In this blog, we feature the journey of The Stuckey Firm and how the firm’s partners leveraged capital strategies to elevate the law firm from the limitations of being self-financed to scalable, sustained law firm growth.

The Growth Challenge for Plaintiffs Law Firms: How The Stuckey Firm Solved It

For many contingency fee law firms, growth isn’t only a matter of will — it’s a matter of access to capital. Building a thriving trial practice means investing heavily in case development, talent, and infrastructure — all before a single dollar is recovered.

The Stuckey Firm, an Ohio-based plaintiffs law firm with offices in Springfield, Columbus, and Wheeling, knows this challenge well. For founding partner Nathan Stuckey and partner Sydney McLafferty, the key to expansion has been rethinking how to manage capital without compromising the firm’s mission.

The Strain of Self-Financing and Frustrations of Traditional Banking

Like many law firms working on contingency, The Stuckey Firm originally relied on self-financing and then local commercial lenders. These approaches brought limitations, frustrations, and stress. “We were either self-funded, self-financed, or we dealt with a lot of the red tape that comes with many of the commercial banking institutions,” says Nate.

That red tape wasn’t just inconvenient — it was an obstacle to growth. The nature of contingency work meant advancing substantial capital into cases that could take years to resolve. “That can be a very big strain,” Nate explains. “You’re spending your own dollars working up those cases… and you don’t see a return until the case resolves.”

Making Bold Moves Without Financial Hesitation

As the firm’s caseload expanded, so did its vision. But growth required more than just winning cases — it required capital strategies that were built upon the value of the firm’s future case value. When the opportunity arose to open a new office in Columbus, Ohio, the firm needed to act quickly and decisively.

“We had immediate working capital. We had the support for our case expenses,” says Sydney. “Having that backstop… gave us a lot of confidence to make bold decisions, which have turned out to be amazing for our company.” With the right financial structure in place, The Stuckey Firm was able to scale up its marketing, staffing, and operations—all while staying focused on client outcomes.

A Strategic Shift with a Partner Who Understands the Model

What changed? The law firm aligned with a strategic banking partner that understood the unique cadence of contingency work. “[Esquire Bank] understood what I go through every day,” says Nate. “It’s run by trial lawyers. They know what it’s like.”

Rather than forcing the firm into a traditional lending framework, typically focused on past results, the lending relationship with Esquire Bank was built around future value: case timelines, case inventory value, and growth goals. “Having the ability to access lines of credit… has been a game changer for us,” Nate reflects. “We’re able to use that money for marketing, to open a new office, rather than having our money wrapped up in case expenses.”

Key Takeaways from The Stuckey Firm’s Growth Journey

• Self-financing creates growth bottlenecks: Advancing capital into long-term cases without support strains operations and limits scale.
• Traditional banking often lacks fit: Commercial lenders struggle to accommodate contingency fee timelines and case inventory.
• Bold moves require capital strategies with financing flexibility: Opening new offices, investing in marketing, and expanding staff became possible through strategic capital.
• Find partners who know your business: Working with a bank that understands trial law accelerates decision-making and reduces friction.

Reclaiming Time, Focus, and Momentum

Beyond capital access, The Stuckey Firm also found something else: responsiveness. “Everyone that I’ve worked with… has been accessible, immediately responsive, and I have immediate solutions to any banking needs within minutes,” Sydney notes.

For leadership, that kind of alignment translates into something even more valuable: time and clarity. “With Esquire Bank, you’re going to deal with professionals who know your business,” says Nate. “And they’re there to help you serve your client and promote our mission as trial lawyers.”

Meet with Esquire Bank

Discover how to grow your law firm by choosing the right bank for your contingency fee law firm. Partner with a strategic banking partner that’s purpose-built for law firms. Learn how your law firm can finance its case costs and free up capital to invest in talent, marketing, technology, operations, case acquisition, and growth.

Schedule a consultation with an Esquire Bank law firm banking expert at a time convenient to your schedule.

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* The information provided on (or accessed through) this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, and should not be relied on for, law firm operations, tax, legal or accounting advice. Some of the information may not be applicable or appropriate for all law firms. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors as appropriate. Results may vary by law firm.