Join Rebecca Adelman, Esq. as she shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship and the inspirations that continue to drive her firm forward. From her early days in Memphis’ historic South Main district to navigating the challenges of modern legal practice, Adelman Firm’s story is more than a logo—it’s one of resilience, vision, and transformation. Explore how Rebecca’s experiences, passion for inclusivity, and innovation have shaped the Adelman Firm’s legacy and its bright future.
My Journey into Entrepreneurship
My journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a combination of foresight and foundational experiences in the legal field. Early on, I recognized the emerging trends in health care and litigation. More than 35 years ago, I saw an opportunity to create a law firm that not only addressed legal challenges, but also preemptively managed risks. This third vision really was greatly inspired by my mentors and these established giants who were here in the Memphis legal community who were on the scene. They instilled in me this sort of courage and insight that I needed to venture out—to venture out on my own. Choosing South Main in the early 1990s was strategic and symbolic. Before its renaissance as a cultural hub, it was a place steeped in history, needing rejuvenation, much like the innovative legal services I aim to provide. The location was right across the street from the arcade Diner, Memphis’s oldest, and near the National Civil Rights Museum, and that reflected this sort of blend of deep historical significance with the promise of growth and revival. This location mirrored the ethos I was envisioning for Adelman Firm. I also needed an economical location, and creating it on South Main Street made financial sense. The original logo was inspired by a painting I admired in an art gallery across from our office, painted by John Robinette. I would visit John in the gallery nearly every day when I first moved in, and this piece featured a crescent moon over a highway.
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The Evolution of Our Logo
Highway 61 is the Blues Highway that runs from New Orleans through Memphis to Minnesota, and I felt just deeply connected to this painting—and this image inspired our first logo, a gold crescent moon circle that reflected the values of continuity, wholeness, and inclusion. As we moved into the digital age and our firm matured, the logo evolved to include green pillars with the Adelman Firm on it, symbolizing strength, stability, and foundational principles of law, which were core attributes of our practice. But, you know, during the pandemic, reflecting on our own legacy and facing the future, I felt a strong pull back to our origins. I revived the circle motif, which is now enriched with green, to represent life and vitality in our commitment to dynamic client-centered legal services. This adoption symbolizes our full circle journey and our readiness to address future challenges with resilience and adaptability.
The circle motif in our logo is profoundly meaningful, and it’s symbolizing more than just continuity. It represents the cycle of growth and learning and adoption that has characterized our firm over the years. The original crescent moon, inspired by John’s painting, highlighted our beginnings, which were embracing new perspectives and broadening horizons in the legal field. As our firm’s capabilities and reputation grew, I felt the need to project more traditional values with the green pillars, emphasizing the strength, stability, and foundational principles of the law—and these pillars served us well as we established our reputation in health care litigation, risk management, and business law. However, the pandemic and the rapid changes it brought to the legal industry, prompted this period of reflection on what truly defines Adelman Firm. This introspection led to a resurgence of our original values—those of innovation, inclusivity, and client-centered services.
Certification as a Woman Business Enterprise
Achieving national certification as a woman-owned business enterprise has been really important to us. It really underscores our dedication to diversity and empowerment within the legal community, particularly for women professionals. And this certification isn’t just a label—it is a reflection of our firm’s commitment to fostering an environment where women can lead and excel. It honors the legacy of legal pioneers who open doors for women in the law, guiding our mission to continue breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks in the legal field. So these pioneers have been instrumental in shaping my professional path and the culture. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was admitted into the US Supreme Court, relentlessly fought for gender equality; Sandra Day O’Connor’s groundbreaking role on the US Supreme Court; Charlotte Rae’s perseverance against racial and gender biases—and she also founded her own law firm; Bella Abzug’s activism has inspired our firm’s values and me personally. Their lives and their careers remind us that vision and persistence can challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change. At Adelman Firm, we are deeply committed to delivering affordable and accessible legal services without compromising on quality. Our approach is built around understanding the specific needs and challenges of each client, which enables us to offer tailored and effective legal solutions.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead, Adelman Firm is poised to continue evolving with the same spirit and innovation and commitment to excellence that has been our hallmark. The renewed circle logo not only gives us access to our roots, but also pushes us forward into the future. It represents our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and client focused legal services and adapting to changes and upholding the values of resilience and inclusivity. This symbol is a beacon of our past achievements and our aspirations for the future, ensuring that we remain a dynamic and forward thinking firm in a rapidly changing world.
Our journey as a firm exemplifies the power of vision, perseverance, and a commitment to meaningful change. Adelman Firm has become a symbol of resilience and forward-thinking leadership with a renewed focus on its foundational values and a bold outlook on the future.
Learn how the Adelman Firm can bring its innovative, client-focused approach to meet your legal needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and commitment to excellence.
