Amy Grubb followed her curiosity to build the legal practice of her dreams, and now she pays that forward to other lawyers looking for change. She followed her curiosity to law school, to an impressive career in big law, to a stint as an online business owner, to founding a successful solo practice and to her current business, advising lawyers who want to go solo. Amy’s favourite part of her job is listening to her clients’ wildest dreams and telling them that they are not outrageous.
She knows, from experience, that it is possible to achieve the career of your dreams, as long as you keep an open mind and are willing to follow your curiosity.
Right out of law school, Amy was living most law students’ dreams. She got hired on to a Bay Street job during the 2L summer recruitment process, excelled in that and turned it into articling, and then an associate job. Some people are overwhelmed by the big firm lifestyle, but Amy loved it. She worked in Toronto before moving to Ottawa as an associate at a national firm in their business group. Amy loved the fast-paced lifestyle and the excitement of working on large transactions that people read about in the news.
Over time, Amy’s priorities and goals changed. As a mother working in a large law firm, she felt like a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. Figuring out what this meant for her and what to do about it was constantly on Amy’s mind, but she was so busy that she did not have the time to consider it. Amy distinctly remembers the turning point. She was working on Christmas Eve and felt gutted inside when she could hear her kids asking where she was. Amy decided that would be the last holiday spent like that. As a result, shortly thereafter Amy left the practice of law so that she could slow down and plan the next move that was right for her. This time was life changing for Amy and helped her find her passion again.
Amy’s next move was in a totally different direction. She opened an online store, selling curated Canadian art. To support this venture, she went to countless entrepreneurial events that opened her mind to aspects of business that had never been on her radar. When small-mid sized business owners at the events found out she was a lawyer, they would ask for her legal help. She wasn’t practicing at the time, but felt compelled to use her skills to help fellow-entrepreneurs. This led her to open her own virtual practice – something she never thought she would ever do.
While figuring out how to go solo, Amy reached out to other solo lawyers and asked them for tips.
How do you bill clients? How do you market yourself? What tech do you use?
There are so many things to consider when starting your own practice and Amy felt overwhelmed. In searching for advice, Amy realized there was no cohesive community of Canadian solo practitioners and also a lack of resources for lawyers thinking of going solo.
Amy started a Facebook group for Canadian female lawyers in solo/small law firms, which is still very active. It functions as a place for women to ask questions they may not be comfortable asking elsewhere. In that group, women have sold their practices, hired help, referred work and found their legal partners. Amy also started posting on LinkedIn about what it’s like to go solo and was surprised by the amazing response she got. She met a lot of lawyers at the start of their solo careers who were working long hours and taking on piles of debt. Amy knew there was a better way to do it. She knew that going solo can mean having more freedom, more time for family and taking on only the clients you want, and she saw an opportunity to teach others how to build more desirable careers.
Following her curiosity guided Amy to start a new business, Grubb Legal Consulting. She is no longer practicing law but instead is supporting and advising lawyers as they launch their practices. Amy’s job is immensely fulfilling. She gets to sit with lawyers who have dreamt of going solo, but have been too nervous or busy to try it, and help them figure out their next best step to take. Amy creates a safe space for her clients, and encourages them to tell her their wildest dreams and ideas. She talks them down from thinking “this can never happen” and helps them realize it absolutely can. Hearing from clients (past and present) about their successes is the most rewarding part of her job.
No two days are the same for Amy, but she is disciplined in time blocking and time management.
She schedules client calls only on set days and administrative calls on others. Grubb Legal Consulting has never had office space and Amy loves working from home. Amy’s work days are much shorter than they used to be and at the end of them, she turns her computer off and focuses on family.
If something interests you, remember Amy’s advice and follow your curiosity. Learn more about it and reach out to people knowledgeable in the area. Social media has been a helpful tool for Amy and can allow you to easily make connections across the country (or world!). If someone’s posts on LinkedIn interest you, send them a message. You never know where it could lead.
In this profession, choosing a different path can come with a lot of fear. What will your old colleagues and classmates think if you start your own firm, or stop practicing? Amy had those fears, but after she made a change, was greeted with lovely messages from people telling her how inspiring they thought she was.
If you are unhappy in your job, think 5,10 or 20 years into the future and consider whether you are OK with being in the same spot and still not being happy. It is easy to get stuck and 10 years can go by in the blink of an eye. Going solo is scary, but you can do it. And if you need help, Amy and other supporters will be there for you.