Letter From the Chair

By Renee N. G. Stackhouse

Renee Stackhouse is a San Diego trial attorney and founder of Stackhouse, APC who focuses on plaintiff’s personal injury, military, and criminal defense. She is Chair of the CLA Solo & Small Firm Section, Immediate Past President of California Women Lawyers, President of the CWL Foundation, and sits on the San Diego County Bar Association. She is faculty at the prestigious Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and the founder of MSheLE.com. She can be reached at Renee@StackhouseAPC.com.

Am I alone in feeling that there is a perception that a solo or small firm is not "on the same level" or as "prestigious" as a big firm? It seems that the belief is "the bigger the firm, the better." Why is that? And, more importantly, do we unwittingly perpetuate it?

The last time someone asked you where you worked did you enthusiastically give them your firm name and elevator pitch? Or did you murmur, "I own my own firm" or "I’m a solo" ?