Ah, the joys of niching down! Law firms who specialize can capitalize on numerous benefits, from enabling attorneys to focus on building their experience and expertise to marketing themselves as a true authority.
As you know, the 10 most common practices in the US legal market are Intellectual Property, Family, Tax, Personal Injury, Criminal, Civil, Bankruptcy, Immigration, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Corporate laws.
Most of the 1.33 million legal professionals in the U.S., as of 2020, concentrate on these 10 legal fields of expertise. It comes as no surprise that half of these practices are business-related. After all, they don't call it 'Corporate America' for nothing!
But what of the lawyers working in niche practice areas? We've shared our thoughts on the pros and cons of niching down as a differentiator. We've also discussed this on the Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) podcast with Steven M. Levin, a trailblazer in nursing home litigation way before it was even a thing. Since then, we've been inspired to share a few more stories of some of the US' market-leading niche dominators and how they got to where they are today!
1. John Adams
Niche: Environmental Law
Environmental lawyers are on the front lines of tackling climate change through judicial reform and is a growing legal niche.
According to Rolling Stone, if the earth had a lawyer, it would be John Adams. John has been at the forefront of promoting environmental protection through legal activism and has published three books in the field.
He worked as a Federal Prosecutor in the Southern District of New York for five years before joining a group of young lawyers from Yale to create the NRDC. The organization was the first national advocacy group for environmental protection through the legal system.
Under Adam's leadership, NRDC passed the Clean Water Act, which allows citizens to sue polluters directly. Their other top achievements include the banning of lead in gasoline. Plus, coal plants are required to reduce their pollution-causing emissions and protect a breeding ground of gray whales near Baja in California from industrial development — the list goes on and on.
John and his organization, NRDC, regularly sue government agencies for inaction on environmental protection issues. He is fearless in taking vast and powerful corporations to court when the state or federal government is reluctant to act. He even earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 for his dedication and passion for environmental protection.
2. Alex Rissmiller
Niche: Employment Law
Attorney Alex Rissmiller has made a name for himself in the field of employment law, passionately advocating for employees who have faced unlawful treatment. Before establishing Rissmiller PLLC, Alex honed his expertise by representing both corporate employers and individual employees in a wide range of employment disputes in both federal and state courts. The employment lawyers at Rissmiller PLLC handle cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, and breach of contract.
Graduating from New York University School of Law, where he contributed to The Journal of Law & Liberty, Alex has cultivated a deep understanding of the tactics employers often employ. This unique perspective allows him to tailor individualized strategies for his clients, whether they seek an early resolution or prefer to take their case to trial. Alex’s ability to navigate the complexities of employment law with confidence has earned him accolades, including recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for employment litigation, a distinction restricted to only 2.5% of lawyers in New York.
Alex is not just about winning cases; he’s passionate about empowering his clients with the knowledge they need to understand their rights.
3. Joel Mendler
Niche: Elder Law, Estates and Wills
Elder law is a specialized field in the legal industry intended to meet the needs of older and disabled clients. Cases in this field achieve clients' and their families' goals—high-quality but less restrictive care for their loved ones.
Joel Mendler is one of the best-known lawyers in the United States, specializing in elder law. Various organizations have named him among the best in this niche practice area since he started his legal profession in 1968. Mendler is a board-certified tax specialist and an estate planning and estate administration specialist by the Louisiana State Board of Legal Specialization.
He's a proven authority on implementing estate plans, including drafting wills, trusts, and advance directives. He also administers family estates and provides directions on managing long-term care needs, such as those related to government benefits.
Mendler is a member of some of the most reputable lawyer organizations in the U.S. These include the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the New Orleans and Birmingham Estate Planning Council, and the American Bar Association Sections on Taxation, Real Property, and Trusts and Estates.
Since 2013, he has been named one of the top lawyers practicing in New Orleans for his achievements in elder law and trust estates. For more than 30 years, he has also been named one of the top lawyers in the United States in elder law, trusts and estates, and non-profit or charitable law.
