The Law Entrepreneur 449. Redefining Success in Law with Laura Cowan, Esq.
You're not just a lawyer — you're a visionary rewriting the rules.
In this powerful episode of our Build to Lead series, Bridgit Norris sits down with estate planning attorney and trailblazing founder Laura Cowan, who went from Wall Street accountant to building a thriving law firm that works for her.
Laura is the mind behind the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer™ and author of Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution, featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur, and she's living proof that success in law doesn't have to come at the cost of your freedom, health, or happiness.
This episode is packed with real talk, strategy, and encouragement for women lawyers who are ready to define success on their terms — and be bold enough to speak up about it.
If you're done measuring yourself by billable hours and want a model that supports the life you want, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Laura:
1. Profit Over Posturing
Scaling revenue means nothing if it costs your health, time, or peace of mind.
Success in law must prioritize profit, sustainability, and freedom, not vanity metrics like 2x or 3x growth.
2. Delegate What Doesn’t Require a Law Degree
Building a lean, effective firm starts with outsourcing admin work, document drafting, and marketing, even with limited resources.
Focus your time on the few key actions that generate revenue and truly require your expertise.
3. Redefine Success with Intention
Success isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Whether that means working part-time, serving only select clients, or shifting your role entirely, fulfillment comes from designing a practice that aligns with your values, not the legal industry’s outdated playbook.
4. Scaling Comes with Tradeoffs
Growth doesn’t just mean more revenue — it means more clients, more hiring, more systems.
Before chasing scale, define exactly what you want more of, and ensure your team and infrastructure are built to handle it.
5. Bold Voices Shift the Profession
Too many women in law are quietly struggling with outdated norms and expectations.
Speaking openly about freedom, flexibility, and alternative success models doesn’t just serve you — it lights the path for the next generation.
"There's no point in having a million dollars in revenue if you're working until 10 o’clock at night and you've got to spend the vast majority of it just to support the business." — Laura Cowan
Get in touch with Laura Cowan:
Website: https://www.2hourlifestylelawyer.com/
Book: Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Lifestyle-Lawyer-Revolution-Without-Leaving-ebook/dp/B0F3FNZMQN/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelauracowan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2hourlifestylelawyer/
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