How Michael Forde Founded Forde & O’Meara: ‘Act Like an Owner Before You Are One’
Chicago, IL – August 11, 2025 – Michael Forde, co-founder of Forde & O’Meara LLP, a prominent Chicago-based law firm, shared his entrepreneurial journey in a recent interview with Law.com, offering aspiring legal entrepreneurs a guiding principle: “Act like an owner before you are one.” Forde’s story of building a successful practice from the ground up highlights the importance of initiative, mentorship, and a client-first mindset, providing a blueprint for attorneys looking to strike out on their own.
From Associate to Founder
Michael Forde’s path to founding Forde & O’Meara began with a decade of experience as an associate and partner at mid-sized firms in Chicago, where he honed his skills in personal injury and medical malpractice law. In 2014, driven by a desire for greater autonomy and a vision to create a client-centric practice, Forde partnered with colleague John O’Meara to launch their boutique firm. “I realized early on that if you want to control your destiny, you have to think and act like an owner, even when you’re still an employee,” Forde told Law.com. This mindset, he explained, meant taking responsibility for client relationships, firm finances, and case outcomes as if the practice were already his own.
Forde emphasized that his time as an associate was critical preparation. “I treated every case like it was my firm’s reputation on the line,” he said. This approach earned him trust from senior partners and clients, building a network that would later support his entrepreneurial leap. By 2014, Forde had cultivated a reputation for securing high-value settlements—averaging $1.2 million per case, according to firm records—giving him the confidence to start his own venture.
Building Forde & O’Meara
Forde & O’Meara LLP, established in 2014, specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases, serving clients across Illinois. The firm’s success, now boasting a team of 12 attorneys and a portfolio of multimillion-dollar verdicts, stems from Forde’s philosophy of ownership. “From day one, we focused on what clients need: clear communication, aggressive advocacy, and results,” Forde said. The firm’s client-first approach has led to a 95% case success rate, with settlements and verdicts totaling over $50 million in the past decade, per firm data.
Forde credits mentorship as a cornerstone of his success. Early in his career, he sought guidance from seasoned attorneys, absorbing lessons on case strategy and client management. “Find mentors who’ve done it right and aren’t afraid to share their mistakes,” he advised. He also emphasized the importance of financial discipline, noting that many new firms fail due to poor cash flow management. “We kept overhead low in the beginning—shared office space, lean staffing—and reinvested every dollar into marketing and case development,” he explained.
Challenges and Lessons
Starting a law firm wasn’t without hurdles. Forde recalled the uncertainty of leaving a stable partnership role, where he earned a steady six-figure income, for the unpredictability of entrepreneurship. “The first year, we barely broke even,” he admitted. To overcome this, Forde and O’Meara leveraged their networks, securing referrals from former colleagues and investing in targeted digital marketing, which increased client inquiries by 40% within 18 months, according to Forde.
Another challenge was balancing casework with business development. Forde learned to delegate administrative tasks to a small but efficient support staff, allowing him to focus on high-stakes litigation. “You can’t do it all, but you have to know it all,” he said, underscoring the need to understand every aspect of firm operations while entrusting routine tasks to others.
Advice for Aspiring Founders
Forde’s mantra, “Act like an owner before you are one,” encapsulates his advice for attorneys considering their own firms. He recommends:
- Build a Track Record: Demonstrate reliability and results in every role to earn trust and referrals.
- Network Strategically: Cultivate relationships with mentors, peers, and clients well before launching a firm.
- Master Finances: Understand budgeting, cash flow, and marketing to ensure sustainability. Forde noted that firms with less than $500,000 in initial capital often fail within three years, per industry data.
- Embrace Technology: Use case management software and digital advertising to compete with larger firms. Forde & O’Meara’s early adoption of cloud-based systems cut operational costs by 15%, he said.
- Stay Client-Focused: Prioritize client needs to build loyalty and reputation, which Forde credits for 70% of their repeat and referral business.
Looking Ahead
Now in its 11th year, Forde & O’Meara plans to expand its practice areas to include employment law and class-action litigation, with Forde aiming to mentor the next generation of attorneys. “Owning a firm isn’t just about winning cases; it’s about building something lasting,” he said. His story, shared via Law.com and amplified on X, where users praised his practical advice, resonates with attorneys navigating an increasingly competitive legal landscape.
Forde’s journey underscores that ownership begins with mindset, not a title. By acting like an owner early on, he turned vision into reality, creating a firm that thrives on results and relationships.
Source: This article draws on an interview with Michael Forde published by Law.com on August 11, 2025.