4. Chris Green
Niche: Animal Law
Chris Green is the Executive Director of the Animal Law and Policy Program of the Harvard Law School. He was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund and former Chair of the American Bar Association's TIPS Animal Law Committee. Chris has been instrumental in promoting animal rights in the United States. This empathetic attorney is best known for persuading the three most prominent airline companies in the U.S. to stop transporting endangered animals hunted for trophies, helped defeat Ag-Gag legislation in a number of states, and passed the ABA resolution recommending that all legislative bodies in America criminalize the possession of dangerous wild animals.
In all that he does, Chris Green has always advocated for animal welfare by working with relevant government agencies and non-government organizations. In 2020, he passed another ABA resolution calling on the government to train all law enforcement on non-lethal animal encounters. Green created the University of Illinois's first Environmental Science degree. He consults on animal legal issues for diverse outlets such as CNN, Science Magazine, Fortune, NBC News, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among many others.
5. Patrick J. Wood
Niche: Dental Law
Patrick J. Wood, a founder of Wood & Morgan, has been instrumental in giving clients a reason to smile for almost four decades. Patrick, a UCLA alumnus with a JD degree from Southwestern University, was admitted to practice law in 1978. Now active in California, Texas, and Colorado, he has carved out an impressive niche in dental law.
His law firm primarily focuses on dental practice sales, lease reviews, associateships, corporate matters, partnerships, and related transactions. They also handle dental board defense, estate planning for dentists, and employment law issues. Through these services, Patrick has emerged as a thought leader in the rather narrow niche of dental law.
In addition to his legal practice, Wood also lectures extensively, delivering around 20 practice transition seminars throughout the country each year. His knowledge and experience have benefited dental conventions, societies, and schools. He has written numerous articles that have appeared in well-established publications like Dental Economics and The New Dentist.
Patrick's work's defining characteristics are his extensive service to the dental profession and his empathy and commitment to charitable causes. True to this spirit, the law firm offers a $2,000 reduction in its practice transition-related legal fees to any dentist who commits to at least one week of dental mission work in countries outside the United States with a recognized US charitable organization. Reckoned as a dental attorney par excellence, Patrick is a niche dominator worth celebrating.
6. Kelly D. Benavides
Niche: Criminal Defense & Traffic Tickets
Attorney Kelly D. Benavides has successfully carved out a niche for herself in criminal law, with a particular focus on traffic violations. A native Texan, Kelly received her Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Houston. She then acquired her juris doctor from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law and began a career dedicated to the cause of justice.
Beginning in her home city of Houston, she served as an attorney dealing with municipal matters. This experience paved the way for opening her own practice at Benavides Law Firm, where she is recognized as a leader in criminal defense and an advocate for Houston drivers. Benavides' defensive mastery hasn't gone unnoticed. She boasts a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, was named among the "10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction" by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, and is listed as one of The National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Benavides is also known for her dedication to serving the community. She has held prestigious positions such as the Associate Municipal Judge for Spring Valley and Baytown and City Attorney for the City of Houston Legal Department. Furthermore, she is an active member of numerous professional associations, highlighting her commitment to constant growth and networking in her field. Kelly D. Benavides is a primary example of an attorney who harnessed the power of niching and leveraged local experience to build a powerful reputation as a community champion.
7. Andrew Gordon
Niche: Cryptocurrency Law & Cybersecurity
Attorney Andrew Gordon has established himself as a leading authority in the rapidly growing legal practice areas of cryptocurrency law and cyber security. With a keen interest in blockchain technology and a deep understanding of data privacy, Andrew has dedicated his legal practice to navigating the complex landscape of changing regulations surrounding digital assets.
As the founder of Gordon Law, Andrew focuses on providing comprehensive legal services for clients involved in cryptocurrency transactions and related ventures. His practice is primarily focused on advising startups and established companies on compliance with cybersecurity laws and privacy laws to ensure they operate within the legal framework while innovating on the cutting edge of technology. Andrew's expertise allows clients to mitigate risks associated with data privacy and to adapt to existing and emerging regulatory challenges in the cryptocurrency space.
Recognized for his thought leadership, Andrew has contributed to numerous legal publications and is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences. His commitment to staying ahead of the curve in these niche practices has earned him a strong reputation among peers and clients alike. Andrew Gordon exemplifies a modern attorney who has successfully carved out a niche in cryptocurrency law, leveraging his technical background to guide clients in a landscape marked by rapid change and the promise of groundbreaking innovation.
