My decision not to retire isn’t affected by Company rules or regulations, statutes, or unrealistic ideas about sitting on your butt all day contemplating your navel. Retirement too often involves dying sooner. I have many retired friends who keep active, socially and intellectually, which is fine. But, solo lawyers can be lawyers all the time, and take a break when they want. I can work all day, if I want to, or not at all. Solos enjoy a freedom that group practice cannot provide. In a group practice, there are other people to answer to, and to be responsible for. Other persons’ problems are the problems of the firm. The more people in a practice, the likelier it is that a problem will arise, and each problem demands money and time to resolve. Granted, a solo trial practice can be dominated by court deadlines and client requirements. But, as a solo who doesn’t do litigation anymore, I can concentrate on matters that I can control reasonably. There isn’t a lot of monetary reward in solo practice, as a rule; but, freedom doesn’t have a price. Do you want to work as much or as little as you like, until the end? Solo practice is the way to go. Retire? What is it that you think is so great about retirement?
