Solo Contendere : How to Go directly from Law School into the Practice of Law Without Getting a Job

"Lawyers don't need jobs. All we really need is work - we need clients to pay us for what we do." Writing for disillusioned new attorneys in a shrinking marketplace, law professor and trial attorney Marc Garfinkle shows how a newly admitted attorney can go into practice without any experience. Preaching a gospel of defensive practice, he offers warnings, tips, tricks of the trade, and some of those things that "all lawyers know." "Know your stuff and know your depth," he says. "Don't take cases that two or more lawyers have worked on before you." He warns about problematic clients, and shows how to withdraw safely from a case. He warns against having the only known copy of a document. He tells how to make a business plan, how to get work from lawyers, how to build a good reputation. The state bar associations of Ohio, Missouri, and Colorado publish their own versions of Solo Contendere for distribution to their members. Informational and inspirational, easy to read and brimming with the author's enthusiasm for his subject, this book is a blueprint for the new lawyer who wants to have clients, but has no legal experience. "Finally! A book that tells you it's okay to go right out on your own. Marc Garfinkle shows you how to put your law degree to good use from Day One. Here's to finding work instead of looking for a job! Great book!!" Danny Alvarez, Sr., Stetson J.D., Miami LL.M "This is no law school textbook! It's an easy read, simple, straight-forward, and full of insight and clever advice." Zak Eagle, Boston U. School of Law "This book is fantastic! And it's hard to put down." Derrick Upchurch, Seton Hall Law School "$olo Contendere should be MUST reading for every law student and newly-admitted attorney. I only wish it had been available when I started practicing." Cynthia Sharp, Esq., J.D., LL.M. "The Sharper Lawyer" "Intelligent, witty and engaging...essential reading for anyone wanting to open a law practice in the new millenium." Laura Glick, Esq.

Marc Garfinkle went solo right out of law school (Hastings '78) in San Francisco. Today he is solo in New Jersey with over over thirty years at the bar. He is also Adjunct Professor of Persuasion and Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School where he also teaches for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). He is Public Defender in Livingston, NJ. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the New Jersey State Bar Association, and the Association for Continuing Legal Education Administrators. (ACLEA). Marc is a past Ethics Investigator and Chair of the New Jersey Supreme Court District (VB) Attorney Ethics Committee. Marc has a regular column "Mentor Mindfulness" that appears regularly California State Bar Association's New Esquire Magazine. In addition to "$olo Contendere," Marc has written the popular "Hip-Pocket Guide to Testifying in Court," "The New Lawyer's Hip-Pocket Guide to Appearing in Court," the "Law Enforcement Officer's Hip-Pocket Guide to Testifying in Court" and "The Hip-Pocket Guide to Speaking in Public."