I graduated from Georgia State Univ School of Law in May, took the july bar and was sworn in to the Georgia courts last month. I have been apply for jobs since January of this year with no success. I did have a clerking posting at a small law firm, but they dont have enough business to hire me full time.

I have my student loans in deferment, but i really want to work and learn. So, i plan on renting an office and starting my own practice. I would appreciate some advice from those in the forum who have experience running their own law practices.

I will be graduating in a year and half. I have contemplated doing the same. However, i worry that I will not have the practical skill (outside of classroom study) to properly service the clients. What type of law will you be doing? And how will you get clients??

If you have student loans, try working for the U.S. military JAG. Then you could get experience, a government reduction of debt, and you can learn a trade, rather than throwing up a shingle and husslin up the rif-raf.

I dont think hanging a shingle out and grunting your way into self employment as an attorney is smart or good for your clients. I realize that the "practice" of law is exactly that, but i would agree with acepr that you need some experience through an internship or other before you start malpracting yourself. You would be better off working for a small firm at minimum wage, learning whatever you can and then after a couple of years, trying it solo.

Be careful.

I started my own practice out of law school (07' and i have been self employed since. I love making my own schedule and working a file from start to finish. My no mistake, it has not been easy. In order to get prepared for a client matter i often spend nights and weekend reviewing files, researching matters and reading. I often wonder if i would have picked up information, techniques, and the law quicker if i started at a law firm. unfortunately, i didnt have the opportunity to work at a law firm as i didnt graduate with distinction from law school and I attended a 3rd tier law school in MN.

So, my advice: work at a law firm and learn a skill. Then, as you grow, build your practice and client base because when you are on your own, if you can not bring in the clients, then you will not make a living. Its that simple.

To amplify what racer_70 said: make your mistakes on someelses malpractice carrier.