I’m currently an in-house AGC, but I’m trying stand-up a solo practice on the side. Currently, I have two clients for contract review, nothing crazy. However, I made a connection with international counsel who frequently have US law questions. They sent me an import/export client, which I have no experience in. Do you take on these clients and learn as you go? Or do you pass, depending on complexity etc? Being in-house, I’ve always had a learn as you go attitude, wonder how it applies to solo.

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No experience being solo, but I wonder if you might try to find a niche for your practice. In-house is usually generalist-type of work, they do a little of anything and everything.

Solo counsel probably become much more specialized.

Trade law is slammed right now, very very busy. If you have significant international connections and your company has an international presence, it could make sense to pick up trade law.

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I’d be very wary of any work that you’re not already comfortable handling. Solos make up about 1/3 of all legal mal claims in the US. I represent solo to mid-sized law firms as outside General Counsel, DM me if you ever want to chat law firm risk management and good luck!

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I think if you know someone specialized in trade law and she/he is able to give you general directions on some issues, then you can take those clients. The trade law issues asked by the international clients are similar most time.

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Interesting. We’re also standing up a small practice with two of us.
If you have some level baseline understanding of that import/export request, sure take it… otherwise I’d pass.

Yeah, I could certainly do something simple - respond to Form 28 or Form 29, file a protest etc. I’m waiting to hear from the client. What’s your practice area?

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