Sorry for the alt account, looking for some advice here.
TL;DR- Should I cold call a local firm about expanding their scope of practice to include my specialty?
I currently do not practice, I work for the feds in immigration. I enjoy my job and, based on my reviews, I am very good at my job. However, I am kind of looking to move to something less time intense for me. My father owns a small business, worth about $1.5mil, and brings in around $75k yearly after taxes. I'd like to run it. But it doesn't take very much time to run it, and I would need to keep myself busy. I'm thinking about practicing immigration law on the side, part time.
Knowing immigration is not a problem, I know the benefit side front and back. My problem is I do not know the business side of being a lawyer. Hanging my own shingle is a possibility, however I would be lost. And I do not like feeling lost.
I live in a small town, with other small towns around. Nobody practices immigration law. But, I was thinking, what if I talk one of these firms into taking me on a contractual basis? I could bring my immigration experience, they would have to do very little for me.
Would this kind of proposal be met with laughter? How would I approach them so they take me seriously? Is this plan stupid? I would be open to learning other practice areas, but I would expect a salary then. Otherwise, I would be fine being limited to a percentage of the fees I collect.