Debt is a fact of life for solo and small firms which, like any small business, sometimes need somebody else’s money to help pay the bills. Too much debt, however, can outstrip a firm’s ability to pay, and put it out of business. The challenge is finding the right balance.

His blog has won multiple awards and his Twitter feed has been called a “must-read” for Canadian lawyers.

We're all taught to think of growth as a good thing – as long as it's your business and not your waistline under discussion. In fact it's counterintuitive to do anything to inhibit growth. But Carolynne Burkholder-James talks to two lawyers who say 'tis better to plan and control growth, than to simply sit back and watch it happen.

Being your own boss is great – until you need to kick around an idea or a problem with someone who knows what you're talking about. CBABC, following the lead of CBA-Alberta, has a solution: Sololink. It's an online forum that puts small and solo practitioners in touch with each other for support and feedback.

If population is the main source of power, then there's no question big firms have it all over the solo practitioner. But it's also true that small firms can leverage technology to make up for their lack of people power, and level the playing field, says James Careless.

Working with a not-for-profit organization can be good for the community, good for the soul – and good for a lawyer’s resumé. But as Len Polsky, Manager, Practice Review of the Law Society of Alberta in Calgary reminds us, working with, or serving on the board of, a non-profit group also brings with it a host of ethical considerations to keep in mind.

A tried and true way of getting your law firm noticed – and attracting new clients – is to make yourself available as a speaker. Public speaking takes you out of your usual circle, earns you notice as an expert on a topic, and is an affirmation of your stature within your profession. But how do you take that first step on the speakers’ circuit? Carl Friesen has some ideas.

There are a lot of myths about working in small towns – the work is dull, there’s nowhere to go, nothing to do. If you want to attract articling students and associates to practise in your town, you have to bust those myths wide open – while still being honest about what your town has to offer, says Ryan Armstrong, who suggests some tips for making it happen.

The difference between big-city law firms and small-town operations begins with size and the concomitant economies of scale available. Whereas big firms can afford to send recruiters to wine and dine prospective law students, small firms can have a hard time getting themselves on the map. Anna Choles and Suzette Golden-Greenwood offer some ideas for letting students know your firm exists, and for pitching the opportunities you can offer.

Going it alone can be the challenge of a lifetime – in every way that the word “challenge” can be understood. Whereas in a bigger firm there will likely always be a sounding board to discuss issues that arise, the solo practitioner has to deal with them single-handedly. Or maybe not – there are peer supports out there. James Careless explores some of the options.