My wife embroidered my logo onto a fleece! She’s the best.
Life has a way of moving along pretty quickly. I launched my new law practice to serve startups and nonprofits on the 6th of January 2019. And here I am a year later, having learned so much along the way. Here are five quick reflections from a year of having my own practice.
Gratitude. While I’m the only one with a Shuru Law email address, the list of people who have been helpful to me in the last year is endless. It seems that if you show up at events with a friendly smile and half a brain, people will give you a chance to get involved and be of service. Thank you so much to everyone who gave me an opportunity to add value to your endeavors.
Engagement. A big focus of my first year was to connect with the startup and nonprofit communities in Charlottesville (and beyond). There is so much happening in our town. While people are glad to have you join in, the landscape can sometimes be a little confusing or daunting. This introvert told himself early on that the best way to make the leap to a new community was to push off with both feet, and I’ve been gratified to find people who want me involved, including the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, where I serve on the board, and the Community Investment Collaborative, where I’ve provided “expert” office hours to entrepreneurs.
Service. My theory for why people might choose Shuru Law over other options revolves around two propositions: cost and service. As a sole practitioner, I’ve found that regardless of the administrative need (timekeeping, file management, billing, etc.), “there’s an app for that.” I can work from home, keep my overhead low and pass that efficiency on to clients with lower fees. In addition, I want to provide sound, real-world advice without being too hung up on the billable hour. A number of prospective clients have been understandably concerned about when they are being billed for something. They were burned in the past by Big Law. I’ve been pleased to help reset their expectations and build a new experience where they are not afraid to pick up the phone and call (or text!) their lawyer. So far, people seem quite pleased.
Opportunity. As a lawyer licensed in Virginia and the District of Columbia, there is no shortage of potential clients in the startup and nonprofit worlds. Especially in Charlottesville, I’ve discovered that business is booming. Who knows what tomorrow’s economy will look like and what challenges may unfold, but for right now, it’s full steam ahead.
Growth. As I look back on my first year, it feels like a promising start. I am always cautious to make predictions, but it seems like I am in position to connect with new clients and help them achieve their goals. Through my community involvement, I’ve gotten into some fascinating conversations that would have passed me by completely in a former career phase. I’m not yet sure that this new law practice is sustainable for the long term, but I am sure that it’s heading in the right direction, and I’m learning a lot and having fun along the way. Who could ask for more?
The Shuru Law journey continues in 2020…
What does 2020 have in store? If I knew that, I wouldn’t have my retirement money in an index fund. But with continued effort, I think this year could be an exciting year for Shuru Law and for my clients. What bold new adventures are you pondering? Reach out to me at rahul@shurulaw.com and let’s catch up.