Starting Your Own Legal Practice – Beyond Legal Skills

By Emmie de Kock

Most law degrees don’t expressly teach these skills. If you intend to own and operate your own legal practice, you must intentionally develop them alongside your legal expertise.

Every lawyer is different, and so is every legal practice. If you’ve never launched a business before, the process may feel overwhelming—especially in a competitive legal market. It may feel urgent to secure clients immediately, but it’s more important to spend time first developing your practice and refining your offerings.

Here are five key decisions to make early:

1. Legal Services – Decide which services you will offer based on demand, your skills, and personal preferences. Narrowing your focus can help you stand out.
2. Preferred Clients – Identify your target market. Will you serve paying clients or run a pro bono clinic? Will you operate locally, provincially, or nationally?
3. Practice Name – Ensure compliance with the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, check trade mark availability, and choose a name which can work easily online.
4. Business Structure – Decide whether to operate as a sole proprietor or an incorporated company. Consider factors such as your market positioning and tax implications.
5. Support Network – Going solo doesn’t mean going alone. Seek financial backing, coaching or mentorship, and personal support from family or friends.

Starting a legal practice is both a professional and entrepreneurial journey. The sooner you combine legal skill with business acumen, the stronger your foundation for long-term success.

LawyerFirst Coaching & Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers professional business coaching to help lawyers start and grow successful legal practices. Contact: www.lawyerfirst.co.za.