Key Takeaways from This Episode

Most solo lawyers are happy.

The ALPS survey found that 3 out of 4 solo attorneys feel satisfied in their work. That’s much higher than lawyers in big or mid-size firms.

Control matters more than money.

Many lawyers leave larger firms because they want control over their schedule, clients, and workload—not just a big paycheck.

Debt shapes career choices.

Law school debt pushes a lot of people into jobs they didn’t plan for. Over time, that can lead to burnout or regret.

Less stress when you focus.

Solos who pick one or two practice areas do better and even pay lower malpractice insurance. The more you “dabble,” the more risk you take on.

Solo life doesn’t mean lonely life.

Many solos stay connected through Facebook groups, Slack channels, and local bar groups. Support is there—you just need to reach out.

Health and vacation matter.

Most solos in the survey rated their health as good or great, and many take real time off each year. When you take care of yourself, you do better work.

Technology made going solo easier.

You don’t need a big office anymore. Tools like Clio and virtual offices make it possible to start a practice with low costs.

More lawyers will keep going solo.

About 76% of solos plan to stay that way. They like the freedom, the clients they serve, and the work they’re building for themselves.

The big message:

You don’t need to stay in a job that drains you. You can build a practice that fits your life—and still be a great lawyer.

ALPS INSURANCE REPORT FINDS SOLO LAW FIRMS BUCKING THE LAWYER WELL-BEING CRISIS TREND

While solo practitioners make up 49% of private practice lawyers in the U.S., relatively little research or attention has focused specifically on America's solo community. At the end of 2024, ALPS endeavored to establish benchmark data about solo attorneys and their respective professional satisfaction to determine how this subset of the nation’s legal workforce was faring. The findings, released in the 2025 Solo Attorney Well-Being Trends Report, were surprising.

To download the report, visit: https://www.alpsinsurance.com/2025-solo-well-being-report

Podcast Guest: Chris Newbold, Chief Operating Officer, ALPS Insurance

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