Solo Practice

When Do I Pop the Cork?

By Michael Grossman

I quit my job almost four weeks ago and shortly thereafter I officially opened my solo practice. When I came home from my last day on the job, my wife had a bottle of champagne sitting in the fridge. I told her that I appreciated her intentions, but I was hesitant to open the bottle because I didn’t feel like congratulations were in order. I had merely quit my job - not exactly something worthy of a backslap, particularly when I did not have a book of business waiting to be culled.

Many of my colleagues, friends and family were offering congratulations, but I explained to them that all I could feel was terror. Terror at being a one-income household, fear of loosing the stability from my old job, and of course I was scared that this solo venture would fail. I was in no mood for Champaign.

My wife didn’t quite get that I was being such a pessimist, but after she loudly vented upon me she dealt with the fact that the DOBO (date of bottle opening) was undefined. At what point will my internal feeling of good override my fears? Or if I cannot naturally produce this moment, when should I force it upon myself by opening that bottle? I don’t think there is an easy answer.

Initially I thought that once I get a real, non-related and non-friend client I would naturally want to open that bottle. Well? I got that client yesterday and today he?s dropping off a check. I had expected to feel somewhat thrilled at this particular moment, but I don?t. I?m not sure why?

I’ve long thought that I’ll feel successful when my income matches what I was making in my previous job - but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Maybe it will hit me when I take my client?s check, payable to me, and walk it over to the bank for deposit into my IOLTA account. I hope so, because I do like champagne ? as long as it?s the good stuff. My wife has good taste so I?m optimistic. And thirsty.

Full post as published by Practical Lawyering on October 10, 2007 (boomark / email).