So, the the 10 year anniverary of Rutledge Law, P.C. came and went (quite unceremoniously) on February 1, 2022. Things tend to happen that way in a small shop. It's another day or work, fielding calls, dousing fires (large and small). Taking time to reflect and look around can get away from you. 

But this is a milestone, and I thought it appropriate to say a few words here.  Really, I have two: Thank you. 

Most new ventures fail in their first five years. I have done that first five twice now. The reason is largely good people, i.e., clients, mentors, lawyer friends and colleagues, great vendors, and staff.  As you move down the road in life and law ... and then look back, the relationships stand out.  They are the brick and mortar of any good organization and operation. 

I have clients who have been with me all 10 years; indeed, some were with me long before. At my old firm, I was given a send off with an encouragement to "make sure I take all my cases."  I got a good start, as a result.  Then, a commercial real estate friend let me use his conference room and address for mail rent-free to get started. Good vendors early on helped me find my way and figure out what was needed to make a small law practice run. 

And lawyer colleagues sent me work (and still do!) ... such a blessing.  

And at the core there have been my clients. God bless those especially who pay their bills on time and those who even say thank you. Still, after 32 years of doing this I get the biggest charge out of knowing that I helped a client solve their legal problems in a way that made a difference for them. I am grateful I have the kind of practice that enables me to do that. 

At the time I left Drucker, Rutledge and Smith (as the firm merged with Baker Donelson), I did not know what was ahead.  My practice had stagnated a bit over the three years prior to the merger. I needed a change, and the new outfit wasn't a fit for me. So, the transition came at a perfect time. 

In the last decade, there have been some interesting ... and sometimes uncertain ... times.  It is a like that when you are in a small shop. I mean, when I go on vacation, not only is no one "minding the store," the "store," if you will, is out of town. So, you just figure it out. I have actually had some fun along the way.  

On a macro level, we have watched as technology, efling, and the decentralization of the practice of law has continued to shift power to the small firms. In trial work, in particular, I always instinctively thought that the "light infantry" should and would have the advantage over larger firms that can sometimes be lumbering bureaucracies when responding to novel or fast-moving situations (i.e., those we often see in trial work). Now, we have seen this to be the case. The practice of law continues to move the direction of the smaller firms. 

After all, though a client technically hires a firm, they are really engaging a particular lawyer.  And that, I like. 

Now, at 10 years in ... my thoughts? I am excited for the next decade. 

Rock on ...