With the legal economy still struggling many attorneys, including young attorneys, are going solo and starting their own firm.
Finding clients is one of the most difficult parts of going solo. Don’t use that as an excuse to undervalue your time.
Do not bargain over your rates
Disclaimer: if you just started your own firm, you should not be charging $350 an hour. Other than that, most newly solo attorneys I know ask around to make sure they have a reasonable rate. Assuming you have done your homework, your rate is probably reasonable.
With that in mind, stand your ground on your rate. When you drop your rate at a client’s request, that can imply that you are not confident in your abilities and your experience. It also shows that your client may not respect your abilities and time–which means they may continue to try and walk all over you as the case progresses.
It’s one thing to offer to cut your rate for a reason that you decide (do this sparingly). It’s another thing to cut your rate at a client’s request. Stand your ground and make sure you set the right precedent for your attorney-client relationship.
Your time is valuable
Let’s say you spend two hours a day working on a case at a reduced rate. That’s two hours you could be spending on marketing, administrative tasks, or other cases. Sometimes the best case is the case that you decide not to take.
Continued, link to article: http://lawyerist.com/suddenly-solo-value-time/