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What helped you realize that“ big” firm life was not where you wanted to be?
Louis Cohan: I think I am a bit of a control freak. I am also entrepreneurial. I have never really thought that I would be well suited to life in Big Law. Since starting CLG, it is apparent that even going from 50 attorneys in my prior firm to our current structure is very rewarding for me. If we have a soft month or two, it is on me. If we have a big win, the impact is significant. The direct relationship between performance and outcome is very real and rewarding.
Matt Jordan: I left a very well-respected mid-size litigation firm to move to a small firm. That firm was great to me and still is a wonderful firm, but the‘ corporate’ culture that it inevitably created when you have over 100 lawyers plus support staff can be overwhelming. I realized I wanted to have more say in the day-to-day operation of the firm and my practice.
Jeb Butler: Well, I tried it. To be fair, I was pretty sure from the outset that I was not going to end up working in a skyscraper— in part because I do not derive much satisfaction from assisting the already-empowered and in part because I do not like parking garages. But I spent part of a summer working for Troutman Sanders, and although I admired the firm and liked the folks I worked with, it did not take long to figure out that I would rather attack powerful interests than represent them.
Cheryl Legare: When I worked at my last large firm, I realized that churning hours working for corporations was not where my heart was. I am grateful for my time at big firms because of the training( both substantive and law practice training) and the mentoring I received, but I much prefer running my own practice. I have so much more control over my life now.
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What advice do you have for others thinking about starting their own firm or joining a“ smaller” firm?
Louis Cohan: In the immortal words of Nike: Just do it! But do it after you learn how to practice for a minimum of 4 – 5 years. Law school does not ready most people to practice law without additional training. Also, you need time to build a practice and more important to build a reputation. In fact, I always tell young lawyers that from day one, you should be building your own practice. You should be developing your own clients. You should write and speak. You should be active in the legal community through bar associations, Inns of Court, Lawyer’ s Club, etc. As you get to be 10 years into your career, your value as an attorney will be increasingly dependent on your ability to generate clients and work. It is too late if you wait to get started.
Matt Jordan: Be prepared to hustle. Getting business is tough and marketing is a 24 / 7 endeavor. I would also suggest having about a year’ s salary in the bank to help cover living costs while the firm’ s collections get up to speed.
Jeb Butler: Do it. It is the most fun you can have wearing a coat and tie.
Cheryl Legare: Do it!!! Before my partners and I created Legare, Attwood & Wolfe, I met with many attorneys who were at small firms and had started suc- The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 27