Dear Solo Attorney: You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself

If you’re a solo practitioner, I want to say this up front:

You are doing A LOT.

You’re the lawyer, the business owner, the rainmaker, the paralegal, the IT department, the billing team, the receptionist (and maybe also the person picking up the dry cleaning on your lunch break).

It’s impressive. But it’s also exhausting.

One of the biggest challenges we see with solo attorneys is letting go—especially when it comes to delegating legal work. I get it. Your name is on the door. Your reputation is everything. You’ve worked hard to build trust with your clients, and the idea of handing off even a small part of the work can feel risky.

But here’s the truth: you can’t grow—or breathe—if you insist on doing everything yourself.

Let’s talk about how to delegate when you’re a solo and delegation feels impossible.

1. Think of delegation as capacity insurance

You might not need help every single day, but what happens when three cases heat up at once? Or your kid gets the flu? Or your biggest client suddenly drops a pile of work in your lap? Having a trusted freelance attorney in your corner gives you breathing room before you hit the wall.

2. Start small, stay sane

You don’t need to hand off a huge case. Try something small—a research assignment, discovery responses, a contract review. Get a feel for how it works. You’ll be surprised how freeing it feels to take one thing off your plate. What’s that one thing that you hate doing? Delegate it!

3. Let go of perfection

As solos, we get used to doing things our way. But done is better than perfect—especially when you’re burning out trying to do it all. Freelance lawyers aren’t trying to replace you—they’re there to support you, so you can focus on the work that really needs your expertise.

4. Build a relationship

Delegating gets easier when you’ve built a level of trust with the person you’re working with. At Montage, we help you connect with freelance lawyers who get it—smart, reliable lawyers who’ve been in your shoes and want to help you succeed.

5. Remember why you went solo

You didn’t go out on your own to be buried under admin and busywork. You did it for freedom, flexibility, autonomy. Delegation is how you protect that freedom and create space for the work (and life) you actually want.

You don’t have to carry it all. You don’t have to build it all alone.

At Montage, we’re here to support solos who are ready to breathe a little easier—and practice law on their own terms.

We are so happy to help!