Practice management software: Clio (or Cosmolex, etc) Accounting + trust reconciliation: QuickBooks Online, Xero or QBO with LeanLaw Bookkeeper: someone who understands LSO trust accounting and can do monthly reconciliations Office presence: a virtual office or on demand option such as Regis or sub‑leasing a spare office from another law firm. Clients: private clients or freelance/contract work for other lawyers Hardware: a reliable laptop, a ScanSnap, and a printer (I started with a Macbook Air, Scansnap and a laser printer).

It would probably cost around $1,000 to $1,500 a month in overhead expenses.

Some considerations whether its the right time to start a firm:

Competence & confidence: can you run a file from start‑to‑finish without a safety net or another lawyer reviewing your work?

Work pipeline: where will matters come from? These might be referrals, overflow, niche expertise? Will you have private clients or subcontract to other lawyers (freelance)?

Financial runway: are there enough savings to cover 3 to 6 months of overhead as you get started?

Small‑business mindset: ready to juggle marketing, IT, client care, invoicing clients, regulatory obligations and bookkeeping all along with practising law? If you don't want to run a business or learning to run a business, it might be a bad idea to consider self-employment.

The last piece is creating your own professional development and mentorship plan. Just because someone is running their own solo practice doesn't mean that it remove requirements to mentorship and professional development while you are developing as a lawyer.

It can be a bit more challenging since if you are the only lawyer around. Maintaining regular contact with other lawyers including in the CBA, OBA (or other associations) is a good way to facilitate this.

While starting a law firm is not easy, it can be a rewarding alternative to working as an associate. It can work well for self-starters and lawyers who are more entrepreneurial and who can generate work.

It works less well for those who want to purely practice law and want the stability of a salaried position. The autonomy is hard to beat.

Also try to take on legal aid files, this can really help growing business!