‘The ‘Be Your Own Boss’ Advocate

In the landscape of legal entrepreneurship, few names shine as brightly as Carolyn Elefant has long been a champion of legal entrepreneurship, as well as a visionary attorney and advocate.

She has carved a unique path in the law, championing the cause of solo and small firm practitioners while building a successful practice of her own.

New York-born Elefant’s journey in law began at Cornell Law School, where she graduated in 1988 and then working for several firms, including Chadbourne & Parke and Duncan & Allen.

She struck out on her own, founding the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant in 1993, specializing in energy and environmental law and quickly established herself as a formidable presence in the field.

Her expertise in renewable energy and electric utility regulation has made her a go-to resource for clients navigating the complex intersections of law, policy, and emerging technologies. But it’s her parallel career as an advocate for solo and small firm attorneys that has truly set her apart.

In 2002, Elefant launched MyShingle.com, a groundbreaking website dedicated to solo and small firm practice. At a time when many viewed solo practice as a last resort, Elefant saw it as a path to professional fulfillment and innovation. Through MyShingle, she has provided countless attorneys with the resources, inspiration, and practical advice needed to launch and grow their own practices.

Elefant’s impact on the legal profession extends far beyond her website. Her 2008 book, “Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be,” became a must-read for attorneys considering independent practice.

The book’s success led to a sequel and cemented Elefant’s status as a thought leader in the field.

As a frequent speaker at legal conferences and a prolific writer, Elefant has tirelessly advocated for the recognition and support of solo and small firm practitioners.

Her efforts have been particularly focused on empowering women lawyers, who often face unique challenges in establishing their own practices. Through mentorship, writing, and speaking engagements, she has encouraged countless women to embrace entrepreneurship in the legal field.

Elefant’s work has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by the ABA Journal as a Legal Rebel, a title bestowed upon attorneys who are remaking the legal profession through technological innovation and unconventional thinking.

LawFuel too has mentioned Elefant’s success in solo law and the way she has gone about it.

Her blog has consistently been named to the ABA Journal’s Blawg 100, a list of the best legal blogs.

Legal Tech Advocate

She has also been a vocal proponent of legal technology and innovation. She has embraced social media and online platforms as tools for building a practice and connecting with clients, often pushing the boundaries of traditional legal marketing.

Throughout her career, Elefant has demonstrated that solo practice can be a viable and rewarding path for attorneys. Her own success in building a thriving niche practice while simultaneously advocating for others serves as a powerful example of what’s possible in the legal profession.

Her most recent recognition has come from the District of Columbia Bar Association who presented her with an award for her work encouraging women lawyers to be their own boss – yet another triumph in the world of a woman attorney who has bucked the system and been highly successful and respected for it.

The Womens Bar Association District of Columbia law award

Comments from Carolyn Elefant upon receiving her ‘Stars of the Bar’ award for encouraging women into law firm ownership.

“Thank you so much for this honor. You know, when I started my law firm, my goal was simple—to avoid a gap on my resume after being fired from my job at a firm. I never imagined that, 30 years later, it would become my life’s work.

But ownership rescued me. It took me from being an unemployed, desperate associate to a law firm partner overnight. Now, granted, that law firm had only one attorney—and that attorney was me. But hey, a win is a win.

That’s when I realized the transformative power of ownership. Ownership changes the conversation from ‘Who’s going to let us have Fridays off?’ or ‘Who’s going to let us first chair that trial?’ to ‘Who’s going to stop us?’ It shifts the focus from asking for permission to exploring possibilities.

Ownership changes the conversation from ‘Who’s going to let us have Fridays off?’ or ‘Who’s going to let us first chair that trial?’ to ‘Who’s going to stop us?’

And that’s why women who start law firms aren’t just lawyers, but creators, visionaries and innovators. They’re building new spaces. They’re innovating with remote practice, 30-hour work weeks, and environments where women can thrive.

They’re starting firms not just to keep a foot in the door but to build wealth for themselves and their families. And they’re taking on cases that traditional firms often shun, representing domestic violence survivors, environmental justice communities—my personal passion—entrepreneurs of color, and even a writer who dared to sue a president for sexual assault. Yes, that was a woman-owned law firm that did that.

Yet despite its benefits of law firm ownership,  the legal profession (until tonight) rarely acknowledges them. Law schools don’t teach about starting a law firm as a viable career opinion for women. 

And women who consider starting their own firms are met with a barrage of condescending questions like are you going to make any money? It will be nice to work in your pajamas. Good thing your husband can support you; and you know, you’re going to kill your career.

For the women who heard this nonsense, I see you and I have your back. This award is for all of the women law firm owners who in the face of the naysayers, chose to bet on yourself. Together we are building a more just and enlightened legal profession.

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