By Brenda Lopez
The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in my decision to work for myself. My tenure as a Senior Associate Attorney came to an end in June 2020 when I decided not to return to the office in person on a full-time basis. After working for the firm for nearly six years, I was left with two choices: either work for another firm or work for myself. I chose the latter rather quickly after balancing the pros and cons.
Working for someone else meant I would be obligated to play by their rules. This would range from things like abiding by a minimum billable hour requirement, no choice over the cases I handled, and having no voice regarding the firm culture or branding. Of course, working for a firm would allow me to have a steady flow of income, and work with a full staff.
Running my own law practice would allow me to have a say in the brand, the clients, and my work schedule. However, working for myself would be a financial risk. There would be no guarantee of income, yet my bills were guaranteed to keep coming in monthly.
When I wrote out the pros and cons, I realized what was important: I wanted to have a say in the marketing, I wanted a firm that reflected my values, and flexibility over my schedule. This became an even bigger priority because my family learned earlier this year that my father was diagnosed with cancer. So, not only was I now committed to serve my community in several new positions, but I also wanted and needed to spend as much time as possible with my father. Running my own firm was the only way I could guarantee the flexibility that I, my family, and our community needed.
Once I decided to work for myself, I started a checklist of all that was needed to be able to do so. Luckily, I had run a solo practice my first two years of practice and simply needed to retrace my steps. Within three business days, my solo practice was up and running. Then, five months later, I became a Founding Partner of Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP (PLBK).
I knew I needed to keep costs low because I was not sure when my first client would be retained or whether I would have a steady flow of clients wanting to retain me. My relationship with vendors helped me keep costs low as many offered discounted rates. I was able to secure office space at a reduced rate given the pandemic.
With the pandemic, networking now took the form of social media, YouTube, and Zoom. I embraced this new forum as it has allowed me to broaden the net of people I connect with. I found that more people were logging into Zoom meetings from outside of the downtown area whom I rarely got to see at live events. Also, YouTube videos and social media enhanced my visibility. The pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty, including within the area of family law. I was asked to be a guest speaker on La Poderosa, a local radio station, and in a video interview for the San Diego County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service to discuss the pandemic induced changes to family law. I happily agreed to make these appearances, which reached a wide audience. Colleagues have also offered to interview me on their YouTube channels to help offer guidance to their viewers and to help me with marketing.
I will never forget the words that the Hon. Patricia Guerrero, an Associate Justice for the Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District in California, said to me during an orientation at the Sixth Avenue Courthouse in 2012. She told us to guard our reputation and that it took only one bad act to damage it forever. I took her words to heart and have tried to be professional and courteous in my practice, while maintaining my strong work ethic. I think it is because of this that I have welcomed a steady stream of referrals from my colleagues, former clients, and friends.
It is strange to think that even in these uncertain times, happiness and success can be found. The pandemic has reminded me of what is important in life and pushed me to become my own boss, again.