Empowering the Next Generation of Legal Entrepreneurs: The 20th Annual Small Law Firm Symposium
By Eve Guillergan, Senior Manager, Small Law Firm Center
The prospect of embarking on the journey of opening your solo or small law firm practice as a young lawyer can be both thrilling and challenging. The transition from being an associate at a firm to a solo practice (or joining forces with others to open a small firm) is one where you have to wear two hats – as a lawyer and businessperson. The 20th Annual Small Law Firm Symposium, organized by the Small Law Firm Committee and the City Bar’s Small Law Firm Center, is the event you’ve been waiting for. The conference takes place on Thursday, November 9. It’s a platform that has been instrumental in helping young lawyers gain insights, network, and embark on a successful solo or small firm career. Over the last two decades this event has seen numerous attendees, all seeking to build, grow, and manage their practices.
This year’s Symposium is packed with courses specifically tailored to your needs and aspirations. Topics include:
- How to create the legal practice and life you love
- How to grow your firm by acquiring another firm
- How to understand your clients from their perspective to become a better lawyer
- A dialogue about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
- Technology – AI and cybersecurity
- How to manage your firm using freelance lawyers
- Ethics and communications, and more!
The Small Law Firm Symposium goes beyond the classroom. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded lawyers who are on a similar journey of entrepreneurship. Share your experiences, discuss challenges, and build a network of support that can be invaluable as you venture into your own practice. We will have an end-of-day wine reception to allow you to unwind, make connections, learn from those who have walked the same path, collect business cards, and follow-up with those you have met.
The Symposium also features a trade show with numerous exhibitors so you can see firsthand different practice management software, speak to vendors about insurance, research tools, creating a website, optimizing social media presence, and more. We’ll also have a corporate photographer who can take your headshot by appointment.
We hope that the Symposium is your launchpad to a successful solo/small firm practice. As a young lawyer with the aspiration to build your practice and make your mark in the legal world, this event will be helpful. Join us for a day of knowledge, networking, and empowerment as you think about embarking on the exciting journey of opening your own legal practice. We look forward to welcoming you to the Symposium!
Eve Guillergan, Senior Manager, Small Law Firm Center, can be reached at eguillergan@nycbar.org
