Six Years, Countless Battles, and One Unwavering Purpose.

A reflection on six years of firm ownership — the chaos, the growth, the gratitude, and the road ahead.

Six years ago, Ketan and Andrew did something that most attorneys only talk about over lunch: they left the comfort of an established firm, took a leap of faith, and built something of their own — a law firm grounded in the belief that clients facing the end of a marriage deserve not just competent counsel, but exceptional, deeply personal representation.

Today, we pause to mark that anniversary with an honest, heartfelt look back at what these six years have really looked like — and a clear-eyed, excited gaze toward what comes next.

The People Who Made It All Worthwhile

At its core, Soni Brendle has always been about people and we have been extraordinarily fortunate in the people we have encountered.

Our clients — many of whom came to us in the most tumultuous seasons of their lives — trust us with their fears, their futures, and their families. That trust is not something we take lightly. Every trial, every mediation, every settlement involved a real person navigating real issues. We are grateful to have had the privilege of standing beside them through it.

We have also had the honor of appearing before judges across North Carolina who challenge us, sharpen our thinking, and hold us to the highest standards of advocacy for our clients. Opposing counsel who remind us that professionalism and vigorous representation are not mutually exclusive. Expert witnesses — forensic accountants, child psychologists, business valuators — who have brought clarity and credibility to complex cases and helped us deliver better outcomes for our clients.

“Every person who walked through our door reminded us why we started this firm in the first place.”

The Hats Nobody Warned Us About

Law school prepares you to think like a lawyer. It does not prepare you to troubleshoot a jammed copier at 7:45 a.m. before a 9 o’clock hearing, but we have figured it out.

Firm ownership is a masterclass in wearing many hats — often simultaneously – for everyone. On any given week, our partners have been attorneys, administrators, mediators, IT support, HR departments, marketing strategists, lease negotiators, and office therapists. The romanticized vision of running your own firm gives way quickly to the beautiful, unglamorous reality of keeping the lights on and the team thriving.

There have been hard-fought wins that reminded us exactly why we do this work. There have also been losses — cases we believed in deeply — that humbled us, pushed us to grow, and made us better lawyers for the clients who came after. 

Divorce stirs every emotion imaginable. Grief. Relief. Rage. Hope. Fear. Our clients are rarely just angry about a legal issue — they are processing the end of a life they built. Holding space for that while still giving clear-eyed legal counsel is an art, and one we have committed ourselves to practicing every single day.

Staying Sharp in a Changing Legal Landscape

On top of all of that – we are constantly reminded that family law is not static. Evolving case law, shifting judicial interpretations, legislative updates affecting equitable distribution, spousal support, child support and child custody requires us to stay current for each new client that walks in the door.  We have invested heavily over these six years in continuing education, professional networks, and bar associations precisely because the attorneys who serve clients best are the ones who never stop learning. 

The Firm Culture We Built on Purpose

A firm is only as good as its people — and we have worked hard to build a culture worth showing up for. That has meant firm meetings that go beyond case updates: bowling nights, cooking classes, escape rooms, shared meals, and moments that remind every member of our team that they are deeply valued.

We believe deeply that a team that wins together, laughs together, challenges each other, and genuinely enjoys the company of the people they work beside will ultimately serve clients better. Energy is contagious. Excellence is, too.

The Road Ahead: More Focused Than Ever

As we look toward the next chapter, we do so with clarity of purpose. We are not trying to be everything to everyone. We never were.

Our focus has always been — and will continue to be — serving clients with complex divorce matters who demand and deserve top-tier representation. High-asset divorces. Business ownership disputes. Multi-jurisdictional property. Intricate custody arrangements. Cases where the stakes are high, the issues are layered, and the difference between good counsel and great counsel is everything.

Six years in, the passion has not dimmed. If anything, it has deepened. We know more. We have seen more. We are better equipped than ever to deliver the level of service our clients deserve — and we could not be more grateful for the privilege of doing this work.

To our clients, our colleagues, our team, and everyone who has been part of this journey — thank you.  Here’s to what comes next.