Book excerpt: This is a book for solo and small firm attorneys. No matter where you are in the process of building your firm's financial foundation, we've got the tools and information that can take you to the next level. There is no shame in not knowing how to handle your firm's finances: We've dealt with hundreds of attorneys who are great lawyers, but share this same problem to one degree or another. It's not your fault. The law school you attended prepared you to be a lawyer, but likely left you completely unequipped to handle the business side of practicing law. Most of them adhere to the idea that the practice of law is a lofty, mission-driven profession, aimed at serving clients and righting wrongs - a mission that should be untainted by the concerns of business. Unfortunately, many mission-driven firms don't have the opportunity to serve their clients for very long because they can't fund their mission. Don't let this happen to you.