How Sam Katz Founded Athlaw LLP: ‘Complacency Is Never Acceptable. We’re Here to Raise the Bar’
In a legal industry often criticized for stagnation, Sam Katz is shaking things up. The founder of Athlaw LLP, a rising boutique law firm, is driven by a bold mission to redefine excellence in legal practice. “Complacency is never acceptable. We’re here to raise the bar,” Katz declared in a September 2025 interview with Benzinga, detailing his journey to launching a firm that’s challenging the status quo.
From Vision to Victory: Building Athlaw LLP
Sam Katz, a seasoned attorney with a background in corporate and litigation law, founded Athlaw LLP in 2024 after years of frustration with the inefficiencies of traditional firms. Based in New York, Athlaw focuses on corporate transactions, intellectual property, and dispute resolution, targeting mid-sized businesses and startups often overlooked by Big Law.
Katz’s vision was born from a desire to prioritize client outcomes over billable hours. “I saw firms resting on their laurels, delivering cookie-cutter solutions,” he told Benzinga. “Every case is an opportunity to improve, grow, and deliver better results than we did before.” This ethos led him to assemble a lean team of innovative attorneys, leveraging technology like AI-assisted research to cut costs and boost efficiency.
Breaking the Mold of Big Law
Unlike the sprawling giants dominating the U.S. legal market, Athlaw operates with a nimble structure. With just 15 attorneys as of September 2025, the firm emphasizes agility and personalized service. Katz invested heavily in cloud-based case management and predictive analytics, enabling faster turnarounds on complex deals and litigation prep.
The firm’s early wins include securing a $50 million IP settlement for a tech startup and advising on a cross-border merger in the renewable energy sector. These successes, Katz says, stem from a culture that rejects complacency. “We treat every client like they’re our only client,” he noted, a stark contrast to the churn-and-burn model of some competitors.
Challenges and Resilience in a Competitive Market
Starting a law firm in today’s hyper-competitive landscape wasn’t easy. The Am Law 100 firms control 70% of high-value corporate work, leaving boutiques to scrap for market share. Katz faced skepticism from peers who doubted a small firm could compete without the resources of a Kirkland or Latham.
Funding was another hurdle. Katz bootstrapped Athlaw with personal savings and a small angel investment, avoiding the debt traps that sink many startups. “We had to be scrappy, but that forced us to innovate,” he said. By 2025, Athlaw’s revenue hit $10 million, a testament to its growing traction.
Public and Industry Reactions
The legal community is taking notice. On X, attorneys like @LegalInsiderNY praised Athlaw’s client-first approach: “Sam Katz is doing what Big Law won’t—putting results over egos.” Others, however, question the firm’s scalability, with @LawBizBuzz noting, “Great start, but can they sustain it against the giants?”
Clients are more unequivocal. A tech CEO posted on LinkedIn, “Athlaw saved us millions with smarter strategy than we got from a top-10 firm.” Such endorsements highlight Katz’s impact on businesses seeking affordable, high-quality counsel.
Impact on U.S. Clients and the Legal Market
For American businesses, especially startups and mid-sized firms, Athlaw’s rise offers a lifeline. Legal fees at elite firms often exceed $1,500 per hour, pricing out smaller players. Athlaw’s rates, averaging 30% lower, democratize access to top-tier legal services, leveling the playing field in industries like tech and green energy.
Economically, boutique firms like Athlaw contribute to the $400 billion U.S. legal market by fostering competition and innovation. Politically, Katz’s focus on transparency aligns with growing calls for regulatory reforms to curb Big Law’s dominance, a topic gaining traction in states like California and New York.
Looking Ahead: Raising the Bar
Katz’s ambition doesn’t stop at boutique success. He plans to expand Athlaw to 30 attorneys by 2027 and open offices in Chicago and San Francisco. “We’re not just building a firm; we’re building a movement,” he told Benzinga. Future initiatives include pro bono programs for underserved entrepreneurs, reflecting Katz’s commitment to social impact.
As Athlaw grows, its anti-complacency ethos could inspire a new wave of legal startups. For U.S. clients, it’s a reminder that innovation can thrive outside the ivory towers of Big Law. Sam Katz has raised the bar—now it’s up to the industry to catch up.
SEO tags: Sam Katz Athlaw LLP, how to found a law firm, boutique law firm USA, complacency in legal industry, Athlaw corporate law, U.S. legal market trends, startup legal services, intellectual property law firm, Big Law competition, innovative law firms 2025