Episode 1: The 4% Rule and the Path to Lawyer Financial Freedom

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What would your life look like if you never had to log another billable hour?

Would you finally take that long-overdue sabbatical? Pivot to that passion project you’ve been putting off? Build generational wealth—or maybe just work a little less and spend more time with the people who matter most, without financial stress hanging over you?

These are the kinds of questions at the heart of financial independence (FI)—and they’re exactly what we explore in the very first episode of the LawyerFi Podcast.

This episode dives into one of the simplest yet most powerful concepts in the world of FI: the 4% Rule. Whether you’ve been curious about retirement planning, want more freedom in your career, or just want to understand what financial independence could look like for lawyers, this episode breaks it down in plain English.

What Is the 4% Rule?

The 4% Rule comes from the Trinity Study (1998), a landmark piece of research on retirement planning. The premise is straightforward: if you withdraw 4% of your investments each year (adjusted for inflation), your portfolio should last at least 30 years—even in less-than-ideal market conditions.

In other words, once you’ve saved and invested enough to live off 4% annually, you’ve hit your FI number. That’s the moment where work becomes optional.

Why This Matters for Lawyers

For lawyers, the pull of the billable hour is relentless. Our profession is known for burnout, long hours, and the constant pressure to do more. The 4% Rule offers something radically different: choice.

Choice to scale back without fear. Choice to pursue a passion project. Choice to keep practicing law on your own terms, not because you have to, but because you want to.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, we cover:

• The origin and mechanics of the 4% Rule

• How to calculate your own FI number

• Why the 4% Rule is a starting point, not a rigid formula

• How to align financial independence with your personal and professional goals

You’ll also hear about resources that can help you dig deeper, like The Simple Path to Wealth, research from experts like Wade Pfau and Michael Kitces, and tools like Empower to track your financial progress.

Resources from This Episode

• Original Trinity Study (1998)

• Florida’s Supreme Court Long-Form Financial Affidavit

• The Simple Path To Wealth

• Wade Pfau

• Michael Kitces

• Early Retirement Now

• Empower

• Atticus Law Firm Coaching

  
  

Final Thoughts

The journey to financial independence isn’t about quitting your career tomorrow—it’s about creating freedom and flexibility, one decision at a time. For lawyers, that freedom can mean the difference between living on the edge of burnout and living with intention.

If you’ve ever wondered what your life could look like beyond the billable hour, this episode is the perfect place to start.

Listen now to Episode 1 of the LawyerFi Podcast, and take your first step toward financial freedom.