We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sul Lee. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Sul, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
When I first come in, I try to write down a few objectives for the day. I keep it to about three, just because my role also involves supporting a lot of others. So I usually list the three things I must get done.
Other than that, I have a set schedule — like my consultation days and my docket meeting days. But throughout the rest of the day, it’s really a lot of supporting the team. That’s honestly what my normal day looks like.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sul Lee. Our firm mainly does business work. Our mission statement is: we liberate businesses from dispute. That’s what we do every single day. We have both a transactions team and a litigation team.
On the litigation side, the business is already in a dispute, and we try to resolve it — whether that’s through settlement or through trial. Our goal is to resolve the dispute they’re facing.
On the transactions team, the goal is to eliminate the possibility of disputes before they happen, when parties are entering into a deal. So that’s what we do every day, and that reflects our mission statement.
What’s unique or special about us is that we’re a small firm, but we have a very diverse group of attorneys who can handle cases in a sophisticated manner. We have different attorneys with different strengths — we have excellent writers, excellent presenters, excellent negotiators. Each attorney plays their role really well.
We’re also unique in the sense that we’re not too arrogant to ignore that we have flaws or shortcomings, but at the same time, we know our strengths. And we know how to utilize different attorneys at the right time for the right negotiation and resolution
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think when I got my first check working for myself, it was a very powerful experience. It felt big in the sense that I didn’t need to rely on an employer to make my living. That was really meaningful for me.
Until then, I had a long history of being a student, being a child, being an employee — you’re told what to do in all of those roles.
But when you become an employer of yourself for the first time, you’re making decisions on your own and executing them. And when those decisions actually bring results, it’s a very powerful experience
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are a lot of times where it’s very hard. I think it’s very hard to manage people. Managing people has always been a struggle — some people work well under pressure, some people don’t. Some people respond well to criticism, some people don’t. People are very different.
I remember there was a time when I had several employees quit around the same period, and that was really tough for me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I think there was a belief that… sales was something you do for yourself. I used to think sales meant you’re trying to sell something to another person — like, if I’m a spa service, I have to convince someone to buy my service.
But now I genuinely believe sales is different. It’s really about finding the person who needs your service, and then providing it in the way they need. It’s a moment of the person who needs something meeting the person who can provide it.
When I was younger, there was this kind of ‘dirty’ feeling about sales — like you’re trying to make something look bigger or better than it is just to sell it. I think that was my old mindset.
But now, after being in business, I’ve experienced many times where I needed something, and I needed to find the right person to do it — and I was happy to pay for it.
So that belief really changed for me. I was naive to think someone would buy my service even if they didn’t need it. That’s not true. Everyone who reaches out needs something — the real question is whether I can provide the right service to meet that need. That’s what sales really is.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I try not to care too much about what people think of me, so a lot of those things matter less now. But there are a few things I do care about. I don’t want people to have to deal with my mess.
I really believe in a kind of minimalism — setting things up properly, cleaning up after myself, not buying too much. A part of me feels that when I’m gone, it shouldn’t burden anyone. I hope I don’t leave a mess behind.
And I hope people remember me as a good attorney. That would mean a lot to me. I’ve worked in this job for a very long time, and I genuinely care about providing good quality service. Being remembered that way would be wonderful.
I also want to be remembered as a good mom, and a good wife. And when I’m gone, I hope people don’t have to deal with burdens I left behind — I hope they remember me for the good memories, rather than cleaning up my mess.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sulleelaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sulleelawfirmpllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sul-lee-pllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sulleelawfirmpllc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SulLeeLawFirm
