Five years ago, I took the leap and started Reid Legal Group. It was equal parts terrifying and exciting, and while I had plenty of legal training, running a business was a whole different education. The past half-decade has been full of challenges, lessons, and small wins that added up to something I’m genuinely proud of. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way, and what five years in business has really taught me.

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started Reid Legal?

You can’t do it all alone. In the beginning, you wear all the hats—lawyer, admin, marketer, accountant. But growth only happens when you learn to delegate. Hiring right or outsourcing isn’t optional; it’s essential. The best advice I ever got? Never hire anyone you wouldn’t feel comfortable letting go.

What has surprised you the most about running your own firm?

Clients don’t care how hard you work. You can grind 14-hour days, but clients don’t pay for effort—they pay for results and service. It’s a humbling lesson: value is measured by what you deliver, not how much sweat went into it. Outcomes matter more than effort.

What’s one piece of advice you always come back to (or give to others)?

Time is your most valuable asset. Law school teaches you the law. Running a business teaches you priorities. Not every task deserves equal attention, and not every minute should be spent “in” the business instead of “on” it. Time is the one asset you can’t get back, so spend it wisely.

What’s the hardest financial lesson you’ve learned?

Cash flow is king. A profitable firm can still collapse if invoices go unpaid or expenses pile up. Revenue looks good on paper, but cash flow is what keeps the doors open. I’ve learned to track it as closely as any legal file.

How has your definition of success changed over the past five years?

Success isn’t about hours billed or how hard you work. It’s about mindset. Resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn matter more than any single strategy. Failures happen. How you respond defines whether you grow or get stuck.

What are the five things you’re most proud of when you look at where Reid Legal is today?

  1. Building a reputation on integrity and earning trust from clients, respect from colleagues, and credibility in court.

  2. Helping clients in their toughest moments and giving them clarity when they felt overwhelmed.

  3. Creating opportunities for others—mentorship for junior lawyers, careers for staff, and stepping stones for future practitioners.

  4. Surviving and thriving in a tough industry where expectations are relentless.

  5. Standing by our values, choosing honesty, team health, culture, and client service above all else.

Five years down, many more to go. The challenges don’t stop, but neither does the learning. And if the past half-decade has taught me anything, it’s this: building a business is as much about mindset as it is about law.

Thank you for being apart of Reid Legal Group’s Journey!