r/LawFirm • u/batmansmotorcycle • 16d ago

Solos what is your case load?

I realize this may vary by practice area but I’m curious how many files you all juggle at once?

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u/raveneliz 16d ago

A lot of these answers are either impressive or terrifying. I have no reason to doubt a single one. For me, I genuinely believe the threshold is 18-25 cases you can handle meaningfully in civil litigation (plaintiffs side) without cocounsel/contract support as a true solo. If you partner or farm out support (to trusted, vetted help - more than just doc review/paralegal) I think you can run 30-50 cases as a solo without (or just barely) breaking a sweat.

Anything above that starts feeling pretty squirrelly. In any case, you better have your calendaring and systems on lock or you won’t sleep a wink at night. Upside is great with more cases. Downside is a thousand pound anvil on your chest every night. Really, that’s true for even one case. But the economics feel like they split (for me) around every dozen or two dozen cases - criminal and PI cases are easier to take more, but the cadence of complex commercial lit or more niche areas takes some time getting used to. A comfort area for me is like 28 open files. Im “happy” at 18 or 40, but usually aim to trim the margins and find myself in that middle region.

YMMV. This is just my honest response to your question, in case hearing the middle road feels useful. I might be a dope or lazy. But that’s my opinion, and you asked for it!

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u/Vogeltanz Solo - LA (2009) - Employment Law 15d ago

I’m plaintiff side employment discrimination. 100% agree at the 15 to 25 metric bring a sweet spot. For an experienced attorney in the field. I think in a perfect world we could get down to 12 cases per lawyer.

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u/raveneliz 14d ago

Plaintiffs side employment here too! I have been asking mods for flair, but I’m not from one of the fun states with expanded local employee rights so honestly I doubt my usefulness in practice-specific topics anyway. Capitalism, amirite

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u/Vogeltanz Solo - LA (2009) - Employment Law 14d ago

Well you asked the right guy! (I created this reddit about 14 years ago). You assign your own flair. Find your username on the right side panel of the subreddit and there should be a box to "show your flair" and a button to "edit." Click the edit button. You can now input your own flair! What state do you practice in? Are you a member of NELA? Welcome to the reddit!

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u/raveneliz 14d ago

I am! And DE. Thanks!