Law firm associates have a nasty tendency to pack up their toys and go start their own law firms. Keeping them in our employ, doing the work which needs doing, is difficult. The grass is often greener elsewhere. They\u2019re tempted by other offers or, quite often, the option of opening their own practices. The reality of today\u2019s marketplace and economic environment is that your associate, practicing on his own, in a low overhead situation, has a decent chance of making more money than you in your larger firm. The resourceful, aggressive, nimble solo practitioner is often the most profitable lawyer in the marketplace.