Margeaux Thomas is a litigator and founder of The Thomas Law Office, P.C., a firm that focuses on "business divorces" – complex breakups between business partners. In this episode, Margeaux shares her journey from Ohio to the DMV, what drew her to commercial litigation, and how she built a thriving law firm dedicated to helping small businesses through conflict. She also talks about growing up around quiet entrepreneurship and why personality type plays a big role in choosing your legal niche.
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Margeaux Thomas is the founder of The Thomas Law Office, P.C., a boutique firm based in Fairfax, Virginia that focuses on what she calls "business divorces." After starting her career in a large firm handling bank litigation and asbestos cases, Margeaux knew she needed a practice area that matched her strengths. Business litigation gave her a clear, structured way to serve small businesses in conflict. Her practice now handles disputes involving everything from intellectual property to fraud to partner buyouts, often across state and federal courts.
“Even though it’s a niche practice, it bleeds into a lot of different areas of law," shares Margeaux Thomas on You Are A Lawyer.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Margeaux relocated to the D.C. area for law school and never left. She began her firm at her dining room table and has since grown it into a multi-attorney practice. Margeaux credits her entrepreneurial spirit in part to her parents, who worked traditional jobs but invested in real estate on the side, planting seeds of ownership and independence that she didn't fully realize until later in life.
Margeaux went straight to law school after college, driven by a love of learning and the logic of legal analysis. She didn’t know many lawyers growing up, but her parents' close friend introduced her to the possibilities. Moving from a small town in Ohio to the busy streets of D.C. was a culture shock, but she found her stride in the intellectual rigor of the classroom.
“I really liked the Socratic method. I liked the philosophy of it. It was just very pure analytical, which I really, really liked," reflects Margeaux Thomas on Episode 197 of You Are a Lawyer.
She chose Catholic University Law School over less expensive options because she believed going to school in D.C. would help her build connections and get hired locally. That leap of faith—and a substantial student loan commitment—ultimately paid off with on-campus interviews and a job that launched her into commercial litigation.
For Margeaux, a law degree opens doors far beyond the courtroom. In D.C., she says, people with JDs are everywhere—in politics, nonprofit work, media, and consulting. Law school taught her how to think, argue, and lead, which she sees as transferable to almost any sector. While she chose to remain in the practice of law, she encourages others to think creatively.
“I don’t think it needs to be so linear. I don’t think it means you need to go to a firm," shared Margeaux Thomas on Episode 197 of You Are a Lawyer.
She emphasizes that success in law doesn’t have to follow a traditional path. Whether it’s lobbying, managing teams, building a startup, or entering the arts, a legal education gives you analytical tools and confidence that can be applied across industries.
While Margeaux’s legal practice is her main business, she also maintains a vibrant presence on LinkedIn and integrates her personal interests, especially swimming, into her professional brand. By sharing her swim journey, personal milestones, and non-legal reflections, she’s built an engaged audience that connects with her on multiple levels. This has become a powerful tool for business development.
“I also post a lot about things that aren’t legal… People follow that and I go places and people talk about it, which is kind of cool,” expresses Margeaux Thomas in Episode 197 of You Are a Lawyer.
Her “side hustle” isn’t a separate business, but rather a lifestyle of authentic marketing and personal storytelling that enhances her professional success. Her experience demonstrates how being relatable and real online can complement a highly focused and serious legal career.
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Margeaux is licensed to practice law in the States of Virginia & Maryland, and DC.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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