Nick Troxel is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Troxel Fitch, LLC, a business-focused law firm in Denver. In this episode, he shares how he went from driving Lyft after law school to building a thriving firm with his law school roommate. If you've ever dreamed of starting your own legal business, or wondered if it's worth the ris, this conversation is for you.
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Nick Troxel is the co-founder of Troxel Fitch LLC, a business law firm based in Denver, Colorado. Unlike many lawyers who follow a traditional path through clerkships and associate roles, Nick launched his own firm immediately after law school with no funding, no clients, and no safety net. He and his law school roommate split expenses, drove for Lyft, and took on every opportunity they could find to make their dream of independent legal practice a reality. That early hustle shaped how they serve their clients today: resourceful, resilient, and client-focused.
"We would drive Lyft and eat canned beans and ramen noodles when we first started the firm," shares Nick Troxel on You Are A Lawyer.
But Nick’s entrepreneurial mindset didn’t begin in law school. With a background in accounting and a lifelong interest in business, he always viewed his JD as a tool, not a destination. His path reflects a deeper goal: to build a professional life rooted in freedom, self-direction, and meaningful relationships. He now works with startups, founders, and small business owners, helping them grow with the legal guidance he once needed himself.
Nick didn’t always know what kind of law he wanted to practice but he was drawn to the critical thinking and versatility that a JD offered. Coming from a business and accounting background, he saw legal training as a way to round out his skills and eventually support entrepreneurial ventures. At first, he tried to follow the expected path, applying to large firms and considering traditional roles. But something never quite clicked.
"I drank the Kool-Aid like many other law students… I kind of convinced myself: maybe just working with entrepreneurs will scratch the itch," reflects Nick Troxel on Episode 76 of You Are a Lawyer.
By his third year of law school, Nick began to imagine a different future. He wanted control over his schedule, the freedom to shape his career, and the ability to build something of his own. Instead of settling into someone else’s idea of success, he started designing his own version—and law school became a stepping stone, not a life sentence.
For Nick, a law degree isn’t just about practicing law, it’s about unlocking a mindset. Legal education, he says, trains you to think through problems with structure and strategy, which can be applied to everything from business development to coaching to leadership. He believes that lawyers don’t give themselves enough credit for how transferable their skills really are.
"If you're just willing to dive in and do it and try, you really can do anything you want," explains Nick Troxel, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.
Nick’s own journey, of building a firm from the ground up, advising founders, co-authoring a book, and mentoring others, shows just how flexible a JD can be. Whether you want to practice law, launch a product, or become a consultant, the foundation is the same. What matters is how you use it and whether you're brave enough to bet on yourself.
Nick didn’t have a side hustle in the traditional sense—his firm was the hustle. He and his partner built it in real time, taking every contract and client they could, learning by doing, and stretching every dollar. The early months were full of late nights, part-time jobs, and small wins that added up to something bigger. Over time, that side hustle became a full-fledged, thriving firm.
“I didn’t do this to be super rich or anything. I mean, I want freedom. And that’s ultimately what entrepreneurship can give you,” shares Nick Troxel in Episode 76 of You Are a Lawyer.
In addition to running his practice, Nick also co-authored How to Be a Lawyer, a book that aims to demystify the transition from law school to practice. His passion for helping new lawyers build sustainable careers has become a core part of his identity. He proves that a non-traditional career doesn’t mean a lesser one. It often means a more fulfilling one, especially when it’s built with intention and courage.
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Nick is currently licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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