What do you call a one-person law firm?

Asked by: Dr. Helga Bartell Sr.  |  Last update: August 22, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)

When a single lawyer runs their own business, they operate a solo law firm. As if being a lawyer wasn't demanding enough, when all of the duties fall on just one person, the amount of work that has to be done can be daunting.

What is it called when you own a law firm?

In California, there are two principal types of business organizations available to law firms: a limited liability partnership and a professional law corporation.

What is a solo lawyer?

A sole practitioner or solo practitioner is a professional, such as a lawyer or an architect, who practices independently.

What is another name for a small law firm?

Boutique law firms are small law firms that focus on providing specialized legal services in a particular area of law or to a specific industry.

What is a self-employed lawyer called?

A freelance lawyer is a lawyer who is hired by another lawyer—either directly or through a platform—to complete substantive legal projects by the hour or via a flat fee.

5 Questions to Ask When you Call a Law Firm

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What is a one person law firm called?

Solo Law Firms

Solo practitioners are a one-person show. They often handle whatever comes through the door but try to specialize in one or two subjects, such as family law or DUIs. Solo practitioners may be new lawyers fresh out of law school or older attorneys well into their legal careers.

What is a sole lawyer?

A solo practitioner is a lawyer who works alone without any partners or associates. They handle all aspects of their legal practice by themselves. Solo practitioners are also known as sole practitioners or simply "solos".

What is a small-size law firm?

There's no shortage of benefits to working at a small law firm (15 or fewer attorneys). These firms often work in specialty areas or deal with complex subjects such as tax or immigration law. Other contributors to the small firm allure include: More flexible hours.

What can I say instead of firm?

Synonyms of 'firm' in American English
  • adjective) in the sense of hard. hard. dense. inflexible. rigid. set. solid. solidified. stiff. unyielding.
  • adjective) in the sense of secure. secure. embedded. fast. fixed. immovable. rooted. stable. steady. tight. unshakable.
  • adjective) in the sense of definite.

What is an independent lawyer called?

In the United States, a special counsel (formerly called special prosecutor or independent counsel) is a lawyer appointed to investigate, and potentially prosecute, a particular case of suspected wrongdoing for which a conflict of interest exists for the usual prosecuting authority.

Can a single person own a law firm?

Rule 5.4 prohibits non-lawyer ownership of law firms and fee-sharing by lawyers with non-lawyers. It essentially says that non-lawyers cannot own law firms. They must be owned by lawyers.

What is it called when you are your own lawyer?

About Self-Representation

"In Pro Per" means that you are acting as your own attorney. You are not required to hire an attorney, but before taking any legal action, it is highly advisable to consult with a lawyer who can inform you about important legal rights.

How much money do I need to start my own law firm?

Those costs can vary greatly depending on what type of law you will practice, where you live, and whether you are a true solo attorney or plan on having staff right away. That figure can range from basic start-up costs of $1500 all the way to $50,000 and beyond.

What is a private law firm?

A private law practice is a law firm that operates as a business in the private sector. This differentiates private practice law from working for a governmental entity—as criminal prosecutors, public defenders, or any attorney working for a government agency.

What is a small business lawyer called?

A business lawyer—also called a corporate attorney, corporate lawyer or commercial lawyer—is a legal professional who focuses on issues that affect businesses, including taxation, business transactions and intellectual properties.

What is the hierarchy of a law firm?

Law firms are further divided into sub-hierarchies within the lawyer and staff classes. For example, within a law firm's professional services class, there will be attorneys of different ranks and statuses, with equity partners at the top, associates in the middle, and contract attorneys at the bottom.

What is a firm slang?

slang. a gang of criminals. a gang of football hooligans.

What is a firm also called?

Synonyms: company, business, concern, association More Synonyms of firm. 2. countable noun. A group of criminals or hooligans is sometimes referred to as a firm.

What is a small sized firm?

Businesses with 1–20 employees are defined as small, while businesses with 21–100 employees are considered medium-sized.

What makes a boutique law firm?

A boutique law firm is a law firm specializing in a niche area of law practice. While a general practice law firm includes various unrelated practice areas within a single firm, a boutique firm specializes in one or a select few practice areas.

What is a silk stocking law firm?

A silk stocking law firm is often based in a large city and itself is quite large, like a company with hundreds of attorneys. Catering to a well-to-do or "silk stocking" clientele, it often charges high fees.

What is a basic lawyer called?

What is a “Lawyer” in California Law? A lawyer is a broader term encompassing anyone who has graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. While all attorneys are lawyers, not all lawyers are attorneys. Some lawyers may work as: Consultants.

What is a freelance lawyer called?

A freelance lawyer, also known as a contract lawyer or solo practitioner, is a legal professional who works independently on a project-by-project basis rather than being employed by a law firm or organization.

Can someone own a law firm without being a lawyer?

Outside of a few exceptions, the general rule in the U.S. is that only licensed attorneys can own law firms.