I just got an email from a friend who is currently working as a contract attorney doing document review. She is concerned that she will be laid off soon and forced to join the growing legions of unemployed people in the US. She reminded me of how last time this year she wouldn’t have cared if her project ended because she was seeing a steady increase in the number of clients at her solo practice. But, now, she needs the steady income provided by contract work to grow her practice.

“Girl, I cannot survive on unemployment benefits. Maybe if I didn’t have to worry about Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo I may be able to get by. But, you already know how Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo are. Sallie Mae wants me to pay for a forebearance and Wells Fargo says they don’t give forebearances. I need this job. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the job, but I need the pennies that they’re paying us to do document review. LOL! 30 freaking dollars an hour, but yet they’re billing us out to the client at $245 an hour. Dang, they could have at least paid $100 an hour so we could feel like freaking attorneys. Ack! I’m so pissed because I wanted to leave this document review project on my own terms rather than being laid off. But, I only have a handful of clients left and I’ll be done with their cases soon. And with the economy in its current state, it’s getting harder to find a document review project. And don’t get me started on how the projects are being outsourced to India.”

Yeah, things are rough out there. That is why it is so important to have additional sources of income or at least be willing to try something new. If you haven’t done so already, you should really look into starting your own solo practice. It’s not as expensive as you’d think it would be. Sure, you may not be able to afford an office and staff or billboard advertising. I started my practice in my 2 bedroom apartment with my two-year old by my side and when clients wanted to meet me I rented out conference rooms by the hour. It may not be the fabulous setting you dreamed of when you thought about starting the Law Office of [insert your name here], but at least you’ll be on the path to financial freedom and not just wishing you were on the path. As for advertising, there are so many places for free advertising where you can post an add for your new firm. All it takes is a google search.

If you already have a solo and things have slowed down, consider adding a different field of law as one of your services. You have to complete your CLE requirements anyway, so why not try something new.

This also applies to those working for law firms. In this recession, you cannot afford to get too comfortable. Whether you have to do document review or look outside of the legal industry for employment, then that’s what you have to do. Don’t worry about what other people will think. Remember, the bills are sent in your name to your address and not anyone else.

Let me know how you’re weathering the recession by posting a comment below or sending an email to blog@dirtylawndry.com.