Running a Monthly Office Hours Session for Your Peers

Running a solo practice can be isolating, and even in a small firm the owners often have no peer to ask. Big decisions can feel lonely, and there is rarely anyone outside your own walls to ask whether a fee structure, a marketing idea, or a hiring plan makes sense. A monthly office hours session with a handful of peers fixes that at almost no cost.

What office hours are

Office hours are a recurring, informal meeting where participants bring real questions and get practical answers from the group. They are not a lecture or a networking mixer. The value comes from specific problems and honest feedback.

Choose a format

Keep it simple and consistent:

• Length: 60 minutes
• Size: four to eight people, enough variety without crowding
• Frequency: monthly, at the same time and day
• Platform: any video call tool, with cameras on if possible

A reliable agenda

1. Check-in (10 minutes): each person shares one win and one challenge from the last month.
2. Hot seats (35 minutes): two or three people each present a problem for about ten minutes. The group asks clarifying questions, then offers suggestions.
3. Commitments (10 minutes): everyone states one action they will take before the next session.
4. Wrap-up (5 minutes): confirm the next date and who will bring a topic.

Ground rules that keep it safe

Set expectations at the start and repeat them often:

• Confidentiality: do not share client names or identifying facts, and do not discuss privileged information
• No solicitation or hard selling to the group
• Respect different practice areas and approaches
• Give feedback that is specific and kind

Remember that peers are not giving you legal or ethics opinions. If a question involves a rules issue, consult your bar’s ethics resources.

Find your people

Start with lawyers you already know: classmates, local bar section contacts, or people you meet at CLE events. Invite three or four and keep the group small at first. Look for peers who are at a similar stage but not direct competitors, so people can speak freely.

Keep the group going

Rotate who facilitates, and send a short recap with each person’s commitment after every session. Groups usually fade because no one owns the logistics, so assign one organizer and give them an easy template.

Know when to change things

If attendance drops or the conversation turns into complaining, adjust. Shorten the call, add a theme for each month, or bring in an outside guest occasionally.

Your next step

Write a short invitation today and send it to three solo or small-firm lawyers you respect, with a proposed date next month. Prepare the agenda above so the first session runs smoothly.