Small and Medium Law Firms
What constitutes a small or medium firm? The terms “small” and “medium” are relative, depending on the market or region within the U.S. For example, the size of a small or medium firm in New York City or Washington, D.C. is different than that in Denver or Cleveland.
A small firm can have a diversified practice, in that its attorneys practice in various areas of the law. Such a firm is known as a general practice firm. A small firm can also specialize in certain areas of law, such as patent, tax, or civil rights, and is referred to as a boutique firm because of its specialty practice area. Either type of firm can have sophisticated, complex practices with a diverse client base ranging from Fortune 500 companies to middle market firms to “Mom and Pop” businesses to individuals.
Georgetown-sponsored Recruiting Programs
Web Resources
- Martindale-Hubbell Directory
- Small Firm Business section of Law.com
- ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division
- Private Public Interest and Plaintiff's Firm Guide (Harvard Law)
- OCS Regional Firms List
- Georgetown Long Distance Job Search Handouts
- The 2012 Midsize Hot List (National Law Journal)
- Litigation Boutiques Hot List (National Law Journal)
- Benchmark Litigation - Plaintiff Firms
- How to Apply to Small, Medium, and Boutique Firms (Georgetown powerpoint)
- How To: Small and Medium Firms - Georgetown Fall 2011 webcast
- Program on Solo Practice - Georgetown Spring 2012 webcast
- Small Firm Panel - Georgetown Fall 2012 webcast
- From Biglaw to Boutiques: Small Firm Interviews (Above the Law, March 21, 2013)
Print Resources (available in the OCS Library)
- Choosing Small, Choosing Smart: Job Search Strategies for Lawyers in the Small Firm Market, Donna Gerson (NALP, 2001)
- How to Start and Build a Law Practice, Jay Foonberg (ABA 3rd edition 1991)
- Negotiating with Small Firms (NALP pamphlet 2004)
- Guide to Small Firm Employment (NALP pamphlet 2004)
- Small Firms, Big Opportunity: How to Get Hired (and Succeed) in the New Legal Economy (The New Lawyer's Survival Guide, Vol. 2) (2012)
