Have you heard of SoloNet? If not, today’s LESA blog will fill you in on why roughly 380 sole practitioners and small firm Alberta lawyers have already joined this online community and why you should think about joining too.
We spoke to the Law Society of Alberta’s Jocelyn Frazer to learn more about how SoloNet allows lawyers to connect with each other to share valuable resources and build a community of practice.
SoloNet is an online community for lawyers who are in sole practice or in regional practice settings to connect and share practice information. … Lawyers can post emails. It’s like a list serve, but it’s not. … Lawyers can introduce themselves and raise issues of concern for them, so the topics range in variety. It could be practice issues relating to substantive questions, procedural issues, or somebody might be looking for recommendations for a book keeper. The conversations depend on the issues that are burning for each individual member, but there’s a wide range of topics. They can range from “How do I handle a difficult lawyer on the other side?” to “Where could I find a precedent?” and people do share precedents or make references to case law. Obviously, lawyers are responsible for their own content, and they need to exercise their own judgement when using the information, but it’s a way of sharing information among people who are in similar practice settings.”
While there are many benefits to SoloNet users, here are the top 4 reasons it makes sense to join:
1. Gain a community.
As Jocelyn explains, this is one of the benefits that SoloNet users are most grateful for.
Lawyers who are on their own may not always feel comfortable reaching out to people who work in large law firms, or may have limited access to different networking opportunities; they’re outside of the downtown area, for example, so CBA and other professional memberships may be less available to them. We’ve had conversations or comments on SoloNet that it’s like being in a big firm or like having a watercooler: you just ask people a question. So often when you’re in sole practice that is what you miss: just having a group of colleagues that you can bounce ideas off of.”
2. Discuss the issues that impact your practice.
With the range of practitioners on SoloNet, the shared conversations, suggestions, and resources touch on many different areas of law.
There is a real variety … [of] lawyers from many different areas of practice. Conversations with respect to wills & estates, real estate, and family law certainly seem to be paramount, but there will be business law questions, tax questions, … [and questions about] general practice management issues. The lawyers who participate are from a wide range of practice areas and levels of seniority; there are people ranging from articling students to very senior practitioners in certain areas.”
3. It is a forum for open conversations.
Lawyers should realize that SoloNet is meant to provide a platform for practitioners to discuss the issues that they need to find solutions for.
I think it’s important to say that the Law Society does not moderate the conversation, that it’s a confidential environment for lawyers. While we provide the infrastructure for SoloNet [and] the Practice Advisors participate from time to time, it’s separate from the regulatory environment of the Law Society. You don’t have people in the conduct department reading the conversation.”
4. It is free to join.
The resource is available at no cost to Law Society of Alberta members who work in solo or small firm settings.
You can learn more about registering for SoloNet on the Law Society’s website.
Save on Law and Practice Update
If you are a sole or small firm practitioner, you’ll find another resource developed with you in mind in LESA’s upcoming Law and Practice Update program. This two-day seminar offers substantive updates in 5 areas of the law, discusses practice management topics, and offers you opportunities to network with your colleagues. You can learn more about the Law and Practice Update in our blog with seminar chair Ingrid Meier or in the program brochure.
SoloNet users are in for a treat: there is special $100 registration discount available for you! Find the discount code on SoloNet, and register online to reserve your spot in the program.
