For today's lawyer, it's too easy to simply show up - or even, not show up at all.  For all of the benefits that technology brings - like the ability to compete with biglaw like October Xemplar Kelly Phillips Erb or to open the door to new practice areas as technology did for September Xemplar Dalia Saper, technology can also take away the soul of legal practice.  Too many lawyers view technology not as a way to improve the quality of legal service that we deliver, but instead, as a tool to serve clients faster and cheaper, but not necessarily better - McLaw for the masses.  When solos rely on technology not just to displace the routine, pedestrian aspects of what we do but to replace ourselves entirely, we give up a little bit of our souls - and what gives us our value as solos in the process.

As Helen Parsonage's experience shows, what we lawyers bring to the table that matters most is our humanity.  Our doggedness in pursuing a case that blunt, objective analysis says can't be won, but from which we solos manage to snatch a victory nonetheless.  Our compassion in standing by our clients until the bitter end even if there's nothing else we can do to solve their problems.  We solos may not leave behind precedent printed on the pages of casebooks - but we can leave an imprint on the human heart simply by following Helen Parsonage's footsteps, and giving a damn - particularly when no one else does.

Solo practice may be personally fulfilling but it's not always high-profile.  Many solo and small firm lawyers will never grace the pages of the New York Times or the Cover of the ABA Journal or even The Xemplar website.  Likewise, only a small group of solo and small firm lawyers have the opportunity to set new legal precedent or change the law.  And yet, solo and small firm lawyers have the opportunity to change the world, one client at a time by being a lawyer who gives a damn, just like this month's Xemplar, Helen Parsonage.