Top Lawyers: Russel Morgan On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law
An Interview with Eric L. Pines
Treat each client like your own family — Each client must be treated like they are your only client.
The legal field is known to be extremely competitive. Lawyers are often smart, ambitious, and highly educated. That being said, what does it take to stand out and become a “Top Lawyer” in your specific field of law? In this interview series called “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law”, we are talking to top lawyers who share what it takes to excel and stand out in your industry.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Russel Morgan.
Russel Morgan Esq. is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Morgan Legal Group. He started the firm with a goal of providing clients with personalized representation built on the idea that each client deserves an approach uniquely tailored to their specific needs. Backed by years of dedication to excellence in serving his clients, Russel focuses on commercial and contract litigation, trust and estate planning, business and personal asset protection, and wealth preservation and dynasty succession planning. He has also supported clients with many types of commercial and personal transactional work such as the preparation, restructuring, and litigation of various types of contracts. Russel Morgan’s ever-evolving business leadership and empathetic, education-focused approach has made him a true leader in his industry.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you ended up where you are? Specifically, we’d love to hear the story of how you began to lead your practice.
The path from coming to the US to starting my law firm was not a straightforward one. I come from an immigrant family. We immigrated here as refugees from the Ukraine when I was a child and had nothing but aspirations for a better life. My passion for my practice is helping those with limited access to resources and education (those are generally the most vulnerable) and my mission is to protect them.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Who has been your biggest mentor? What was the most valuable lesson you learned from them?
My father has been my biggest mentor. He came to the United States with nothing and spent his entire life working to ensure that his children got the best education and lived a better life.
From completing your degree to opening a practice and becoming a business owner, your path was most likely challenging. Can you share a story about one of your greatest struggles? Can you share what you did to overcome it?
I started my practice in a tiny one room office with no capital and developed everything from the ground up. I was very intrinsically motivated to succeed and give others the sort of resources I did not have growing up but really could have used.
What is your primary motivation and drive behind the work that you do?
My primary goal is to help those without necessary knowledge, resources, or access to education.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
We are in process of representing some of the largest real estate acquisitions in the United States as well as representing very well-known international estates. We also recently opened up a new office in Florida.
Let’s now shift to discussing the business of law. Can you tell us a bit about the nature of your practice and what you focus on?
Aside from all aspects of contract & business law, we focus on trust & estate planning, asset protection, probate and estate administration, real estate, commercial litigation, and family law.
Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? What unique qualities do you have that others may not? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Persistence, because coming from the background I did, I developed skills of strength and determination early on. Consistency on work product, which I’ve found has been integral to the success of the new office branch. Lastly, going above and beyond for all needs of our clients, whether it’s reviewing a simple document as a courtesy or helping a family member with an unrelated issue.
Managing being a law practitioner and a business owner is a constant balancing act. How do you manage both roles?
It is a constant learning experience. You must be able to have a true understanding of both practicing and managing a law practice ethically, and you can never stop thinking about the business side. You always need to be paying close attention to your bottom line and growth.
What are your 5 Things an Attorney Needs to Know In Order To Create A Successful And Thriving Law Practice.
1. Lay a strong foundation — Study hard when it comes to business management and the ethics of practicing on your own. Additionally, develop an ethical marketing strategy.
2. Treat each client like your own family — Each client must be treated like they are your only client.
3. Do what you say and say what do — Deliver the work you are saying you will deliver and do not make promises you cannot keep.
4. Do not bite off more than you can chew — Always make sure you have enough support; paralegals, clerical staff, and associates to carry your workload. 5. Have a 1-year, 2-year, 5-year and exit plan in place — Stagnation is your worst enemy. You must develop a constant plan of growth and always celebrate your milestones and victories, no matter how big or small.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
To keep up with Morgan Legal Group, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/ X, and YouTube. Check out their website: morganlegalny.com, morganlegalgroup.com and morganlegalfl.com.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: Eric L. Pines is a nationally recognized federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach. He represents federal employees and acts as in-house counsel for over fifty thousand federal employees through his work as a federal employee labor union representative. A formal federal employee himself, Mr. Pines began his federal employment law career as in-house counsel for AFGE Local 1923 which is in Social Security Administration’s headquarters and is the largest federal union local in the world. He presently serves as AFGE 1923’s Chief Counsel as well as in-house counsel for all FEMA bargaining unit employees and numerous Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs unions.
While he and his firm specialize in representing federal employees from all federal agencies and in reference to virtually all federal employee matters, his firm has placed special attention on representing Veteran Affairs doctors and nurses hired under the authority of Title. He and his firm have a particular passion in representing disabled federal employees with their requests for medical and religious reasonable accommodations when those accommodations are warranted under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (ADA). He also represents them with their requests for Federal Employee Disability Retirement (OPM) when an accommodation would not be possible.
Mr. Pines has also served as a mediator for numerous federal agencies including serving a year as the Library of Congress’ in-house EEO Mediator. He has also served as an expert witness in federal court for federal employee matters. He has also worked as an EEO technical writer drafting hundreds of Final Agency Decisions for the federal sector.
Mr. Pines’ firm is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. His first passion is his wife and five children. He plays classical and rock guitar and enjoys playing ice hockey, running, and biking. Please visit his websites at www.pinesfederal.com and www.toughinjurylawyers.com. He can also be reached at eric@pinesfederal.com.
