Editorial
Insights from the Lawyer Financial Advisor desk
Practical financial planning perspectives for attorneys — from law school debt through partnership economics to succession. Written for legal professionals, not generic households.
Articles
Recent articles
Each article connects to at least one tool or framework you can apply directly to your practice.
Law School Debt Repayment: Mapping IBR, PAYE, and PSLF Against Standard Repayment
Public-interest attorneys and private-practice associates face genuinely different optimal debt strategies. Here is how the repayment math actually diverges.
Partner-Track Cash Flow: Living With K-1 Income and Quarterly Estimated Taxes
Moving from a W-2 associate paycheck to K-1 partnership income changes your entire cash-flow rhythm. Most new partners underbudget for the first two tax years.
Biglaw Bonus Structure and Tax-Timing Planning
Year-end and spring bonuses at large firms follow a predictable structure — and predictable structures create planning opportunities most associates never use.
Planning the Financial Transition From Associate to Partner Compensation
The jump from salary-plus-bonus to a partnership share is not just a raise — it restructures how, and when, you get paid. Plan the transition year deliberately.
Malpractice and Disability Insurance for Solo and Small-Firm Practitioners
Without a firm benefits department behind you, malpractice and disability coverage become personal decisions with real financial stakes. Here is how to evaluate them.
Comparing Law Firm Retirement Plan Structures: 401(k), Profit-Sharing, and Cash-Balance Plans
Firms structure retirement benefits very differently depending on size and partnership model. Knowing which structure you have changes how you should plan around it.
Buy-In and Buy-Out Planning for Equity Partners
Equity partnership comes with a capital obligation on the way in and a payout structure on the way out. Both deserve more planning than most partners give them.
In-House Counsel vs. Law Firm Compensation: A Financial Planning Comparison
In-house offers usually trade top-line cash for equity, stability, and hours. Comparing them requires more than a base-salary spreadsheet.
Trust Account Discipline: Why the Line Between Client Funds and Personal Finances Cannot Blur
IOLTA and client trust account mismanagement is one of the most common sources of bar discipline. The financial habits that protect you are simpler than they sound.
Succession Planning for Solo and Small-Firm Practice Owners
A solo or small-firm practice is often a founder's largest asset — and the hardest one to sell cleanly. Succession planning should start years before you want to exit.
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Your financial plan should be as rigorous as your legal work
Law firm equity, student loan strategy, and practice economics require coordinated thinking. Fenul Wealth applies the same precision you bring to client matters to your own financial situation.
- Law firm equity and partner buyout modeling
- Student loan repayment strategy (PSLF, refinancing)
- Practice overhead and exit planning
- Ethics-aware financial framework throughout
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