After a seven-year break, I am excited to return as a columnist for Above the Law, exploring the ever-evolving dynamics of solo and small law firms. Since my last stint, not only has the legal profession seen significant transformations, but my own journey has also taken remarkable turns, including a guest spot on the Daily Show. Today, more than ever, the act of starting a law firm remains a profound statement of independence and innovation.

Drawing from my background as a chemist’s daughter, I often compare solo lawyers to free radicals—agents that disrupt the status quo with their unpaired electrons. These legal entrepreneurs step away from the security of steady paychecks and established firm brands, challenging the traditional norms of the legal field. They forge new client relationships, pioneer fresh practice models, and enhance access to justice. Their seeming instability is their greatest strength.

Historically, solo and small-firm lawyers were viewed as less prestigious than their counterparts in larger firms. However, owning a firm is not a default path but a deliberate choice. My book, "Solo by Choice," emphasizes that launching a law firm is a declaration against unfair hiring practices, rigid hierarchies, toxic work environments, and unsatisfactory legal engagements. It is about carving out a space in a profession that is often reluctant to accommodate change.

Instability often propels lawyers to establish their firms—be it due to job loss, conflict with firm culture, or dissatisfaction with compensation and work hours. This "unpaired state" ignites the drive to innovate. What might appear as a vulnerability—the freedom from traditional binds—is actually the spark that fuels the creation of new business models, specialties, and precedents.

Despite facing skepticism and perceived as reckless by some traditional institutions, lawyer-founders demonstrate that their radical choice to be independent is a powerful form of disruption. By choosing to start their own firms, they challenge outdated hierarchies and contribute to the diversification and renewal of the legal profession.

In every aspect, owning a law firm embodies a radical act—a theme I am passionate about and look forward to exploring further here and on my blog, MyShingle.com.