It’s August and an opportune time to applaud our minority members who’ve met, with uncompromised grace, the challenges of owning their own law firm. Recently, we sat down for a quick chat with Ranissa Dycus, owner of the Law Office of Ranissa Dycus to discuss successes, time travel and the importance of having a mentor.
Hanging up your own shingle must have been… daunting. What prompted you to make the switch from working at a firm to opening your own legal office?
The thought of having my own freedom was a great motivator. Another motivator? Acknowledging I prefer to do things my own way. I’m a hard worker but sometimes I felt like colleagues and supervisors thought my way of handling work was wrong when I knew it wasn’t. It was just different. To be authentic, I realized I needed to work in the way I think is best for my client and for myself. Having my own office allows me to do that.
What kind of support did you have through those first few months of private practice?
James, my partner, inspired me the most. He came from very humble beginnings and today, is a very successful businessman. I figured if he could do it with limited education and resources, I could surely do it with the tools and resources I’ve been given. And, during those first few months, I learned a lot.
Like?
In the beginning, it was hard to manage both the business as well as my cases. I didn’t want to turn clients away but learned that sometimes it’s necessary so I could keep doing the best for my other clients. Figuring out all the technicalities and requirements of having a practice was a surprise. I figured it out, but it was a learning-by-doing kind of experience for me.
If you could travel back in time to when you first opened your office, would you do anything differently?
In retrospect, I wish I would have learned more about the business side of having my own practice and stayed a little longer in my job at the firm.
Any wisdom for others thinking of going into solo practice?
Trust yourself. You already know how to be a lawyer, so you’re halfway there. If you can learn the business side, you’ll be fine. Seek mentorship and seek it often. No one is going to hold your hand through the process but there is always someone willing to help. All you have to do is ask.
Speaking of mentorship, is there an attorney you admire?
Katie Jackson. The first time I ever saw her in court was like magic. She’s always so perfect, that’s the only word I can use to describe her. I had never seen someone who looked like me and came from the same background, practicing law. I have dodged many bullets because of her wisdom. She truly took me under her wing and showed me the ropes and for that, I am forever grateful.
If you would like to submit content or write an article for the Women and the Law Division, please email Deneen Fitzgerald at dfitzgerald@indybar.org.
Subscribe to Women and the Law Division news here!
member center
