Why I Think More Law Students Should Start Businesses

Law school trains you to analyze problems, think critically, and operate inside complex systems — which sounds a lot like what entrepreneurs do every day. But most law students are told to follow a narrow path: summer associate, bar exam, big firm or bust.

I think we’re missing the bigger picture.

Because law students? We make excellent entrepreneurs. And more of us should be building things — not just briefing them.

1. You already think like a founder.

We’re constantly issue-spotting, assessing risk, and figuring out how rules apply to messy real-world facts. That’s basically a startup pitch in slow motion. Add a little creative freedom, and you’ve got the perfect launchpad for a business idea.

2. We’re resourceful by necessity.

Law school is a masterclass in figuring it out — fast. Can’t afford a supplement? You find a used one. Missed the lecture? You dig up someone's outline. That same energy is what gets startups off the ground. The hustle is built in.

3. We know how to protect what we build.

Most entrepreneurs start with a dream and accidentally end up in legal hot water. But as law students, we already understand the fundamentals of intellectual property, contracts, business formation, and compliance. That gives us a massive head start.

4. Law isn’t one-size-fits-all — and neither are we.

Some of us won’t thrive in the traditional firm track. That doesn’t mean we’re not smart or capable — it means we’re wired to create. Whether it’s digital products, media, legal tech, coaching, or a niche solo practice, building something on your own terms is success.

5. You don’t have to wait until you’re licensed.

You can start now. I did. I made a planner, built a website, and created Write That Down Media while still in law school. You don’t have to know everything yet. You just have to begin.

Final Thought:

Starting a business in law school isn’t about money or clout. It’s about agency. It’s about reclaiming your creativity in a system that often tries to strip it away.

If something’s been tugging at you — a service you want to offer, a tool you want to build, a story you want to tell — don’t wait.

Write it down.
Then go make it real.