Pays the Bills ⤾

My CLE Seminars ⤾

None schedule now

BiblioAwesome ⤾
  • Typography for Lawyers
    Typography for Lawyers
    by Matthew Butterick
  • Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates
    Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation's Top Advocates
    by Ross Guberman
  • iPad at Work
    iPad at Work
    by David Sparks
« Going solo - what people have said to me. | Main | Wake up groggy heads, it's Mardi Gras »
Tuesday
Feb282006

My new law firm - Svenson Law Firm

The day after Mardi Gras is always a day of reflection for people in New Orleans.  This year, the "day after" is a special milestone: it's been six months since Katrina hit the the Gulf Coast and ravaged Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana.  For those of us who lived through the turmoil --and its bizarre aftermath-- the last six months has been a continual stream of reflection.  Like many people who lived in New Orleans before Katrina, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what really matters most in life (short answer: friends and family).   I've also thought a lot about what other changes (ones that I control) might be worth making.  Dreams that seemed not so pressing before Katrina now seem to be more urgent.   I've learned a lot from Katrina, as I'm sure many people have. One thing  Katrina taught us is that massive change can arrive very quickly, and have unpredictable results.  If uncontrolled massive change can come into your life then why not try to bring about a little purposeful change just to balance things out?  I've reflected on what changes I would make if I could

So, after months of reflection I've decided to try to practice law on my own.  Of course, it will be challenging.  And that's the best reason to do it.  The whole city of New Orleans faces enormous challenges. But  the city is in a great position to make significant improvements.  And that's how I feel about practicing law.  I want to make significant improvements in how I practice law, and the best way for me to do this is on my own.   It is with more than a large dose of sorrow that I announce I'm leaving Gordon, Arata  --the wonderful law firm where I've practiced law for the past eighteen years.  But  --effective today-- I'll be practicing under the rubric Svenson Law Firm LLC.
I'll continue handling the same types of business disputes that I worked on before, but with less overhead and a lower billable rate.  I'll strive to use non-hourly billable arrangements, and to use technology to increase productivity and effectiveness wherever possible. 

More information about my new firm is available at:  www.ernestsvenson.com
And, of course, you can always keep up with me here.

My new contact information is:
Ernest Svenson
Svenson Law Firm LLC
432 Henry Clay Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118-5724
Tel: 504.208.5199 | Fax: 504.324.0453
Email: esvenson@gmail.com

Reader Comments (23)

Best of luck on your new venture
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterSteven Cohen
Congratulations, and nice job on the web site. I've been thinking that a blog format, properly handled, can work well as a small or solo law firm's web site. You've shown everyone how it can be done.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterRay Ward
Best wishes, Ernie. I hope you'll be telling us about your new challenges here at EtheA.You've certainly made Carolyn Elefant's day.
Congratulations, and good luck!
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterMelody Wirz
Best of luck on the move Ernie! I started at my own new law firm today, too, so I'm definitely rooting for you.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterAaron
Good luck mate! You're a very brave man.
Ernie, Congratulations and good luck. You're facing an exciting and frightening time as you embark on your solo practice - I know what its like, I did it for 14 years.

Developing your support network will be critical to your success and you are miles ahead of others. Use the friendships and networks you developed at the firm and in the legal community; otherwise, solo practice can be lonely.

Let me know if I can be of help or provide any assistance or support.

Good Luck!
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterNerino Petro
Congrats on the decision and welcome to solodom. Been here for four years myself. Best of luck on everything.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterChuck
Congratulations from one of your buddies at Gordon Arata. We'll miss you a lot.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterSteve
Ernie, congratulations on your bold move. I hope you find your new practice exremely rewarding on all levels!

If I ever need local counsel, I know who to call.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterMike
Best wishes on your new (ad)venture.

Ernie the Attorney LLC would have beenmy first choice. ;)







March 1 | Unregistered CommenterJohn
Good luck. I'm jealous.
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterJeff
Congratulations and good luck!
March 1 | Unregistered CommenterE. McPan
Congrats and best wishes. Being solo is very rewarding and gives one a sense of freedom. Best of all we can take the cases and clients we want. As a solo, you are the partnership committee, the marketing committe and the IT department. You make all the decisions and they are your decisions. Again, congrats and best wishes.
Congrats Ernie. You're coming through the storm stronger than ever, as we all knew you would.
Buena Suerte Ernie.

Yo le deseo mucho éxito.



March 2 | Unregistered CommenterMark Zamora
Congratulations Ernie. I wish you the best of luck. Solo gives you a lot of freedom, but also the challenges of managing an office, which has nothing to do with the practice of law. Try to get the best people you can, they will make or break you. If I can provide you any advice please don't hesitate to ask. We all will be looking forword to your new adventures.
Congratulations on the move! Best wishes in your new practice.
March 2 | Unregistered CommenterChristine
Mazel Tov! The decision my partner and I made to go off on our own has been just about the best thing we've ever done, and I'm sure you'll do well.

I like your firm site, btw-- it inspires confidence and has an amiable feel to it.

Congratulations and best of luck on the move, Ernie! I started my own new law firm today, too, so I'm definitely pulling for you.
href=“http://www.freshstartwithus.com”> life after bankruptcy
March 2 | Unregistered Commenterdiane
Congratulations, and good luck. A very hopeful sign.-Alex
Hi ! Your site is very interesting. Thank you.
March 20 | Unregistered CommenterJameel

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.