Looking back on the past decade, I can hardly believe we’re about to celebrate the firm’s 10th anniversary. Or, as I like to say, 10 years of changing lives. It all started on February 1, 2015. I only realized the milestone was coming up the other day, and I thought, “Oh, Wow! Where did the time go?”
Back then, we were just a small office in downtown Seattle, and even though we had a physical space, I made sure we didn’t have to be tied to it. From the beginning, I wanted the firm to be remote and paperless.
The Why Behind My Commitment to Remote Work
The decision to work remotely wasn’t just about staying ahead of the curve — it was deeply personal. I wanted to be a great lawyer, a great mom, and a great wife. I also don’t like paper unless, of course, it’s beautiful stationery. Those four things meant the world to me, and I knew the only way to balance them was by designing a law firm that fit into my life rather than the other way around.
At the time, I had just married my second (and forever) husband, Doug. His job had him traveling all over the world, managing research vessels, and sometimes even going as far as New Zealand. I realized pretty quickly that if I wanted to spend time with him and still do the work I loved and do it well, I needed flexibility. That’s why I built this firm the way I did, with freedom and innovation at the heart of it all. I didn’t want to do things the traditional way (read: misogynistic way) because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Instead, I wanted us to think creatively about how to let people manage their time and their goals in a way that worked for them.
Take one of our supervising attorneys, Katy. She joined EBFLG early on when her daughters were still little. Working from home was a game-changer for her. Katy didn’t have to make unnecessary trips to the office before heading to court — she could prepare from home. That kind of flexibility made her life easier, and as the firm has grown, along with Katy’s family, we’ve expanded on that approach.
Seeing how much it’s positively impacted our team as much as it has our clients, who get an entire team “in tune” with their case due to systems we put in place favoring communication and collaboration, has been one of the most rewarding parts of this once “experiment,” now evolution. Or is it a revolution since this way of practicing law is so much different from when I first entered the field? I’m thinking the latter.
Encouraging Teammates and Clients to Play to Their Strengths
One of my biggest passions has always been helping people maximize their potential. If you’re into CliftonStrengths, y’all will know what I mean when I say “Maximizer” is one of my top strengths. I’m all about helping folks around me live their best lives, whatever that looks like for them. For me, that’s time and freedom. Having the freedom to make my own decisions and spend my time in meaningful ways. That’s the kind of empowerment I want for my team and clients.
As we push into 2025, I’ve decided that my word for the year will be “empower.” It’s the vision I want to carry forward for the firm and how we support one another as a team. Empowerment means lifting people up, giving them the tools they need to succeed, and cheering them on every step of the way.
Growth Didn’t Come Without Setbacks and Dark Days
I would be remiss without saying that the last decade hasn’t been without its challenges or moments that shook me to my core. One of the most harrowing experiences was losing my bookkeeper, Lauren. She was eight months pregnant when a plane crash took her life, along with the lives of her toddler son and husband.
They had been at a family gathering right before tragedy struck, a stark reminder for me to treasure every moment with the people I love because you never know when it will be your last. Yes, we all have bills to pay and work to do, but there are moments we can never get back that are worth savoring. The rest of it can wait. I know Lauren, despite her gift with numbers, would agree.
A Gradual Shift in Technology and Care
Over the past 10 years, I’ve also seen a shift in how people think about business and client care. Clients expect more, and honestly, that’s a good thing. Technology has come a long way, too. It’s more intuitive and more customizable, and now we’ve got AI changing the game in ways we’re still figuring out. The legal world isn’t what it was a decade ago, and we at our firm have worked hard to adapt. We’ve leaned into these changes, always looking for better ways to serve our clients.
One of those ways is our commitment last year to what Will Guidara has coined “Unreasonable Hospitality.” We’ve even created a position within the firm to help keep us laser-focused on delivering excellent service to our clients and team members. We spent a long time creating standards of care we expect everyone on our team to follow, setting the tone for everything we say and do.
Balancing the human side of practicing law with the demands of running a business isn’t easy, but for us, the human side always comes first. If we didn’t prioritize that, I believe the business would eventually go straight into the ground right along with us. For this very reason, we encourage our team to practice self-love and self-care and provide benefits and resources to help prevent burnout. I’ve learned all too well from my own life that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and I want my people to know their cup is full because I support them in filling it how they want.
What’s Next
Looking ahead to the next decade, my vision for the firm is clear: We’re focused on empowerment — not just as a buzzword but as something we actively do. For our clients, that means providing informative resources such as written guides, videos, and visuals to help them understand what to expect during their case. We have also been busy organizing divorce and estate planning events to enhance connection, communication, and education. The goal is to tailor every client’s experience to them because one size does not fit all. Because of that, we meet clients where they are to give them what they need.
If I could go back in time and give advice to myself 10 years ago, I’d tell that younger version of me to shut down that inner voice of self-doubt. Mine has a name: Eloise. She’s the one who whispers, “Your vision is stupid. It’ll never work.” I’d tell myself to ignore her because she’s wrong. With so many strikes initially against me, I’ve proven that you can build something meaningful, something that works for you and the people you serve, without having to do it the way everyone else says you should.
Thinking about everything we’ve accomplished and all that lies ahead, I am grateful. Grateful for the team that has supported my vision and made it their own. Grateful for the clients who have trusted us during some of the hardest times in their lives. And grateful for the chance to continue helping others make their visions a reality.
If you would like to learn more about Elise Buie Family Law, call us today or schedule a time to speak.
