Gary Martoccio is an employment lawyer and solo practitioner who left a large firm after 12 years to build his own plaintiffs-side practice. In this episode, Gary shares what it’s like to advocate for employees, run your own firm, and earn multiple state licenses through bar exams and reciprocity. If you’re curious about employment law or considering going solo, this episode gives a real-world perspective you won’t find in law school.
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Gary Martoccio didn’t plan to be a lawyer. After playing college baseball and graduating during the 2008 financial crisis, he explored coaching before a friend nudged him toward law school. With no strong legal background in his family, Gary entered law school with an open mind and a hopeful goal: maybe work in sports law. That dream briefly materialized during law school when he represented minor league players as an agent.
“I ended up taking the LSAT, got into Florida State, went up to visit and I was like, this place is pretty awesome," shares Gary Martoccio on You Are A Lawyer.
Although his original sports law ambitions didn’t pan out, Gary found his niche in plaintiffs’ employment law: representing workers who’ve faced discrimination, retaliation, or termination. After more than a decade at a well-established firm, he made the leap to build his own firm, where he still practices today with a team of trusted colleagues.
Gary’s path to law school was more serendipitous than strategic. With few job prospects and a love for competition, he saw legal training as a smart next step. He didn’t have a clear-cut goal in mind, but law felt like a worthwhile challenge that could open doors.
“I went to law school really just on a whim… one of my good friends was going to law school and he was like, yeah, why don’t you give that a shot," reflects Gary Martoccio on Episode 205 of You Are a Lawyer.
While Gary first imagined working as a sports agent, law school broadened his options. The experience showed him the variety of ways he could advocate for others—and gave him the confidence to embrace uncertainty in his legal career.
Gary’s journey shows how a law degree can provide both structure and flexibility. Even if your first idea doesn’t stick (or your clients don’t make it to the big leagues), your training equips you with skills to succeed in high-stakes environments.
“Don’t just limit yourself to traditional practice… it truly sets you up for so many different avenues," shared Gary Martoccio on Episode 205 of You Are a Lawyer.
Today, Gary practices employment law across multiple states thanks to a smart mix of bar exams and reciprocity. He reminds lawyers and law students that options expand when you take strategic risks early on and the earlier you pivot toward work that feels aligned, the better.
While Gary isn’t running a side hustle in the traditional sense, his law firm is the ultimate entrepreneurial leap. After years of building experience and earning a stellar reputation, he made the decision to go out on his own. Now, he manages his own book of business and runs a streamlined, independent practice focused on employment law.
“It was time… I was getting so many people contacting me directly, and the firm had done everything it could do for me,” Gary Martoccio shares in Episode 205 of You Are a Lawyer.
Gary’s advice to others considering this leap? You’ll know when it’s time. And when it feels right, trust your instincts. Running your own practice comes with more responsibility, but it also comes with unmatched freedom—especially when you already know your area of expertise.
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Gary is licensed to practice law in FL, IL, MA, AZ, NC, TX, TN, GA, and PA.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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