CBA Record March-April 2023

and previous employers; I never worked in a small firm environment, and I was not doing anything innovative. The JEP was a critical bridge for me.” Gross came to the JEP with a back ground that included the performing and literary arts, then she switched to a variety of traditional law and government practices. “All my previous experience was in a subordinate role, and that role did not translate to running my own business. I was not used to being the lead on everything and handling all decision making regarding legal and business strategies. Now I can edu cate my clients on how to work with a lawyer. I’m way more comfortable with that now.” Another member of the January 2021 cohort, India Rios, started the Seven Eleven Law Group, a “tech-savvy firm for millennial entrepreneurs,” which helps clients leverage their intellectual property. “My practice involves trademarks, enter tainment, and business,” she says. It’s a “sweatpants friendly environment,” she emphasizes (side note: Rios is one of the most fashionable lawyers you’ll ever meet). Rios found out about the JEP from mentors in law school who were part of the network. Starting her own firm was always part of her plan: her law school required an internship, so she started a business called Solo Genie to assist sole practitioners, commenting “I didn’t want to work for free!” The JEP seemed like the best fit to get some support starting a firm. “Once I passed the bar, I was looking at options and realized I’d rather do my own thing. I really wanted to start my own firm and do trademark work.” She had plenty of experience with a fast-paced environment, having completed a stint in the Navy working in aviation administra tion prior to college. Rios says her challenges are that “there are not enough hours in the day. You need to have all the knowledge about market ing and all the legal knowledge – it’s hard A Firm for Tech-Savvy Entrepreneurs

to find the time to do it all. And it’s an uphill battle to find consistent help.” Benefits of a Network Among the many benefits the JEP pro vides are training on substance, skills, and law practice management; expert coach ing and assistance on business issues and client development; mentoring by expe rienced and respected practitioners; and free and discounted practice resources, including law practice management and research tools. The JEP also provides referral pipelines and access to many help ful networks through the CBA, the CBF, and other partners. Gross and Rios agree that having a network of experienced, likeminded attorneys to ask questions of and brain storm with is one of the most important assets of the JEP. Gross says, “Having a network of participants is powerful. It offers opportunities for intimate views of their practices and how they solve chal lenges. You can see a diversity of practices. The JEP allows us to explore.” Rios says she most values the access to other JEP attorneys, legal databases, practice man agement tools, and a professional office in the Loop. Who Should Apply to the JEP? Gross says the JEP is best for those who

are experimental and are comfortable making mistakes, who learn by doing, and who can create healthy boundaries. Rios agrees that JEP appeals to self-start ers, but also points out that the legal aid fellowship can take up to 20 hours a week for the first six months, and that partici pants may not be working full-time hours at first. She recommends applicants have a nest egg or supportive partner, as it takes a while to build up a practice. Dominguez emphasizes that the JEP supports people who want to make a difference. She rec ommends the JEP to “people who want autonomy over the kind of lifestyle they want, financial freedom, people with an entrepreneurial drive. As a business owner, you can dictate how you want your lifestyle. What you put into it creates those opportunities for yourself.” Cohorts begin in January and June each year. Find out more at https://chica gobarfoundation.org/jep.

Editorial Board member Amy Cook participated in the January 2021 JEP cohort. Her firm, Amy Cook Law LLC (Amy CookLaw.com), serves small businesses, non profits, and writers.

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