Founder Works More Hours Than Big Law—and Loves It | Soxton AI Founder Logan Brown

The allure of entrepreneurship often includes visions of autonomy and a better work-life balance. But for Logan Brown, founder of Soxton, an AI-powered legal services firm, the reality has been a significant increase in workload compared to her previous career as a lawyer. Brown’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for those considering leaving a stable job to start their own business, highlighting the intense demands and sacrifices that come with building a company from the ground up.

From Big Law to Startup Founder

Brown, a 30-year-old Vanderbilt University valedictorian and Harvard Law School graduate, spent two years as an associate at the Silicon Valley law firm Cooley LLP before launching Soxton in June 2025. Her path to law wasn’t a late decision; she interned at her hometown’s district attorney’s office even before entering seventh grade. The transition from the established structure of a large law firm to the unpredictable world of a startup founder has been challenging, but ultimately rewarding, despite the increased hours. “I’m coming from a place where people work highly long, hard hours, and I’m working harder now than I ever did in my old job,” Brown told Fortune.

Soxton aims to provide legal services to startups leveraging artificial intelligence. The company emerged from stealth mode in December 2025, securing $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Moxxie Ventures, with participation from Strobe, Coalition, Caterina Fake, and Flex, according to a Business Wire press release. Since then, Soxton has served over 300 companies and currently has a waitlist of 1,500 more startups seeking its services.

The Trade-offs of Entrepreneurship

Brown’s story underscores the often-overlooked trade-offs inherent in entrepreneurship. Whereas she acknowledges a decrease in work-life balance and a temporary pay cut, she emphasizes the increased sense of ownership and fulfillment that comes with building something new. “It’s definitely scary to lose the security of a stable paycheck and be on your own,” she says. “I’m not making more money, but I do have ownership of what I’m doing… We’re able to really help, be a little part of [our customers’] journey, which is fun. That part is far more fulfilling.”

The risk of failure is a significant consideration for any startup. The Harvard Business Review reports that more than two-thirds of startups never deliver a positive return to their investors. However, Brown isn’t a complete newcomer to the startup world. She previously launched a workwear brand, Spencer Jane, while still a student at Harvard, giving her some experience navigating the challenges of building a business.

A Perfect Storm of Opportunity

Several factors converged to make Brown feel the time was right to launch Soxton. A 2025 study by Thomson Reuters found that 80% of legal professionals believe AI will have a high or transformational impact on their firms within the next five years. Her experience at Cooley LLP exposed her to the growing intersection of technology startups and legal needs. Brown’s early interest in coding – sparked by seeing Mark Zuckerberg on the cover of Time magazine in 2010 – provided her with a technical foundation to lead an AI-powered company.

“This technology is very real, and there’s a lot of things that uniquely right now, with my background, make sense,” Brown explains. “I don’t want to be a founder for being a founder’s sake. That’s a bad idea, because it’s a very hard job.”

The Changing Legal Landscape

Brown envisions a significant transformation of the legal industry over the next decade, driven by advancements in technology. She describes the current legal profession as akin to “yellow pages” or Blockbuster, suggesting This proves ripe for disruption. “In 10 years, the legal profession and the way legal services are consumed by users [will be] fundamentally different than it is now,” she predicts. This anticipated shift is a key driver behind Soxton’s focus on leveraging AI to streamline legal processes and provide more accessible services to startups.

While Brown acknowledges the demanding nature of her current role, she emphasizes that the long hours are driven by passion and a sense of purpose. “I care a lot more now, and the hours have a lot more meaning,” she says. “But I don’t think it’s sustainable for forever.” She is currently focused on creating a work environment within Soxton that prioritizes meaningful, task-based work, avoiding the intense “996” work schedule – working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week – that has become prevalent in some tech companies.

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Model

Brown’s long-term vision for Soxton involves building a sustainable business model that doesn’t rely on unsustainable work hours. The company’s success will depend on its ability to continue attracting funding, expanding its client base, and staying ahead of the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The legal tech market is becoming increasingly competitive, and Soxton will need to differentiate itself through innovation and a commitment to providing high-quality, efficient legal services to startups. The next phase for Soxton will likely involve scaling its operations and potentially seeking further investment to fuel its growth.