helpful:

As attorneys know, there are many potholes in this occupation that can throw a person off track. While large firms have many associates and partners to warn and advise them of certain road blocks, small and solo firm practitioners do not enjoy such a luxury. Therefore, solo and small firm practitioners need to find other avenues of information to learn about the streets we travel. Bar membership is but one road that leads solo and small firm practitioners to such knowledge about the everyday practice of law.

Social Benefits

The social benefits of bar membership also should not be overlooked. These social benefits can be found in every level of bar organization-local, state, and national. The opportunities for friendships with persons in similar situations with similar interests, needs, and problems is an intrinsic benefit of any organization. "Bar membership in general and in particular the YLD has provided such opportunities for me," says Ledgerwood.

Public Service Opportunities

Bar membership also provides public service opportunities. Attorneys may have professional or personal reasons for wanting to get involved in public service. Again, though, for solo or small firm practitioners, the means of doing so are not always as apparent. Membership in the bar at both the local and national levels helps bring attorneys together in their efforts to accomplish public service.

In sum, all of the solo and small firm practitioners I spoke with appreciate the advantages received from membership and involvement in the bar. If you are a solo or small firm practitioner, you should definitely check out what you've been missing!

Lisa Rodeghiero is an assistant editor of The Affiliate and practices law with the Brown Law Firm in Billings, Montana.