Q&A

Inside a multigenerational law practice

A father–daughter duo on collaboration, clients, and the future of their Austin firm

(Image courtesy of The Kumar Law Firm PLLC)

Working with a family member isn’t for everyone, but the father–daughter duo at the helm of The Kumar Law Firm PLLC in Austin, Texas discovered that collaboration gives them a competitive advantage. Raise the Bar sat down with both Sanjeev and Kirsten Kumar to learn more about what it’s like to run a multigenerational firm, how their different backgrounds have helped them build a robust book of business and how they’re planning for the future as technology reshapes the practice of law.

—Interview by Emily Kelchen, edited by Bianca Prieto

Is working together something the two of you always planned to do?

Kirsten: We would get jokes about starting “Kumar & Kumar Attorneys at Law” when I began law school, but we never seriously considered it. However, when I interned with his previous firm, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed learning about business and intellectual property law. When the time came, it just made sense for me to come on board.

Sanjeev: Some folks think it is better not to mix family and business, but in our experience, working together has added a really valuable new dimension to our relationship as father-daughter. And Kirsten’s pre-law school work in Austin’s startup scene complements my experience co-founding and taking a tech business public in the early 2000s. It gives us a unique perspective that clients do not necessarily find in other business attorneys.

Can you elaborate on that? What strengths does each of you bring to the practice that the other relies on?

Sanjeev: Kirsten is quite detail-oriented, diligent and efficient. She helps keep the entire practice organized and running smoothly. She is also great at developing strong client relationships. I know when I retire, I’ll be leaving our firm in good hands.

Kirsten: We each have unique perspectives on the various matters our clients deal with, and many of our most lively conversations happen behind the scenes when just the two of us discuss creative solutions or potential pitfalls for a given client issue. Being a sounding board to one another has made such a positive difference in our work. We have come to rely on each other for ideas that we may not have initially thought of, which helps us provide the best possible service to our clients.

Has anything about working together surprised you?

Kirsten: It may not necessarily be a surprise, but perhaps an unexpected finding has been just how well we work together. We have had very few disagreements as business partners, which, as we often see in our line of work, is uncommon.

Sanjeev: It is also a blessing to work together as adults and be able to have numerous conversations on a daily basis, especially considering I spent a lot of time working and traveling while Kirsten was growing up.

So it’s all smooth sailing?

Sanjeev: We face the same challenges as every other firm. Lately, it’s AI. Some of our clients in the tech industry think lawyers will become obsolete with the rise of AI, especially on the transactional side. We have not necessarily seen that to be the case, though. Sure, there are quite a few AI-driven tools in the legal industry now, and some clients may rely on AI to put together a first draft of a contract or help them understand a legal concept, but many clients have come to us to ensure their understanding is correct or that their document is legally enforceable before making a significant investment or taking a considerable risk.

Kirsten: It is similar to how, when your flight is delayed or cancelled and you are going to miss your connection, you want to talk to a real human being to help solve the problem and not be stuck in a chatbot loop. Lawyers do not need to be scared of AI, nor should they be overly reliant on it. The opportunity lies in meeting clients (many of whom are using AI already) where they are and providing creative problem-solving and expertise that comes from the actual practice of law.

Have you considered adding other attorneys to your firm?

Sanjeev: One of the big challenges is structuring a two-generation and two-person firm in a way that allows us each to efficiently practice in the areas we are best suited to. Our primary practice is business law and intellectual property law, but I also have a significant estate planning practice. On the other hand, Kirsten has become more involved in the entertainment and influencer industries and is more drawn to litigation.

Kirsten: Being a two-person firm, we have to be mindful of spreading ourselves too thin. This past year, certain litigation matters made it clear to us that it can be beneficial to have a larger team handling some matters.

Sanjeev: Frankly, being in a different phase of life, and having managed 250+ people in the past, I’m not overly keen on scaling the practice right now. But Kirsten is going to have the opportunity to do so as she gradually takes on more responsibility at the firm, so we look
forward to seeing what the future holds.