Solo Lawyer vs. Large Firm - Which Should You Choose?
When someone is in the research phase of choosing a
personal injury lawyer to represent them in a lawsuit, one thing they will have to decide is
whether they want a solo attorney or a large law firm. There are pros
and cons to each.
Pros and Cons of a Solo Attorney
A solo attorney (someone that runs their own law practice) will usually
have limited resources, so they limit their caseload. By limiting their
caseload, they can focus more time and attention on each individual case.
Because they can only take on so many cases at a time, they are usually
incredibly selective, only taking on cases they believe they can win.
Another potential advantage is that you won’t get passed off to
another attorney, and you will be able to have a closer relationship with
your legal counsel. Some downsides include lack of resources, busy schedule,
and too broad a focus (many solo practitioners handle multiple areas of
practice).
Pros and Cons of a Large Firm
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a large law firm to represent you
is that they will undoubtedly have the resources you need. This means
they have the financial capital to gain access to expert witnesses, accident
reconstructionists, and more. Another advantage is that most large law
firms are large for a reason, and will have the reputation that can secure
more favorable settlements than smaller law firms or solo practitioners.
A potential downside is that the client may not receive the same level
of personalized service one might receive with an individual practitioner.
