San Francisco Attorney Christopher Lapidus Reflects on Solo Practice Experience and Its Impact on Firm Practice in The Recorder

06.03.2026

Stinson LLP attorney Christopher Lapidus authored an article for The Recorder, "Young Lawyers Take Note: 'I Left a Firm to Go Solo and Came Back a Better Lawyer,'" in which he reflects on his experience running a solo legal practice and offers practical advice for early-career attorneys considering alternative career paths.

In the article, Lapidus draws on his experience building a solo practice for approximately two years, during which he grew a client base of roughly 20 clients and managed dozens of matters across business litigation, real estate and estate planning. He uses that experience to highlight lessons for younger lawyers navigating early career decisions, particularly around developing judgment, evaluating opportunities and understanding how legal work connects to business realities.

Lapidus writes that practicing independently required him to evaluate not only legal issues but also business priorities, resource allocation and client expectations in real time. He notes that this experience fundamentally changed how he approaches client counseling, including how he communicates advice, assesses risk and considers practical outcomes.

He further reflects on how returning to firm practice reinforced those lessons, particularly in areas of efficiency, communication and business development. Lapidus concludes that his solo experience made him "a more deliberate and effective lawyer in my day-to-day practice."

Lapidus advises clients on complex business litigation matters involving commercial disputes, consumer financial services litigation and other civil litigation issues.

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