Image commercially licensed from: Unsplash
Co-written with Gregory Keen
In the heart of Brooklyn, where the bustling streets intertwine with the dreams of small business owners, few possess the rare blend of expertise, empathy, and entrepreneurial spirit that Adam Yohanan brings to the table. As a business lawyer and the founder of his own boutique law firm, Yohanan has carved a unique path that has led him from the halls of big-business law to the heart of Main Street, where he dedicates his skills to empowering small businesses across the United States.
From an early age, Yohanan was confident that his path would lead to business law. Armed with an economics degree and a passion for business, he set out to tackle the legal side of entrepreneurship. What he didn’t anticipate, however, was the turn his career would take from the path he once expected.
“Ever since college, I always wanted to be a business lawyer,” he says. “But I didn’t always know I would be a small business lawyer on my own.”
Yohanan began his career at white shoe big law firms like Milbank and Willkie Farr, which provided him with invaluable experience. However, Yohanan admits that he soon realized there was something amiss.
“As I was going through those big firms, there were a lot of things I wasn’t able to do that I wanted to do,” he explains. “I couldn’t serve the clients the way I wanted to. I couldn’t market myself the way I wanted to. I couldn’t price myself the way I wanted to.”
The desire to serve clients more effectively, to market himself authentically, and to connect on a deeper level fueled a transformation within Yohanan. This epiphany inspired his bold decision to launch his own practice, Yohanan PLLC, which focuses on the legal matters of small businesses.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, There are 33.2 million small businesses in America, which combined account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. Furthermore, small businesses are credited with 63% of the new jobs created from 1995 to 2021. Yohanan realized the potential and positive effect he could have on the small business community and decided to go all in on this new venture.
“I branched out about eight months ago. It is new and it’s very scary,” he says. “But it’s something that all or many small businesses deal with. So I think many clients find me relatable because they see that I’m dealing with the same things that they are.”
By embarking on this journey solo, Yohanan found common ground with his clients, strengthening their bond through shared experiences and challenges. He describes his approach as “human-centered,” a quality often overshadowed in the legal landscape. Yohanan’s approachability and willingness to get his hands dirty in the trenches of small business struggles set him apart from the detached image often associated with big law firms.
Yohanan’s firm, nestled within the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, takes a holistic approach to small business law. His offerings span various transactional services, including company formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, and intellectual property matters.
“I want to be known for serving local small businesses, or just any business in the US,” he says. “I’m using those transactional law skills to serve Main Street, ensuring their LLCs and contracts are all straightened out.”
Adam Yohanan’s journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship exemplifies his rare, empathetic approach to the legal profession. He bridges the gap between legal expertise and small business aspirations through his boutique firm, offering a human touch that redefines the traditional attorney-client relationship.
As the Brooklyn streets continue to buzz with the energy of local entrepreneurs, Yohanan stands ready to guide them through the intricacies of the legal landscape, turning their dreams into reality, one transaction at a time.
