Jimin Oh Of Solution Now Law Firm: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To Make That Happen
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Mentorship is crucial for aspiring female founders. Many women hesitate to start businesses because they lack the guidance or role models that show them it’s possible.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jimin Oh.
Jimin has an extensive background in personal injury law and has handled thousands of auto accident cases. She founded Solution Now Law Firm to build a law firm unlike any other. She prides herself on leading a team dedicated to providing personal attention to each of her clients.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I’ve always been someone who thrives on efficiency and practicality. Even from a young age, I was fascinated by the idea of using knowledge to solve problems in a direct, impactful way. This naturally led me to pursue a career in law, where I could help people navigate complex challenges and find real solutions.
Initially, I thought criminal law might be my path. After working in a public defender’s office, though, I realized it wasn’t for me. Family law seemed like a better fit, given my passion for advocating for children, but I soon found that cases often dragged on for years without a clear resolution, which didn’t align with my need for closure.
It wasn’t until I worked at a general practice firm that I discovered personal injury law. It was exactly what I had been searching for: a field where I could see tangible results. There was a clear start — an accident — and an end — a settlement, usually within months. It combined my love for negotiation and my desire to make a direct impact on my clients’ lives.
In 2019, I decided to start my own firm, focusing exclusively on auto accident injury cases.I’m proud to say that today I lead a team where over 75% are women, and 50% are moms. From the beginning, I was committed to creating a work environment where women, especially mothers, could thrive. Empowering them has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey as a founder.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
When I first launched my firm, I had a moment of doubt. Who would want to hire a law firm run by a young, small, Asian woman? I was in my mid-thirties, and while my website was up, the calls weren’t exactly flooding in. I even debated removing my profile photo from the “About Us” page, thinking maybe clients would take me more seriously if they didn’t know I was a young Asian woman. With a rare name like Jimin, people wouldn’t even know if I was a man or woman.
But then, something surprising happened. Clients who hired me kept telling me they chose my firm because of me. They liked how I communicated with them during the intake call — my empathy, attention to detail, and the way I explained everything thoroughly, with a humble yet confident tone. They appreciated that I wasn’t just another attorney rushing through the process. I was focused on empowering them with the knowledge they needed to make informed decisions. I realized my identity — who I am — wasn’t something to hide. It was my strength.
I embraced this realization and built my firm’s brand around it. I couldn’t — and didn’t want to — fake who I was. I hired people who reflected the same values of empathy, care, and attention to detail. Over the next few years, my firm grew, and we gained over 500 5-star reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google. Clients repeatedly mentioned how much they appreciated the personalized care and respect they received. We made it a priority to educate our clients, equipping them with the legal knowledge they needed to make their own decisions rather than being pressured into following our advice blindly.
Unlike many other firms, I refuse to let my firm run like a factory, where clients are just another case number. If my staff is too busy to speak with clients or give them updates, we either reduce our caseload or hire more people. I don’t run my firm purely for profit — it’s about serving people and ensuring that they feel heard and cared for every step of the way.
Today, I no longer take initial intake calls, but I still hear from our intake specialists that many clients come to us because they love the unique identity of our firm — a firm led by a female, Asian attorney who truly cares about them. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
In the early days of my firm, I was juggling a million things at once, wearing many hats — attorney, paralegal, and IT support. One morning, I was rushing to court for a case I’d been preparing for tirelessly. I was focused, mentally going over every detail as I hurried out the door. When I put on my seatbelt, something felt off. That’s when I realized — I had completely forgotten to put on a bra! It was too late to turn back, so I drove to the courthouse, trying to stay calm. During the court hearing, I was very conscious of it, but thankfully, no one seemed to notice, and I went on with my argument. The case ended up going well.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I owe a big part of my success to my husband. From the very beginning, when I made the decision to start my own firm, he was nothing but supportive. Even though he didn’t have experience running a business and never gave me advice in that area, he consistently expressed how proud he was of me and my ambition.
When I first started the firm, the workload was overwhelming. As anyone who’s launched a business can relate, the days never really ended. While his workday wrapped up at 5 p.m., mine often stretched far into the night. During that time, he completely took over the household chores and managed things on the home front. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or making sure our daughter was cared for, he stepped up without hesitation. There were many late nights when I’d be buried in case files or working on a strategy, and he’d quietly handle everything else, giving me the mental space and energy I needed to grow the firm.
What’s been most incredible, though, is how seamlessly he adapted to this role, never making me feel guilty for how much time and energy I had to pour into building my business.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries.
If there’s one tip I’d give to any aspiring female founder just starting her business, it’s this: don’t let failure stop you. When I started my firm, I made my fair share of mistakes. I hired the wrong company to run ads for us, spent a significant amount of money on a social media campaign that flopped, and even brought on employees who were destructive to our firm’s culture. At one point, I was even falsely accused of being unethical by an attorney I’d beaten in court. Every time something like this happened, I was under immense stress, couldn’t sleep, and questioned if this was really the life I wanted. There were moments where I thought, “Maybe I should just live a simpler life.”
But I pushed through. Every failure felt like a step backward, but in hindsight, each was an opportunity for me to grow exponentially. Now, I know how to thoroughly vet marketing companies before hiring them. I brought in an HR consulting firm that handles everything from compliance to payroll, freeing me to focus on what I do best — practicing law and running my firm. I still make mistakes, but I’ve learned that every hurdle is a chance to improve and build something better.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
One quote that has resonated deeply with me throughout my career is:
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I first started my law firm, I was constantly told that the only way to succeed as a small startup was by networking with local body shops and medical providers who could refer me cases. This was the traditional path, and everyone assured me it was the only way to compete with the well-established, bigger firms in the Bay Area.
