Launching a law firm demands the same grit and leadership that built careers in the courtroom. In this episode of Stir, Aginto’s Chris Williams sits down with Patrick Hale and Patrick Iyampallai—partners at Hale Law—to explore their four-year journey from solo attorneys to firm owners. Navigating rapid growth, pandemic upheaval, and community impact, the two “Patricks” share how friendship, family values, and adaptability have driven their success in Sarasota’s legal landscape.
Two Patricks, One Vision
Patrick Hale describes himself first as a dedicated family man—husband and father to a 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son—whose community spirit fuels both his personal and professional life. He credits coaching youth soccer and providing for his family as core motivations behind his work.
Patrick Iyampallai (“I am polite,” he jokes) brings creative balance as a cat dad, guitarist, DJ, and FSU football fan. A self-confessed sci-fi junkie whose favorite film is The Empire Strikes Back, he channels that imaginative energy into delivering empathetic, client-focused legal services.
Their partnership began in law school at Stetson University, where shared first names sparked camaraderie—and later inspired an unexpected business alliance.
Building the Firm—One Hurdle at a Time
On April 6, 2018, the duo opened Hale Law with no playbook for firm ownership. “Running a law practice is running a business,” says Patrick Hale. They learned essentials on the fly: selecting office management software, recruiting and retaining staff, securing leases and insurance, and managing payroll. Each operational puzzle piece tested their resolve, but their complementary strengths—and unwavering friendship—kept momentum strong.
Thriving Through the Pandemic
When COVID-19 struck, many firms struggled to adapt. Hale Law’s digital foundation—paperless records, client texting, and cloud-based workflows—allowed them to continue service seamlessly. While traffic and cases initially slowed, they rebounded quickly as statewide reopenings and the settlement lag on pre-pandemic cases boosted new and legacy claim volume. “We were in a better position than many older firms,” recalls Patrick Iyampallai, thanks to their lean overhead and tech-savvy structure.
Community at the Core
Giving back is central to Hale Law’s ethos. Both partners actively sponsor and participate in local initiatives:
-
5K Sponsorships & Childhood Cancer Relief: Supporting the Big Bill Foundation’s races to benefit pediatric oncology.
-
Back-to-School Drives: Teaming with Penguin Productions to outfit students with supplies.
-
Legal Mentorship: Guiding Booker High’s pre-law program students and serving as volunteer judges in youth diversion court, empowering teens to learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment.
“Our community made us who we are,” says Patrick Hale. “Supporting it is our privilege.”
What We’d Do Differently
Reflecting on their journey, both Patricks acknowledge moments of doubt. Would they ease hesitation around decision-making? “I shouldn’t have second-guessed myself so much,” admits Hale. Their advice: trust your expertise, embrace the learning curve, and leverage your skills—because every challenge they faced was surmountable together.
The Road Ahead
With seven years of firm leadership under their belts, the Patricks are excited by growth opportunities: expanding staff, exploring new practice areas, and deepening their community impact. True to their roots, they plan to keep Sarasota’s needs at the forefront—offering referrals when cases lie outside their scope and ensuring every client finds trusted counsel.
<iframe width=”100%” height=”200″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZJ72VSjGfw?si=IrGQzwIPyMiAkB2U” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Launching a law firm demands the same grit and leadership that built careers in the courtroom. In this episode of Stir, Aginto’s Chris Williams sits down with Patrick Hale and Patrick Iyampallai—partners at Hale Law—to explore their four-year journey from solo attorneys to firm owners. Navigating rapid growth, pandemic upheaval, and community impact, the two “Patricks” share how friendship, family values, and adaptability have driven their success in Sarasota’s legal landscape.
Two Patricks, One Vision
Patrick Hale describes himself first as a dedicated family man—husband and father to a 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son—whose community spirit fuels both his personal and professional life. He credits coaching youth soccer and providing for his family as core motivations behind his work.
Patrick Iyampallai (“I am polite,” he jokes) brings creative balance as a cat dad, guitarist, DJ, and FSU football fan. A self-confessed sci-fi junkie whose favorite film is The Empire Strikes Back, he channels that imaginative energy into delivering empathetic, client-focused legal services.
Their partnership began in law school at Stetson University, where shared first names sparked camaraderie—and later inspired an unexpected business alliance.
Building the Firm—One Hurdle at a Time
On April 6, 2018, the duo opened Hale Law with no playbook for firm ownership. “Running a law practice is running a business,” says Patrick Hale. They learned essentials on the fly: selecting office management software, recruiting and retaining staff, securing leases and insurance, and managing payroll. Each operational puzzle piece tested their resolve, but their complementary strengths—and unwavering friendship—kept momentum strong.
Thriving Through the Pandemic
When COVID-19 struck, many firms struggled to adapt. Hale Law’s digital foundation—paperless records, client texting, and cloud-based workflows—allowed them to continue service seamlessly. While traffic and cases initially slowed, they rebounded quickly as statewide reopenings and the settlement lag on pre-pandemic cases boosted new and legacy claim volume. “We were in a better position than many older firms,” recalls Patrick Iyampallai, thanks to their lean overhead and tech-savvy structure.
Community at the Core
Giving back is central to Hale Law’s ethos. Both partners actively sponsor and participate in local initiatives:
-
5K Sponsorships & Childhood Cancer Relief: Supporting the Big Bill Foundation’s races to benefit pediatric oncology.
-
Back-to-School Drives: Teaming with Penguin Productions to outfit students with supplies.
-
Legal Mentorship: Guiding Booker High’s pre-law program students and serving as volunteer judges in youth diversion court, empowering teens to learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment.
“Our community made us who we are,” says Patrick Hale. “Supporting it is our privilege.”
What We’d Do Differently
Reflecting on their journey, both Patricks acknowledge moments of doubt. Would they ease hesitation around decision-making? “I shouldn’t have second-guessed myself so much,” admits Hale. Their advice: trust your expertise, embrace the learning curve, and leverage your skills—because every challenge they faced was surmountable together.
The Road Ahead
With seven years of firm leadership under their belts, the Patricks are excited by growth opportunities: expanding staff, exploring new practice areas, and deepening their community impact. True to their roots, they plan to keep Sarasota’s needs at the forefront—offering referrals when cases lie outside their scope and ensuring every client finds trusted counsel.
← More Stir Episodes
