Private Practice

This weeks marks the one year anniversary of my being in private practice and I thought I would comment a bit on what I've learned.

I really enjoy being on my own. There are some downsides, to be sure. Money is not as constant. The expenses are certainly higher. I miss murder cases. (I know, I'm a sick puppy, but what can I say?)

But there are a number of other benefits. For one, I control my caseload. This means that I take only cases I want to take. Why might I not want to take a case? The type of case, for one. I don't really like DV hearings, so I can send them to someone else. The client can make me not want to take a case. Some people have unreasonable expectations. My caseload could also be too high. I have turned away some work for this reason at times. I also have the benefit of talking to someone before charges are filed. This is a huge advantage. I have been able on several cases to tell clients to shut their mouth, preventing them from talking to the police. I can take different types of cases. For example, I am trying to build a federal practice. (I did tell you I was a sick puppy, right?) Couldn't do that as a State employee.

All in all, I enjoy being my own boss. I wouldn't trade it for the world. We all have to find our way, to follow our passion. And I am not really cut out to be an employee. That's neither good nor bad. It just is. I have a nice Mac at work that I have loaded with all of my music. When I work late, I can crank up some tunes. I can look at whatever I want to look at without running into filters that prevent you from looking at anything not work-related Maybe I just have a problem with authority. Whatever it is, I am enjoying it immensely.

Comments

[Susan Cartier Liebel]

Congratulations on your first birthday! Sure, there are a couple of benefits to someone else giving you a paycheck...but what about all the hefty deposits in the other psychological bank accounts? I'd say you are a very rich man.