"I want people who are thrilled to be here and happy to do the work. I have no interest in hostages. We're going to stop on the moon here. You can exit or you can strap in." - Elise Buie

The beating heart of a “unicorn rocket ship” firm is culture. Each “astronaut” must share inherent values: innovation, growth mindset, and deep care. The rest can be taught. The virtual firm of the future requires a special strength: one built on a foundation of flexibility tempered with accountability and radical candor. During periods of growth, culture calls solidify this alignment between the firm and staff.

Elise Buie, Founder and CEO of Elise Buie Family Law, is a visionary for virtual law firms. The self-appointed Ms. Frizzle/cheerleader invests tirelessly into her team — who will in turn pour into her clients. Building a robust culture in which a fully remote team knows one another deeply may take time and effort — but the reward is well worth the investment.

Today, Elise reveals the crucial elements for a successful marriage and what makes her such a successful leader. She explains that fully saying YES to something requires joyful and frequent NOs to everything else, and how un-retirement set her on a path to change the game in practicing family law.

Work fuels our lives. In life and in work, emergencies happen. Just as we should be able to take our child to the doctor without it feeling like a favor, we should be able to answer emergency work emails from their soccer game without feeling guilt. Focus on work-life integration over an elusive and unattainable balance. Successful virtual firms set up an environment in which team members are empowered to work a schedule that fits their lives.

Michael Mogill, Crisp, and Elise Buie