When Susan Cartier Liebel asked if I would teach at Solo Practice University, she gave me a long and persuasive list of reasons to do it, ranging from the extravagant salary I’ll be paid to the vast prestige I’ll enjoy at A-list events. Yet, I was unmoved.
There was only one reason for my interest in helping with Susan’s love-child (SPU, of course). That’s to provide whatever help I can to others in their quest to establish a solo practice in criminal defense. There are 17,849 mistakes to be made along the road. I know because I kept count. Over 25 years, I’ve seen things change and stay the same, but I’ve learned from all of it. Maybe my learning experience can help others to smooth the learning curve.
This should prove to be a very interesting experience for all of us. I expect that I will remain as low-tech in my approach as a computer will allow, despite SPUs pushing us toward increasingly sophisticated online pedagogical methodologies. I promise I will never use the word pedagogical again in connection with SPU. And due to my aversion to new technology, my acceptance of Susan’s advances (in technology, of course) will be slow. But I’ll try to do whatever I can to convey what I’ve learned, and I generally find that it’s the message that counts.
So my decision to accept Susan’s generous proposal (to teach, of course) was a done deal. I hope that I can offer some worthwhile advice on how to navigate your way into a successful criminal defense practice, and dodge a few of the larger missiles that will come your way. And so, I am Solo Practice University’s Professor Number 1.
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Scott,
Needless to say, we are very excited to have you on board to teach students about criminal law.
Professors in law school simply can’t bring your years of experience to students hungry for information on how to actually practice criminal law. They just can’t.
So, thank you, again.
And so your lifelong dream of becoming a LawProf comes true. You’re one of them now. How’s it looking from that corner office in the ivory tower?
In all seriousness, smart move Susan. Couldn’t have found a better solo to start off with it. All the best to you both!
Heh. Lawprof Greenfield. I’m going to have a field day with this one.
I knew you would be all over this. Thanks Gid. Enjoy yourself with it. You deserve it after all my mouthing off.
Well, if you put it that way…took all the damn wind out my sails.
Gideon…maybe you should consider coming over to the dark side, too? And we can still preserve your anonymity if you’d like? Imagine the lively debates you and Scott can have and our students can benefit. Imagine learning from a current practicing prosecutor?
I paying Scott in lollipops. What sweets do you like?
Do you really think it’s appropriate to offer candy to a child for his favors on my blawg? I mean, really, control yourself.
Well, you said you were being paid extravagantly. I wanted the currency to be clear 🙂
Dark side? You want me to become a prosecutor? Those are fighting words.
But if you give me Three Musketeers, I’ll play one in your endeavor.
Obviously, being a fellow nutmegger, if you need me to do anything, let me know and that includes writing it up.
The First Casualty of Solo Practice University
I was the first “professor” announced.
The First Casualty of Solo Practice University
I was the first “professor” announced.
Straight Into Solo, When There’s No Other Choice
Over the past few weeks, I’ve received numerous emails from law students telling me that they want to be criminal defense lawyers and go straight into solo practice.