A lawyer can practice independently or enter into a partnership with other lawyers.  This is the most important decision that a lawyer has to make.  A person  practicing solely needs consider his/her resources and finances before beginning the practice.  Experience is also a very important factor in determining the success rate of a lawyer.

An independent lawyer has to be confident about his/her level of experience.  The primary advantage of solo practice is that the practitioner will have the complete decision making power.  In a partnership, all partners will have to be consulted to take decision on a matter.  A solo practitioner can dedicate complete time to practice whereas in a partnership, management and administration eats up significant amount of a lawyer’s time.  Partners of a firm will have to meet frequently for decision making.  In solo practice, there is no need for time consuming management meetings.  A solo practitioner can work  from various locations, but a partnership may need more office space, staff and other facilities.

To practice independently, a lawyer needs to be very confident.  In a partnership, even if something goes wrong, the blame or the loss can be shared among partners, whereas in a solo firm, a single person bears responsibility.  In a partnership, the burden of work can be shared, so that the firm would be able to take up more and more work and multiply earnings.   Feedback from other partners can improve a lawyer’s skills.