Every lawyer I talk to wants to hire someone to help. Those who don’t have employees see hiring as the solution to all of their problems.

They’re wrong. It’s not the solution: it’s the beginning of many more problems.

I’d advise avoiding that first hire for as long as possible and then avoid it some more.

You can get the work done without hiring. Here’s how:

1. Hire a virtual assistant. You can find qualified people who will assist you with just about anything on an hourly or contract basis. There are individuals and agencies who will work for you one task at a time without an employer-employee relationship. My virtual assistant helps with my travel arrangements, returning calls, screening e-mails, etc. She’s amazing, and I only pay her when I need her.

2. Use Ruby Receptionist to answer your phone. We’ve been using this service with great success as our backup receptionist.

3. Use Earth Class Mail to open and scan your mail. You can outsource your mail service to this company, and it will do it all.

4. Use a temp service when you have a big copying or organizing project. Get on good terms with one of the agencies, and it will send you their best people.

5. Hire contract lawyers to help out with cases when you don’t have the time or expertise to take on a matter.

6. Start dictating and use SpeakWrite for transcription.

7. Get a bookkeeping service and an accountant.

8. Find some interns to help with legal research. You’ll find colleges and law schools willing to help you hook up with their students. If there’s no law school in your area, you can set up a virtual internship and work via phone and e-mail.

9. Hire a driver (or car service) so you can get work done when you’re stuck in the car.

10. Go paperless so you’re not hunting for documents. That will save you gobs of time and free you up to do other work.

11. Implement a practice management system so you’re better organized. Again, this is a huge time saver that allows you to get more done.

12. Have your voicemails transcribed by PhoneTag. You won’t have to listen, and you’ll get more done in less time.

13. Get your bank to pick up your deposits (or get a check/credit card machine) so you don’t have to drive to the bank.

14. Use a courier service for filing documents in court and making deliveries.

15. Set up an account with a mobile notary for getting client signatures notarized.

16. Hire a cleaning service to keep the office neat.

17. Contract out the maintenance of your flowers and office plants.

18. Use an executive suite instead of a private office so you’ll have a receptionist provided by someone else. The receptionist will also answer your phone.

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19. Hire part-time employees. Yes, it’s hiring, but part-time generally means fewer problems.

You can only know the misery of having employees after you’ve done it. Ask any employer what I mean and, if you catch him or her in a weak moment, you’ll get a heartfelt answer of misery, agony, and disappointment. Of course, I’m not suggesting that our firm doesn’t have extraordinary employees who bring nothing but joy and happiness to our lives. That’s certainly the case in my practice, but, as you know, I’m a gifted manager who can do no wrong. You might not be as gifted, and hiring might make you miserable.

Use these 19 steps to avoid hiring for a bit longer. You’ll preserve your sanity and, once you hire someone, you’ll know how right I am.