In 2026, our firm has a new attorney and a new building. With so many exciting changes, we asked our owner and veteran attorney with over 18 years of experience to write a short note to himself starting out in the profession. To complete the exercise, we asked our new attorney who just obtained his license to practice law in November of 2025 to write some thoughts to his future self at 18 years of practice. We specifically did not let them compare what they wrote.
Let’s read what they put together.
Rhys Richards | Founder & Attorney
Question: Rhys, with over 18 years of practice, what would you advise yourself as an attorney first starting out?
Rhys: Boy, nothing like a philosophical experiment to brighten up a Monday morning. Here’s what I’d tell that young, energetic newbie…
You chose a good, honest profession that will both teach you and allow you to give back. Like any profession, you will encounter a roller coaster of experiences and emotions. You will have more good than bad days. Watch out for anyone who tells you can only have good days if you’ve chosen the right career, that’s just crazy talk. You will enjoy working for injured people against insurance companies. Some may say it’s a modern-day David versus Goliath, which may be true. But you’ll appreciate working for injured people because they are the same people you grew up with, played sports with then and now, and still interact with regularly in your personal life. They deserve the best representation possible, and you will cherish providing exactly that because their voices may not be heard if you don’t.
You will give a lot of time to your profession by serving in various organizations and on various boards, because you believe that’s what an attorney is supposed to do. You will volunteer a lot of time to various community-based initiatives and coaching hockey, because you believe that’s what an attorney is supposed to do. As much as your professional results for your clients will reward you, your volunteerism will complete you.
You will meet attorneys who practice differently. Some attorneys will use advertising to obtain as many cases as possible. Some attorneys will boast about their results. You won’t want to do any of that, and you don’t have to. You should continue to be you. Practice how you know best and continue to be yourself. Do not be tempted to be any other attorney. You have one reputation. Cherish it, cultivate it, and other attorneys and your clients will know and respect exactly who you are.
Devin M. Grimsley | Attorney
Question: As the new kid on the block, what would you say to future you with 18 years of practice?
Devin: That guy’s really old! Here goes…
Your practice can vote! You have made it eighteen years in the practice of law. I feel a pride in writing this that I hope your heart beats with just as vigorously reading it. We dedicated our entire youth to reach this moment with eighteen years of education and now you have seen the fruits of our labor with eighteen years of practice. Right now, I am nervous and still learning how to nourish the trust and confidence that our clients and peers place onto me. Right now, I am telling myself I belong in this new home of mine.
I don’t know what kind of attorney you have become, but I hope you still cherish the inner child that Christopher Robin once lost and found again. If your career did not turn out the way I imagined, I want you to know that worth was never supposed to come solely from titles, outcomes, or recognition. We have taken on this profession not for the benefit of ourselves, but to offer security in being the person who takes on the burden of resolution and judicial navigation.
Please remember, you don’t have to know everything to be a good lawyer. The young lawyer writing this believes deeply in the potential of himself and the wonderful life ahead of him. If you’re struggling to read this, don’t worry, it was a struggle to write. Be proud. I know I am the man I want to be now, and I hope no matter what, you read this and share that pride with me.
Helping Greater Cincinnati in 2026 and Beyond
At The Richards Firm, a new year means new opportunities to help more people in need. Though we’ve settled into a new building and expanded our team, our values have remained the same. We’re here to make a complex legal system more accessible to those in need.
With The Richards Firm, you will always be treated as an individual with unique needs, questions, and goals. From start to finish, you will work with your attorney. And while we’re eager to have people see our new office, we’re equally happy to meet you wherever you’re most comfortable.
If you’re in need of an accident lawyer in Butler County, contact The Richards Firm today. We can be reached at 513-461-0084 or by visiting our contact page here.