We were lucky to catch up with Zo Onyeise recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zo, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump into the story of starting your own firm – what should we know?

The Story Behind Zo Legal Group: Building a Firm with Purpose

When I decided to start Zo Legal Group, I was driven by a passion to serve underserved communities, particularly Black and Brown families, with estate planning and personal injury services. I wanted to create a space where legal guidance was accessible, clear, and deeply personal—far beyond the traditional transactional approach often seen in the legal field.

The early days of starting my firm were both exciting and challenging. The first step was defining my vision and mission for the firm. I asked myself, “Who am I serving, and how do I ensure my services truly impact their lives?” This led to the development of a business plan that outlined my focus on estate planning and personal injury, a client-centered approach, and a commitment to raising awareness in communities often overlooked by traditional law firms.

Main Steps to Establish the Firm:

Setting Up the Foundation: I focused on the administrative backbone first—registering the business, obtaining the necessary licenses, and setting up accounting systems.

Defining the Brand: I worked on building the Zo Legal Group brand, including designing the logo, creating a professional website, and establishing a consistent presence on social media to connect with potential clients.

Securing an Office Space: I wanted an office that felt welcoming and professional, so finding the right location that balanced accessibility and affordability was key.

Building the Network: Networking was critical in the early days. I connected with colleagues, attended local events, and collaborated with other professionals to build credibility and gain referrals.

Learning Technology: I invested in legal technology to streamline operations, like client intake forms, case management software, and digital marketing tools.

Challenges in Setting Up the Practice:

One of the biggest challenges was overcoming the uncertainty of starting fresh. Would people trust me? Would I be able to build a client base? Balancing my time between handling client work and growing the business was another hurdle. Marketing the firm and educating the public about estate planning—often viewed as something only wealthy people need—took a lot of effort, but it was worth it.

Another challenge was managing the financial side of running a business. From office rent to marketing expenses, the early days required strategic planning to stretch resources and ensure the firm stayed financially healthy.

What I Would Have Done Differently:

Looking back, I would have hired administrative help sooner. In the beginning, I tried to do everything myself—legal work, marketing, billing, client communications—and it became overwhelming. Bringing in someone to assist with operational tasks would have allowed me to focus more on building client relationships and growing the firm.

Advice for Young Professionals Starting Their Own Firm:

1. Define Your Why: Be crystal clear about why you want to start your firm and who you want to serve. Your mission will be your guiding light when things get tough.

2. Invest in Your Network: Surround yourself with mentors and professionals who can offer advice, guidance, and referrals. You don’t have to do this alone.

3. Start Small, Scale Strategically: Don’t feel like you need to have a large office or hire a big team right away. Focus on the essentials, and grow as your business grows.

4. Leverage Technology: Invest in tools that can save you time and improve efficiency. There are so many legal tech options available that weren’t around even five years ago.

5. Prioritize Self-Care: Starting a firm can be all-consuming, but burnout helps no one. Make time for yourself, your family, and the things you love.

Ultimately, starting Zo Legal Group has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Every challenge was an opportunity to learn, and every small victory was a step closer to the vision I had when I started. To anyone considering taking the leap, my advice is to go for it. The world needs your unique perspective, and the clients you’re meant to serve are waiting for you.

Zo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Chizoba ‘Zo’ Onyeise, an estate planning and personal injury attorney and the founder of Zo Legal Group, based in Texas. My journey into law was inspired by my passion for helping others and my desire to make legal services accessible to all, including underserved communities. Before founding my firm, I honed my skills in complex civil litigation at a national personal injury firm, which gave me the experience and perspective to serve my clients effectively.

At Zo Legal Group, we specialize in estate planning, offering tailored solutions like wills, trusts, and prenuptial agreements to help families protect their wealth and loved ones. We also handle personal injury cases, ensuring clients receive the compensation they deserve after an accident. What sets us apart is our client-centered approach—we prioritize education, transparency, and building lasting relationships.

I’m most proud of the impact our firm has made in empowering individuals and families to secure their futures. For potential clients, I want them to know that we’re here to guide them every step of the way with compassion, expertise, and a genuine commitment to their well-being. At Zo Legal Group, we don’t just offer legal services; we offer peace of mind.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building our audience on social media has been a journey of consistency, authenticity, and understanding our target audience. We focused on creating content that educates and empowers, particularly around estate planning and personal injury, because we know many people are unaware of how these services can protect their families and finances. Instagram, in particular, has been a key platform for us, where we’ve used reels, giveaways, and collaborations to increase engagement and grow our following.

One of the most effective strategies has been consistency—we post regularly, aiming to add value with every post. We’ve also prioritized authentic engagement by responding to comments and messages and building relationships with our followers. Collaborations, like partnering with other local businesses or influencers, have helped us reach new audiences while staying true to our brand.

For those starting to build their social media presence, my advice is:

1. Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to their needs and interests.
2. Be Consistent: Show up regularly with valuable content, even if it’s just a few posts a week.
3. Engage Authentically: Social media is about connection, not just promotion.
4. Experiment and Learn: Test different formats, like videos, stories, or live sessions, to see what resonates.
5. Be Patient: Growth takes time, but with persistence and authenticity, your audience will come.

Social media isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a way to build trust and establish your brand’s voice. That’s been key to our success at Zo Legal Group.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that has significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking is The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. While I don’t follow the concept literally, it reshaped how I approach time management, efficiency, and delegation. The idea of focusing on high-value tasks and automating or outsourcing repetitive ones has been transformative for managing Zo Legal Group. It helped me recognize that as a business owner, I can’t do everything myself—and I shouldn’t try to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ZoLegalGroup.com
• Instagram: @zo.LegalGroup

Image Credits

zonyeise@zolegalgroup.com