From Big Law to Your Own Law: Small Steps, Big Wins

Leaving Big Law isn’t just a career change—it’s a shift in identity.

You’ve spent years building your name under someone else’s letterhead, answering to partners, chasing billable hours, and navigating a system that wasn’t always aligned with your values. And now… here you are. Ready to carve your own path.

Scary? Yes.
Exciting? Absolutely.
Worth it? More than you know.

At MoreMax, we’ve helped dozens of legal professionals make this leap—from seasoned attorneys going solo to immigration lawyers launching firms grounded in service and heart. And if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this: you don’t need to build the whole thing today.

You just need to move your feet.

Start Where You Are—Not Where You Think You Should Be

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear reminds us: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Translation? Dreaming of the freedom and purpose that solo practice offers is beautiful—but it won’t come to life unless you build habits that support the vision.

Start with:

✅ A single hour blocked out weekly to sketch your business plan
✅ Writing down what kind of client you actually want to serve
✅ A recurring reminder to reach out to one trusted contact per week

That’s it. No need to build the empire in a weekend. Just commit to showing up—tiny, intentional moves that stack over time.

You’re Not Meant to Do This Alone

The mistake many solo attorneys make? Trying to be the paralegal, the marketer, the IT team, the receptionist, the SEO expert, and the legal genius—all in one.

Cue Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Who Not How: your growth isn’t about asking “How do I do this?” It’s asking, “Who can help me do this?”

That’s where your power lives.

You don’t need to know how to build a website—but you do need someone who does. You don’t need to master cybersecurity overnight—but you need someone to guard your client data like it’s gold. (Spoiler: it is.)

At MoreMax, we often act as the “who” behind so many legal “hows.” Whether it’s tech support, compliance, cloud tools, email migration, or just giving you peace of mind—leaning on the right people is what allows you to stay in your zone of genius.

You’re Not Starting From Scratch—You’re Starting From Experience

Let’s be honest: the Big Law world taught you a lot.

How to handle pressure. How to juggle high-stakes work. How to manage clients. Maybe even how not to treat your team.

Take that hard-earned experience and filter it through your own values. Want to build a client-first firm? Go for it. Want to focus on underserved immigrant families? You’ve got a clear runway. Want to skip the office lease and work from your sunlit kitchen table? That’s the beauty of solo practice.

There’s no one-size-fits-all model anymore. Just a clear question: What do you want this to look like for you?

🧭 Your Game Plan: What to Do First (and What Can Wait)

So you’ve made the decision, you’re going solo. Or maybe you’re still quietly exploring it. Either way, the key now is clarity over chaos. You don’t need a thousand things done. You just need the right things done in the right order.

Let’s break it down into three clear phases:
1. Foundation → 2. Formation → 3. Forward Motion

1️⃣ Foundation: Get Clear on Your Why + Who

Before you print business cards or build a website, get rooted.

🧠 Mindset & Identity Check

Why are you starting this firm? Freedom? Purpose? Lifestyle? All of the above?
Who do you really want to serve? What kind of law lights you up?
What kind of life do you want outside of work?

📝 Small Step Habits (Atomic Habits style)

Journal 10 minutes daily on what your ideal day looks like
Start talking to other solos about what they wish they knew
Block off “CEO Time” once a week to plan and dream

You’re laying the emotional concrete here. Don’t skip it. It’s what will hold your structure steady when things get hard.

2️⃣ Formation: Start Building the Frame

Now let’s talk brass tacks. You’re creating something real now. Here’s what to focus on early:

📂 Legal + Business Setup

Decide your firm name
Register your business (LLC, PLLC, etc.)
Get your EIN from the IRS (free and easy)
Open a business bank account
Secure malpractice insurance

🔧 Tech + Tools

Get a professional email domain (you@yourfirm.com)
Choose between Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
Set up a basic website (you can always improve it later!)
Pick a case management system (even a simple one to start)
Talk to someone about cybersecurity—especially if you’re remote

🙋‍♀️ Who Not How Moment
This is when you call in your “whos.” Need help setting up email? Website? Backups? That’s what we do at MoreMax so you don’t burn energy figuring it all out solo.

3️⃣ Forward Motion: Go from Quiet to Visible

Once the wheels are turning, it’s time to show up and let people know you exist.

🌐 Online Presence

Launch your basic website with your services, bio, and contact info
Claim your Google Business Profile
Create a LinkedIn profile (or refresh it to reflect your new firm)
Start posting small updates—progress, questions, lessons learned

📣 Outreach & Referrals

Email past clients (if ethically allowed) and let them know what you’re doing
Tell friends, family, and trusted professionals in your network
Partner with local immigration consultants, real estate agents, or accountants
Ask for testimonials and reviews

💸 Money Moves

Set up flat fees, retainers, or basic billing templates
Learn how to accept credit cards or online payments
Track income and expenses (use a simple system like QuickBooks or even a spreadsheet to start)

Bonus: Don’t Forget These

📅 Build a weekly routine that includes marketing, admin, and downtime
🔐 Back up everything. Seriously.
💬 Join a community (online or local) for solo/small firm lawyers—you’re not in this alone

Every successful firm started with a blank document and a blinking cursor. You’re just at the beginning of a beautiful chapter.

One small habit.
One clear action.
One bold move.

If you need a team who’s helped dozens of lawyers go from “Where do I start?” to “I’ve got this”—you know where to find us.

We’ll help you get the tech, tools, and support aligned so you can focus on building the practice (and life) you want.