In this special episode, Senior Attorney Edye Edens sits down with Darshan Kulkarni, founder and principal of the Kulkarni Law Firm, for a personal and honest look at how the firm came to be. Darshan shares how the firm was born in the shadow of the 2008 financial crisis—at a time when job security was shaky and entrepreneurship felt more like a risk than an opportunity. What started as a leap of faith became a 15+ year journey rooted in intentionality, versatility, and a deep belief in building something better than the traditional legal mold.

Darshan recounts his unique path: working as both a pharmacist and a lawyer, taking client calls from the base of Machu Picchu, and embracing the uncertainty that comes with launching a firm from scratch. He and Edye reflect on the transitions between year one, year five, and year fifteen—how the vision has shifted, and how staying agile has helped the firm grow without losing its purpose. The conversation explores what it means to be different in a profession that often values conformity, and why both Darshan and Edye chose quality of life, real client value, and adaptability over rigid systems.

They also discuss big career moments, the influences that shaped their outlooks, and the challenges of being entrepreneurial in a space dominated by structure. Whether you’re a startup founder, a healthcare professional, or just curious about the story behind KLF, this episode offers an unfiltered glimpse into the passion and strategy behind one of the few boutique law firms dedicated to life sciences, clinical research, and regulatory innovation.

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