Dimitrios Moscholeas, Esq., Solo Practitioner (Attorney)

Working as a solo practitioner has both pros and cons, just like any other attorney. Some of the pros include complete freedom over what cases they work on and making their own destiny. Some of the cons include a lower average salary compared to private practice attorneys and less support staff to help you in than you would have in private practice.

Solo practitioners enjoy various benefits that larger firm practitioners may lack, such as complete freedom over the cases they choose and the nature of their practice. That being said, there are some downsides to becoming a solo practitioner, including reduced staffing and a lower average salary as compared to larger firm practitioners. All in all, you should weigh your options and consider becoming a solo practitioner if it is the right fit for you.


1. Why did you decide to become a solo practitioner?

Because it seemed like a uniquely challenging yet ultimately rewarding feat at the time and I happen to like challenges.

2. What is the best part of being a solo practitioner?

Being able to work from home in your sweatpants whenever feasible!

3. What is the worst part of being a solo practitioner?

Guess how many people staff your billing, marketing, IT department... Just guess! [Yes, it's just you flying solo (pun intended.)]

4. What advice would you give to others looking to become a solo practitioner?

Remain patient, committed and optimistic. Save up before starting your own practice. Keep your overhead low. If you don't have a sense of humor about life in general, well, get one!

5. What is a typical day like for you as a solo practitioner?

Check email, LinkedIn messages, voice messages, texts, Facebook messages; try to reply to each one, even if only to say that I have received that person's message and I will properly reply later. Review, research, draft. Review, research, draft. Talk to clients/co-counsel/opposing counsel. Network whenever possible. See family. Go to the gym if possible. Repeat.

6. Is there anything else that is important to know about you and your practice, or that you would like to add?

My main area of focus is still Intellectual Property, which I continue to find intriguing. But like most solos, I've had to branch out to other areas of law, adding to the overall challenge and excitement at the same time. But I always try to know my limitations and avoid becoming a general practitioner.

I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank former Dean John Feerick and Profs. Hugh Hansen and Whitmore Gray of Fordham Law School for their unwavering support and encouragement.

Bio of Dimitrios Moscholeas

Dimitrios Moscholeas graduated cum laude in 2007 from New York's Fordham University School of Law, where he was an Alexander S. Onassis scholarship recipient and that year's winner of the Emily C. and John E. Hansen Award. Dimitrios is also an alumnus of Warwick University School of Law in the UK and Athens University School of Law in Greece.

Dimitrios is a dynamic litigator with international exposure and particular experience in, as well as exceptional passion for Intellectual Property law, especially copyright and trademarks. Dimitrios is also experienced in Business Law, Immigration Law, and General Civil Litigation, which experience he gained while working for prestigious law firms in New York and Europe. Dimitrios is also a multilingual communicator with a fluent knowledge of Greek and a working knowledge of French.

Dimitrios has hung out his own shingle as a solo practitioner since 2010. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Dimitrios is also admitted to practice law in Greece.

In his spare time Dimitrios trains in powerlifting and to a lesser extent Olympic weightlifting. In 2013 he placed 4th in the USAPL New Jersey State Powerlifting Championships.