Nathan Sawaya is a world-renowned brick artist who left his career as a corporate lawyer to follow his childhood passion—creating art out of LEGO bricks. In this episode, Nathan shares how law school gave him the critical thinking and risk-assessment skills to launch a creative business, why he let his law license expire, and what it really takes to bet on yourself. His story is a powerful reminder that you can build your dream life, one brick—and one bold decision—at a time.
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Nathan Sawaya is best known as a brick artist, creating world-famous sculptures entirely from LEGO bricks—but long before his art gained international acclaim, he was a New York-based corporate lawyer practicing M&A and securities law. What started as a nighttime creative outlet slowly became a calling he couldn’t ignore. He began sharing his LEGO creations online, and as demand for commissioned pieces grew, he realized he had the opportunity to turn his passion into his profession.
"I was working full days at the law firm and then spending hours at night creating LEGO art," shares Nathan Sawaya on You Are A Lawyer.
Today, Nathan works from his Los Angeles studio, keeping over 10 million LEGO bricks in inventory at any given time. His work has been featured in museum exhibitions, music videos, and international tours. Despite his creative fame, he credits law school with giving him the foundation to build a successful business—especially when it comes to contracts, negotiation, and critical thinking.
Like many first-gen professionals, Nathan felt the pressure to pursue a “respectable” career. Although art had always been part of his life, he lacked the confidence to believe in it as a full-time profession. Law school offered structure, intellectual challenge, and social approval. But even as he practiced law in New York, the creative pull never left him.
"There were moments where I was happy, but a lot of the time I felt like it just wasn't what I wanted to be doing. I had this other passion to still pursue my art," reflects Nathan Sawaya on Episode 188 of You Are a Lawyer.
It wasn’t an overnight decision, but over time, his love for creating art out of LEGO bricks grew too strong to ignore. Nathan gradually built up a side business, and after years of balancing law by day and art by night, he made the leap to become a full-time artist—closing one chapter and opening another that was entirely his own.
Nathan’s legal training continues to serve him as an artist and entrepreneur. From negotiating high-level licensing contracts to protecting intellectual property and assessing business risks, his JD is more than just a credential—it’s a daily tool in his creative career.
"Law school is a great thing because it teaches you how to think critically... I have that base knowledge now where I can look at a contract, negotiate the finer points if I need to," explains Nathan Sawaya, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.
He’s clear: law school wasn’t a waste of time. Even though he chose not to renew his license—intentionally removing the safety net—he doesn’t regret the years spent learning how to analyze problems, make strategic decisions, and spot opportunities others might miss. His legal background makes his art career possible, profitable, and protected.
What started as a creative outlet—experimenting with LEGO bricks after long days at the office—eventually became Nathan’s full-time career and artistic identity. He didn't wait for permission or a perfect plan; he started small, shared his work online, and let passion guide the pivot. When his website crashed from too many visitors, he took it as a sign and made the leap.
“I didn’t want that safety net... I let my license expire and just went for it,” shares Nathan Sawaya in Episode 188 of You Are a Lawyer.
Today, he’s not just a brick artist—he’s a bestselling author, international exhibitor, and producer on LEGO Masters. His exhibitions tour the world, and his book The Art of the Brick: A Life in LEGO reveals the thought and emotion behind his sculptures. His story is the ultimate side hustle success—proof that your 5–9 can become your life’s work when you dare to go all in.
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Nathan is not currently licensed to practice law.
Learn more about Nathan | Art of the Brick
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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