So, I followed the advice. I visited body shops, bought lunch for providers, and tried to build relationships. But most of the places I visited were owned by men who either dismissed me or made inappropriate comments. The environment was uncomfortable and didn’t reflect the kind of firm I wanted to run. After several frustrating and demoralizing encounters, I realized that this wasn’t what I had founded my firm for — I didn’t want to force myself into a culture that didn’t align with my values.
I decided to ditch that approach and focus on what felt true to me: building a strong online presence. I started leveraging platforms like Yelp and Google, focusing on showcasing our case results and firm philosophy and letting our clients’ reviews speak for themselves. Rather than trying to fit into someone else’s mold, I focused on delivering excellent legal service, and in turn, clients began finding us. Now, most of our cases come from people who have already done their research and decided to hire us before even making the first call.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
One of the most meaningful ways I’ve used my success is by creating opportunities for women, especially mothers, in the workplace. As a female founder, I know firsthand the challenges women face, particularly in male-dominated industries like law. I’ve made it a priority to build a firm where women don’t just have a place — they thrive. Over 75% of my team are women, and half are mothers. I’ve worked hard to ensure that our work environment is flexible and supportive, allowing women to pursue their careers without sacrificing their personal lives. This means offering flexible schedules, remote work options, and creating a culture where empathy and balance are valued just as much as professional excellence.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
Societal expectations around balancing family life and career. Women are often expected to take on the primary caregiving role for children. This creates a significant challenge when it comes to founding a business, as starting and running a business is often seen as an all-consuming endeavor. For many women, the internal conflict between being present for their families and devoting the time and energy needed to grow a business feels like an impossible balancing act. This pressure to “do it all” can make women hesitant to take the plunge into starting their own business, fearing that they’ll have to sacrifice one role for the other.
That said, today’s digital age has made it a bit easier for women to start businesses, especially those that are online-based. Remote work and flexible schedules allow women to build companies in their own time — whether it’s working late at night after the kids are asleep or balancing their day between family and business tasks. Of course, this flexibility largely depends on the type of business being launched, but the opportunities for online business have certainly expanded. Even with these advancements, I strongly believe that support from family and friends — especially spouses — is crucial. Having a solid support system makes a world of difference when it comes to balancing the demands of business and personal life.
Can you share with our readers what you are doing to help empower women to become founders?
I get a lot of calls from my women alums — who want to open their own law firm. To friends who were debating on it, I always encourage them to take the step of faith. It’s scary at first, but it’ll be worth it. I share my stories — what worked and what didn’t. I currently mentor five friends on a regular basis — some has already opened their firm, some are in the preparation stage. I share all the know-hows, how to create your website, how to name it, how to brand it, how to get the first clients, staff structure, finance, incorporation, state bar compliance, etc. I become excited talking about it and coaching, because it reminds me how I started everything. I want my colleagues to thrive and succeed as female law firm owners. Because there’s really not that many female law firm founders/owners out there.
I also mentor non-attorney female founders — some are cake bakers, others are makeup artists, and some run arts and crafts classes for toddlers. I’ve built a strong online presence for my firm, and it’s been key to our success in attracting clients. I’ve become passionate about sharing my tips and strategies with other women business owners, showing them how to create a brand that resonates and attracts customers. I love seeing their businesses grow as a result of our conversations.
This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
In my experience, women bring something incredibly special to the table — especially in fields like law. Attorneys are not just tasked with solving legal issues; they’re also responsible for connecting with clients in the right way. This is an aspect that many overlook. I’ve found that half of the job is educating clients about the law — how it applies to their cases — and providing detailed updates on their case’s status. This level of transparency and communication is often where women attorneys truly excel. We approach client relationships with empathy and patience, ensuring they feel heard and supported throughout the process.
Another reason women should become founders is that they often create a very different work culture. I’ve seen firsthand that women founders tend to foster environments that are more collaborative, supportive, and inclusive. My staff has told me that the atmosphere at my firm is unlike any they’ve experienced at firms led by other attorneys. They feel safe, valued, and heard because we operate with less of a rigid, top-down structure. We work together as a team, and I prioritize building a culture where everyone feels like a contributor, not just an employee.
Can you please share 5 things that can be done or should be done to help empower more women to become founders?
- Support other female founders. I work closely with Level Up Pros, an HR company run by two incredible women. They handle all of our HR needs — payroll, retirement benefits, health insurance, compliance, and more. By choosing to partner with female-led businesses, I’m not only getting top-notch service, but I’m also contributing to the growth and success of other women business owners.
- Mentorship is crucial for aspiring female founders. Many women hesitate to start businesses because they lack the guidance or role models that show them it’s possible.
- Promote work-life balance solutions for founders. Promoting solutions that allow founders to thrive professionally without sacrificing personal commitments can make a huge difference. Offering insights on time management, flexible schedules, and prioritization can empower more women to confidently launch businesses. Personally, I’ve developed systems in my firm that allow me and my team to focus on work during business hours while still having room for family life, and I share these strategies with women considering entrepreneurship.
- Encourage women to leverage their unique perspectives as an asset. Women often bring different viewpoints and approaches to leadership, which is a significant asset in business. Encouraging women to embrace these unique perspectives can set them apart in the marketplace.
- Policy change. Providing grants or tax incentives for women-led businesses.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Establishing local business incubators designed specifically for women founders. These incubators would provide affordable office space, mentorship, and training programs for women at every stage of business development — from idea to scaling.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can check my website:www.solutionnowlawfirm.com or my IG accounts: @solutionnowlawfirm or @attorneyjimin
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Jimin Oh Of Solution Now Law Firm: Why We Need More Women Founders & Here Is What We Are Doing To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.