A new law library book, Design Your Law Practice, explores the multifaceted challenges of starting a law firm.  The book is divided into four parts, each exploring a different aspect of starting a law firm.  The book explores the beginning steps of conceptualizing a law firm to the end phase of applying ideas to real-life practice.  Not only does the book provide real-world examples of implementing ideas into law practice, but it also provides practical worksheets for an attorney to complete to help build their law firm.

A solid plan is one of the most important aspects of forming a law firm.  Part 1 of the book explores the “Steps to Design Thinking” and provides five steps to take when creating a law firm.

Step 1. Empathize: Research Your Clients’ Needs

While most law firms take a lawyer-centered approach, this book outlines the importance of a client-centered approach.  Empathy is the cornerstone of a successful attorney-client relationship.  It is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings, thoughts, and perspectives—your client in this case.  When it comes to legal matters, clients often seek legal counsel during challenging or stressful times.  Understanding and empathizing with their needs is crucial to build trust and facilitate effective communication.

Step 2. Define the Problem: A People-Centered Approach

A people-centered law firm approach, often called a client-centered or client-centric approach, revolves around prioritizing clients’ needs, experiences, and well-being above all else.  Ultimately, a people-centered approach in a law firm is not solely about winning cases but about fostering lasting relationships built on trust, understanding, and a genuine commitment to clients’ well-being.  It transforms the practice of law from a purely transactional service to a supportive and compassionate partnership between attorney and client.  Creating a problem statement for clients can help attorneys maintain a client-centered approach.  A problem statement involves concisely articulating the client’s issues into one or two sentences.  This statement serves as a foundational understanding of what the client is facing, guiding the legal team in addressing and resolving the specific problem.

Step 3. Ideate: How to Solve the Problem

Ideation is a pivotal stage in the design thinking process as it serves as the catalyst for creativity and innovation.  It sets the stage for the subsequent refinement, testing, and implementation phases.  Attorneys often possess traits like analytical thinking, attention to detail, and a focus on precedent—all valuable in the legal field.  However, these traits might not align directly with ideation’s creative and open-ended nature.  Ideation thrives on open-mindedness and a willingness to explore unconventional or untested ideas.  Attorneys, accustomed to legal precedence and established procedures, might find it challenging to think beyond traditional approaches.  While these traits might not be innate to attorneys, they can be developed through practice and training in creative problem-solving methodologies. 

Step 4. Prototype: Start to Create Solutions

Prototyping plays a critical role in the design thinking process by enabling the exploration, testing, and refinement of ideas before full-scale implementation.  Prototyping assists in visualizing and understanding how a potential solution might look or function.  Prototyping minimizes the risk of failure by addressing potential issues early.  It is often more cost-effective to change or modify a prototype than to a fully developed service.  In essence, prototyping is a fundamental step in the design thinking process as it allows designers and teams to move from ideation to implementation in a user-centered manner.  It promotes innovation, reduces risks, and leads to more effective and successful outcomes.

Step 5. Test and Refine: Try Your Solutions Out and Make Adjustments

Testing and refining solutions are critical aspects of the design thinking process.  Creating a roadmap for testing and refining is essential because it provides structure, clarity, and direction to the design process.  A roadmap outlines a sequence of steps and milestones to serve as a guide to help plan and organize effectively.  A roadmap ensures that the testing and refinement activities align with the broader objectives of the project.  Evaluation frameworks and related metrics serve as valuable tools for assessing progress, identifying areas for improvement, making informed decisions, and ensuring that efforts remain aligned with overarching goals.

Interested in more books about solo law practices or starting your own practice? Be sure to ask the law librarians or the research fellows for suggestions!

Allison R. Carswell

Sol Blatt, Jr. Law Library Research Fellow
Student Ambassador
Associate Justice of External Competitions, Moot Court Executive Board
Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2024 Charleston School of Law