The Power of Solo and Small Firm Advocacy - Originally published in Trial magazine | August 2026

Trial lawyers who practice in small firms know what it feels like to stand alone at counsel’s table, facing a defense team that could fill a jury box. But size doesn’t equal strength. The real advantage belongs to the lawyer who knows the case best, connects most deeply with the client, and tells the story the jurors will never forget.

Personal connection as a strategy. 

I spent a brief time at a large firm where I was responsible for hundreds of files. Every day felt like triage, putting out fires instead of building cases.

Today, I cap my caseload at 50 clients. Every one of them has my personal cellphone number. I’m the only person they ever speak to about the substance of their case. That personal connection doesn’t just make clients happy. It makes my representation stronger.

Small firms are built on relationships. 

That deeper connection builds trust and credibility. Jurors respond more powerfully when they see a client whose lawyer truly knows their story.

This individualized approach helps uncover powerful testimony and evidence that ultimately drives the case to success.

Use your pleadings to frame the narrative. 

In focus groups and at trial, jurors frequently share that they were more influenced by the quality of the storytelling than by the number of attorneys sitting at the defense table. Use photos, videos, journals, and testimony about ordinary life to humanize your client. Treat your complaint as a strategic communication tool:  A well-framed complaint that captures what truly happened-beyond just the legal claims-can set the tone for how opposing counsel perceives your client and their case.

Preparation builds confidence. 

Master every document, timeline, and injury. A trial lawyer who knows every fact can outmatch a larger team that misses half the story. In my experience, big firms often overstaff but underprepare. Be the first to offer demonstratives, timelines, and visuals. Know the rules of evidence and civil procedure cold-don’t give your opponent procedural openings.

Preparation isn’t glamorous, but it’s the most effective equalizer a solo lawyer has. The more you know the case, the more confident and credible you are in every interaction, from discovery hearings to cross-examination.

Agility is a competitive edge. 

No two cases are the same, and smaller firms aren’t trapped in one-size-fits-all playbooks.Adjust your strategy as facts evolve, dig deeper, and follow every lead. Flexibility is where small firms shine. We can pivot quickly, make creative arguments, and pursue issues that larger firms might overlook in favor of efficiency. I’ve found that adaptability often makes the difference between a good result and a great one.

Multiply your capacity. 

Solo doesn’t mean alone. Use tools that expand your reach: outsource discrete tasks; use customizable templates for pleadings and discovery; and leverage artificial intelligence for assistance in compiling, drafting, and summarizing. Join AAJ list servers that apply to your practice area and share insights. Other members will share back.

The fastest way to expand your resources is often to tap into a community that has already solved the problem you’re facing. For example, the document libraries, list servers, and institutional knowledge available through AAJ can save countless hours of work. Collaboration doesn’t dilute your independence-it amplifies your strength.

Use discovery and the rules as tools. 

Serve tight, targeted discovery requests. Not every objection warrants judicial intervention, and sometimes the better strategy is to ignore a distraction rather than give it oxygen. When the defense obstructs, file clean, reasonable motions to compel. A motion to compel does more than obtain information. It helps establish your credibility with the court.

Know the procedural rules well enough to use them effectively. Push back when a proposed confidentiality order exceeds what the rules allow. Insist that electronically stored information be produced in a reasonably usable format. When a defendant claims relevant information cannot be located require them to explain why. When the record supports it, don’t hesitate to seek sanctions.

Solo and small firm lawyers bring something to the courtroom no one else can: the preparation, agility, and authenticity that shift the narrative in a trial. You don’t need to equal the defense firm’s size or their resources. You just need to outthink them, outwork them, and outsmart them where it counts.