Attorneys are some of the sharpest professionals I work with. They tackle complex cases, advocate for clients, and manage intense workloads. But when it comes to their own finances, the demands of their careers often leave little time to step back and think through big-picture planning.
Over the years, I’ve worked with attorneys at all stages—some navigating career shifts, others preparing for retirement, and many simply trying to balance enjoying life now with planning for the future. Their situations are all unique, but one thing is always the same: when we bring clarity and structure to their financial world, everything else starts to feel a little less overwhelming.
The case studies below highlight a few of the attorneys I’ve helped—real people with real concerns, looking for a way to make their money work for them, rather than the other way around.
Client #1: Paul and Sara1 (Near Retirement)
Paul, a longtime senior partner at his firm, was approaching retirement and transitioning to a glide path—reducing his hours, compensation, and responsibilities. While he and his wife, Sara, had done well financially, the shift in income raised big questions about their next chapter.
One of Paul’s biggest concerns was cash flow. With a strong charitable commitment and deep involvement in community boards, he worried about how a lower income would impact their giving. At the same time, he was apprehensive about the personal side of retirement—after years of a demanding career, what would his days look like?
Sara shared many of these concerns. She wanted to make sure they could continue supporting the causes they cared about, maintain their lifestyle, and create a fulfilling retirement—one that wasn’t just financially stable but also personally meaningful for both of them.
How I Helped
After carefully evaluating Paul and Sara’s situation, these are the strategies I suggested:
- Retirement cash flow planning: I created a structured, detailed plan to address their income changes before and during retirement.
- Tax optimization with a donor-advised fund: I frontloaded a donor-advised fund during peak earning years to maximize tax perks. Then I calculated the value of their charitable contributions for several years into retirement.
- Mapping out Paul’s next chapter: Retirement isn’t just about finances—it’s also about purpose. To help Paul think through how he wanted to spend his time, treasures, and talents, I asked questions like, “What do you enjoy doing?” and “What do you wish you had more time for?” His answers helped us create a plan for structuring his days in a way that felt fulfilling and aligned with his values.
- Supporting family goals: I assisted Paul’s children with estate planning, eventually building long-term relationships with them as clients.
The Outcome
With a clear plan in place, Paul and Sara moved into retirement with confidence. The donor-advised fund allowed them to maintain their charitable giving, and the cash flow strategy provided clarity around spending. Paul also found new ways to stay involved in the community, making the transition feel more aligned with their family goals.
Meanwhile, estate planning conversations with their children helped strengthen the family’s long-term financial strategy. What started as retirement planning became a foundation for both their future and the next generation.
Client #2: Eric2 (Mid-Career Income Partner)
Background
Eric was a non-equity income partner at a large law firm, earning a strong salary but feeling the weight of significant expenses. Between a mortgage, kids’ activities, and family vacations, it seemed like money was always going out as fast as it was coming in. He wanted to enjoy life but also understood the importance of saving for the future—without a clear plan, the uncertainty was exhausting.
How I Helped
After a deep dive into Eric’s situation to see how I could help, we decided on the following strategies:
- Cash flow planning: As Eric’s life evolved, I developed multiple versions of cash flow strategies to strike a balance between his current lifestyle needs and his long-term education and retirement goals.
- Improved communication: I helped Eric and his spouse align more closely on spending and saving priorities.
- Deerfield white-glove service: I provided consistent reminders and “gentle nudges” to confirm the execution of the plan amidst his chaotic schedule.
The Outcome
With a structured plan in place, Eric and his family found the balance they had been missing. They were able to enjoy their lifestyle without the nagging worry of whether they were saving enough. Conversations about money became less stressful, and he and his wife felt more aligned on their financial priorities.
By breaking things down into manageable steps—and providing regular check-ins along the way—we turned what once felt overwhelming into a plan that worked for their busy lives. The financial stress that had weighed on Eric for so long started to lift, giving him the clarity to focus on his career and family with more confidence.
Client #3: Jim3 (Solo Practitioner Attorney)
Background
Jim, a solo practitioner attorney, came to me looking for investment guidance, but it quickly became clear that his real challenge was deeper. His portfolio anxiety was fueled by outside factors—political shifts, economic uncertainty, and market fluctuations—all of which made him uneasy about his financial stability.
Despite running his own practice, Jim had a low tolerance for portfolio risk, which clashed with the unpredictability of his business. The stress of covering payroll and managing cash flow only added to his concerns, leaving him unsure about what to expect from his portfolio.
How I Helped
After examining Jim’s situation, I created the following strategies:
- Education and expectation management: I addressed Jim’s concerns around market volatility and recovery timelines by structuring his portfolio so it aligned with his portfolio volatility tolerance.
- Consistent coaching: I consistently reinforced disciplined investment strategies during emotionally charged periods like elections.
- Tailored strategies: I developed strategies to fit Jim’s situation as a solo practitioner, where business risk influenced his overall financial profile.
The Outcome
With a portfolio structured to match his comfort level, Jim felt less pressure to react to every market fluctuation. Instead of making emotional decisions, he had a clear strategy in place—one that accounted for both his business risks and personal financial goals. Through ongoing conversations, he became more confident in his approach, learning to focus on long-term planning rather than short-term noise.
Jim’s story is one I see often—clients feeling the weight of uncertainty, and unsure of how to navigate financial decisions when external events feel overwhelming. My role as a wealth manager goes beyond managing investments; it’s about helping people regain a sense of control over their financial future in a way that fits their personality, their risk tolerance, and their life.
Get in Touch
If you’re experiencing a situation similar to one of these case studies or maybe a different need, I encourage you to reach out to me. I’d be happy to evaluate your situation and share how I can help. To get in touch, call (317) 469-2455, email ssteel@deerfieldfa.com, or use my online calendar.
About Susie
Susie Steel is COO, Wealth Manager, and Senior Shareholder at Deerfield Financial Advisors, a fee-only financial advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Indianapolis and Chicago. With over three decades of experience in financial planning, Susie’s approach has always been rooted in a spirit of service, treating each client as an extension of her own family. She simplifies the complex for clients, with the goal of creating a calm, trusting, and nurturing environment. Her unwavering commitment to the principle of “To whom much is given, much will be required” serves as the driving force behind her dedication, diligence, and empathy.
Susie obtained a business management degree from Ball State University, holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and held the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) from 2013 to 2018. Susie is actively involved with an extensive list of professional organizations, including NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), a premier association of fee-only financial advisors, and has served on multiple boards, committees, and councils. Her consistent recognition as one of Indianapolis Monthly’s “Five Star Wealth Managers” for the past decade attests to her outstanding accomplishments (2009-2023).
Outside the professional realm, Susie has contributed to her community through numerous efforts including her involvement in the Financial Center First Credit Union (FCFCU), the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Planned Giving Council, the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, and Junior Achievement. She mentors women through the CFP® Board’s “WIN-to-WIN” program, embodies the spirit of Rotary Club of Carmel, advocates for Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), and actively serves on the board of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (MRNC).
Susie and her husband, Kevin, reside in Carmel, Indiana, where they raised their three children. Outside the office, her focus centers around family, spirituality, and fostering meaningful connections. Embracing the concept of the body as a temple, her personal growth is nurtured through practices like strength training, yoga, and meditation. In her leisure time, she enjoys strolls with her dog, Lulu, and indulges in movies, podcasts, books, and the theater. To learn more about Susie, connect with her on LinkedIn.
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1 Names changed for confidentiality purposes.
2 Names changed for confidentiality purposes.
3 Names changed for confidentiality purposes.
