Last Updated February 2022 by Crystallace   

Congratulations!!! So you graduated and passed the bar and you’re ready to hang up your own shingle.

Or maybe you tried the 9 to 5 and it just doesn’t fit or maybe you’re like me and the dream job didn’t work out for you. Either way, you now find yourself a Solopreneur.

You are starting your own law firm which means you’re going to have law firm costs to budget for.

This can be both frightening and exciting at the same time.

I have always been one who supports “a dollar and a dream.” Even when it’s really just a dollar.

But there are just some law firm costs that have to be prioritized from the beginning for a smooth long run.

10 Law Firm Costs You Can’t Afford to Skip On

1. Power Suit  

We have to dress for the job we want, not the job we have. The goal is to have a successful law practice but we have to fake it until we make it.

For some reason people associate looking like you have money with whether you’re good at what you do, so we have to play the role.  

2. Website Domain    

Having a website gives you credibility. Not just social media (although that is equally important) but you need a website.

There are a lot of free website providers out there like Squarespace and Wix, or you could do a blog format like WordPress or BlueHost. Pay for the domain name and even if its just basic, have a website.   

3. Email Address    

You want to have an email registered to your domain address. This will make your clients feel secure when contacting you, especially with all of the hacking going on these days.

Teenagers can have free Yahoo and Google email providers, so you want to distinguish yourself with an official email address. I was able to get one free with my site through my Google account.

4.  Logo and Branding  

You want to have some kind of logo and brand recognition for your firm. Now, I’m not talking about a lux branding package but consistent, clean brand recognition with colors and fonts.

You can make this, on your own, for free on Canva and Pinterest has tons of branding boards to help you pair colors and fonts.

Make a brand for your firm and use it every time on your envelopes, letterheads, business cards, etc.   

5. Business Cards    

I will be the first to admit that I felt business cards were outdated or that they would be soon, but I think they are here to stay. 

With that said, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to having them. Canva lets you design your own business cards that can match your branding and they will print and ship them. I had some made on Canva and I was pleased with the quality. I collect and hand out business cards like candy.

Canva can get the job done for a decent price. 

Networking Tip: Make a contact for yourself and have it ready in your phone so you can send it really quick to someone if you’re ever without cards

More Law Firm Costs You Need to Budget For

6. Stationary   

This isn’t a must have but again brand recognition. It would be a good investment to have a good printer and nice paper.

A printer can slap your letterhead on your envelopes and letters and make you look real official, real quick. I also like cotton paper when corresponding with clients and other attorneys for a personal touch.

When you think about correspondence vs. court documents. You don’t send out that much correspondence to clients, so the cotton paper investment isn’t a whole lot. I use this paper and I get it from Amazon.   

7. Business Registration    

This is a no brainer. Make sure you legitimize your business with the Bar, State, and Feds from the start, for liability and tax purposes.    

8. Malpractice Insurance    

This is required in some states but in states where it is not, it is still good to have. You will probably be making some mistakes because you are a rookie. Malpractice insurance is a wise investment.

9.  Phone Service  

Google will let you get a phone number for free or for a low price (if it’s a high demand area code).

Trust me, you don’t want clients to have your personal cell phone number but you do want a way for them to contact you and leave you voice messages.  

10. Law Practice Management Software

I put this one last because it is not an immediate need. It’s more like a “as soon as you can” need.

Microsoft Office can definitely get the job done but if you want to maximize your time (because time is money), you want a program built for the purpose of managing a legal practice.

I am in the process of testing these out myself so I will have an upcoming post on that.

how much does it cost to start a law firm

Are you in the process of starting your solo firm? Let me know in the comments.