Going solo from BigLaw: the first 90 days of running your own practice

What do you lose when you leave a large firm?

Most lawyers underestimate how much of their work was done by systems and people they never saw. Conflict checks, docketing, matter opening, billing, file storage, IT and administrative support all disappeared into the background. Alone, each one becomes your job or a vendor you must pick.

What should you set up in the first 90 days?

1. 1

   Days 1 to 14: the foundations

   Business structure, professional indemnity or malpractice cover, client money arrangements and engagement terms. Check your bar or regulator's rules before taking a first client.

2. 2

   Days 15 to 45: one home for every matter

   Create a matter record for each piece of work, with parties, status, key dates and next step. A Notion template such as MatterOS ($99, one payment) gives you this structure ready made.

3. 3

   Days 46 to 70: deadlines and time

   Give every deadline an owner and a consequence if missed. Log time as you work, not at month end.

4. 4

   Days 71 to 90: review and simplify

   Look at what you actually used. Remove what you did not, and write down the routines that worked.

What can wait, and what cannot?

• Cannot wait: conflict checking, engagement letters, deadline tracking, client money handling and insurance.
• Can wait: a website redesign, advanced automation, a client portal and elaborate reporting.
• Do not buy a tool for a problem you have not yet had.

• The Matter Method
• Virtual law firm setup
• Legal time tracking guide
• Practice management software cost

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set up a solo practice?

The legal and regulatory basics take the longest and depend on your jurisdiction. A working system for matters, deadlines and time can be running within a few weeks if you keep it minimal.

Do I need practice management software to start?

Not necessarily. Many solo lawyers start with a structured Notion workspace and add dedicated billing or accounting tools as they grow. See the cost guide for the comparison.

What is the biggest mistake new solo lawyers make?

Treating systems as something to build later. Without a record of matters and deadlines from the first client, the work lives in your head, which is the risk you left a large firm to manage.

Can MatterOS replace a large firm's infrastructure?

No. It gives you matter, action, time, team, evidence and research records. It does not do trust accounting, conflict databases or court-rules calendaring.