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Congratulations on striking out on your own!

Pick up a copy of Jay Foonberg's How to Start and Build a Law Practice. Foonberg's old and some of the information is outdated, but it's a pretty big book with a wealth of info for new solos. There's also Carolyn Elefant's Solo by Choice, and blogs such as Elefant's My Shingle, Lawyerist, and /u/KeithRLee's Associate's Mind.

I think standard advice for new solos is that networking is king. Your best business as a new solo comes from referrals from other attorneys. Build relationships early. Also, make connections with strong mentors in every area you practice in, especially if you have limited experience in that practice area.

If you haven't made an office-space decision yet, read up on the benefits/downsides of virtual offices (i.e. working out of home and meeting clients in Starbucks) or of office sharing (you don't have to partner up with another lawyer; just rent an underused corner of a larger office to save on rent).

Also, join/post on /r/lawyers. It gets more traffic than /r/lawfirm.

My law partner wrote this book. It is super helpful for small firm marketing. If you PM me your name and address, I will mail you a free copy. Unfortunately we don't have any of the e-versions to give out. Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732641110/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5Pf6CbE1HAZ3Y

Here are some books I'd recommend:

Changing Laws, Saving Lives: https://www.trialguides.com/collections/books/products/changing-laws-saving-lives

The Plaintiff Lawyer's Playbook: https://www.trialguides.com/collections/books/products/the-plaintiff-lawyers-playbook

Twelve Heroes, One Voice: https://www.trialguides.com/collections/books/products/twelve-heroes-one-voice

McElhaney's Trial Notebook: https://smile.amazon.com/McElhaneys-Trial-Notebook-James-McElhaney/dp/1590315030?sa-no-redirect=1

Winning at trial: https://smile.amazon.com/Winning-Winner-Highest-Professional-Excellence/dp/160156001X/ref=pd_sbs_14_13?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=160156001X&pd_rd_r=845a375c-7200-49f2-9dae-49f4c77c8820&pd_rd_w=yeBiQ&pd_rd_wg=kow2F&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=DZKRBF0S8HJ20R61HKTP&psc=1&refRID=DZKRBF0S8HJ20R61HKTP

Haven't yet seen anyone recommend this book. For many this is an indispensable resource for someone starting a solo practice.

FWIW, the author of this book says the best time to go solo is directly out of law school.

I second the main point is how do you make the firm money. Depending what type of law firm you are applying to, think about how they make money, by bringing in clients. What type of clients does the firm want to bring in, and how can you bring in those clients??

Also, I think equally important to what is in the letter is how the cover letter looks. There is a book called "Typography for Lawyers" by Matthew Butterick. Amazon link (https://www.amazon.com/Typography-Lawyers-2nd-Matthew-Butterick/dp/159839262X). You should buy that book for formatting your letter.

Additionally, think about how to present the letter. If emailed, it should be a PDF. If there are multiple documents, consider making a PDF portfolio instead of including multiple attachments. If in hard copy, buy yourself some nice paper.

I really like this one. There may be a newer edition. Plus, it's fun to say Foonberg

https://www.amazon.com/Start-Practice-Career-American-Association/dp/1590312473/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WP4PV3DP7NLO&keywords=start+law+firm&qid=1565391183&s=books&sprefix=start+law+%2Cstripbooks%2C162&sr=1-1

Two general/background books I've found valuable that will at least get you asking the right (directed) questions are:

• Pretrial Litigation
  
  
• Writing for Litigation
  
  Hope this helps.

I think you should discuss it with your prospective supervising attorney. It's a legit question, I think.

Also, if you move forward with the position, it would be good for you to have an open dialogue with your supervising attorney. So that, if you did something that was unintentionally offensive to a client or co-worker, it could be brought to your attention without a lot of drama.

Edit: Also, if you're of an academic bent, I bet Dreaming in Chinese would be interesting and helpful.

Networking is a long game. It sounds like you're doing a lot of things right.

You may want to look at Gary Vaynerchuk's books for some ideas. I'd start with Jab Jab Jab Right Hook.

You may want to do some niche development, not just in your town but in the surrounding areas as well.

Edit: spelling

I am curious, why not just buy bigger drives? You can easily get 10 TB per drive.

While I agree on the Scansnap for the office, it might also be handy to throw one of these: http://amzn.com/B002R0BFAA (VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner) - in your briefcase. In our office, its very handy for scanning smaller blurbs (like property descriptions).

I would also read this timeless classic on the subject (you can get it used) - how to start and grow a law firm.
https://www.amazon.com/Start-Practice-Career-American-Association/dp/1590312473/ref=asc_df_1590312473/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312186864233&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12525881901966854658&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007489&hvtargid=pla-680690022672&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62860525100&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312186864233&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12525881901966854658&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007489&hvtargid=pla-680690022672

Machine: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Binding-Machine-Star-5006501/dp/B008WJYMTQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501360253&sr=8-2&keywords=gbc+binding+machine

Combs: https://www.amazon.com/GBC-CombBind-0-5-Inch-Diameter-Capacity/dp/B0006HUNBS/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1501360320&sr=11&keywords=gbc+combs

Front Cover: https://www.amazon.com/GBC-Presentation-Binding-Pre-punched-CombBind/dp/B000V74R2E/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1501360357&sr=1-1&keywords=gbc+clear+view+presentation+covers

Rear Cover: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Binding-Presentation-Covers-5217001/dp/B0092TUO10/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1501360458&sr=1-1-fkmr2&keywords=gbc+linen+black

Check this book out. https://www.amazon.com/Untangling-Fear-Lawyering-Four-Step-Powerful/dp/1641053526

We use these, but ours have pockets on the front which are handy for principal documents. These are used for general correspondence alongside a lever arch for any court docs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Transfer-Spring-Pocket-Foolscap/dp/B000I6NTFE