If you're a tall-building lawyer thinking of making a transition to being a small-town lawyer, here are a few tips:

1. The quality of lawyers in small towns includes the entire spectrum. Don't assume.
2. At the courthouse and in transactions, you're likely to be dealing with the same government workers, businesspeople, lawyers and judges for years, so you really don't want to make a bad first impression.
3. A good first impression to make is that of being a good listener. It's difficult to learn while talking.
4. The clientele of small towns is often hungry for a new lawyer, especially one with advanced skills in real estate, tax, IP, business transactions, and other fields.
5. Don't be afraid to cultivate a limited practice, so that you're not perceived as stepping on the toes of the generalists, who may be very receptive to having a local lawyer to whom they can refer matters.
6. Talking about the way things were done wherever you came from is a really bad idea. It sounds condescending. It also encourages speculation about why you left a place that you portray as better than the place you've now ended up.
7. Socialize cautiously. It takes a while to figure out the social organization of a new place, whether urban, suburban or rural. The smaller the town, the less stratified and segmented the community is, and the more the various layers and cliques interact. News travels fast. The smaller the community, the less anonymity. You're being watched.
8. Let your social circle grow through your family activities. You'll meet non-lawyers who could become friends and sources of referrals. You'll get a frame of reference for what you learn about the community from other lawyers.
9. Some of the people who reach out to you are doing so because the people who know them have ostracized them, sometimes for good reason. Take your time about getting close to people.
10. Others who reach out to you will be sincere, well-respected and secure.