As a litigator for over 17 years, I’ve become a seasoned navigator in the unpredictable waters of legal practice, charting my course through the stormy seas of solo practice, firm life, and everything in between. I graduated from law school with distinction – all set to take my rightful place as an associate attorney, working long hours and making peanuts.

The world, however, was right in the middle of a recession. Firms weren’t hiring, and licensed attorneys were making less than paralegals. With no family ties to the legal elite, I quickly dove into the deep end of the law practice pool, only to discover that no one was offering lifebuoys. I had to learn the practice of law in a trial-by-fire scenario with no guidance! Thankfully, over time, I found a mentor who guided me like Yoda with a briefcase. I slowly learned the ropes, but only with this one-on-one guidance. I was mostly lost without someone to help me know what I don’t know.

While building my own practice, I worked part-time at another firm, expertly juggling more balls than a circus clown.

Eventually, the stress and hard work paid off, and I was managing my own firm: three associates, a paralegal, a receptionist, and interns —let’s say it was like running a tiny legal army, complete with all the stress of being the boss who had to make sure payroll was covered and there was no interoffice turmoil. I’ve also tried my hand at firm life. I had a brief and eye-rolling stint at a midsize firm, where watching 25 attorneys waste money and resources and use antiquated technology felt like a bad sitcom—imagine endless meetings discussing what document storage tool the firm should use while real, pressing legal work languished like forgotten leftovers in the fridge. As I sat in those meetings, witnessing the slow-motion train wreck of wasted time and money, I knew I had to escape. So, I cut my losses, hung out my solo shingle, and never looked back—except maybe to chuckle at the chaos and inefficiency I left behind!

Now, here I am, happier than ever, reaping the rewards of my solo practice and even finding joy in sharing my legal wizardry with other attorneys to help them on their solo journeys! When I’m not buried in legal briefs, you can find me galavanting around the globe or unwinding at my cabin, where the biggest decision is whether to roast marshmallows or just dive into the chocolate, both of which I deem equally glorious!