In this issue, we’re excited to spotlight an innovative initiative designed to help lawyers build sustainable practices while expanding access to justice. I sat down with Mark Atkinson, founder and Executive Director of the Incubator for Legal Practice and Innovation (ILPI), to talk about his career, the mission of ILPI, and the new cohort launching this fall – September 18 – 19 is the two-day kickoff.

Q: Mark, tell us about your early legal career. What first sparked your interest in access to justice work?

I attended law school later in life and—like many lawyers— I went hoping to make a difference, but quickly realized how many barriers exist, not just for attorneys but for the public trying to access legal help. If you are wealthy or are a big business, you can afford whatever legal help you need. If you are low income, you get some help through legal aid (but rarely enough!). That leaves a big gap of unmet legal needs among those of low and middle income. Those unmet needs are especially acute in rural areas and underserved communities. Seeing this present reality, it instilled in me a strong drive to explore new models that make legal help more accessible and more affordable, while also allowing lawyers to make a living.

Q: And that led you to found ILPI. Can you tell us what it is and what inspired you to launch it?

ILPI is a legal incubator. Our mission is simple: help entrepreneurial attorneys start financially sustainable practices that improve access to justice. Too often, lawyers—especially new ones—aren’t equipped with the business skills needed to launch a solo practice. At the same time, so many communities are “legal deserts,” with few or no lawyers available. ILPI is designed to bridge that gap. We provide training, resources, and a supportive community to help attorneys serve those communities while also building a viable business.

For some additional history, the legal incubator movement was started by Fred Rooney over 20 years ago at City University of New York Law School. Fred is a saint-of-a-man and has helped launch incubators in the USA and overseas. From my perspective, I think every law school and major urban area should have a legal incubator!

Q: What kind of support can attorneys expect if they join ILPI?

Our programming is remote, accessible by Zoom, and starts with a two-day kickoff session. From there, participants can join regular “Lunch-n-Learns” with experts, vendors, and practitioners. We focus on the business side of launching and running a law firm—things law school often overlooks. We provide access to tools like Clio, Lexis+, and CLE providers such as PLI and NBI-SEMS.

But maybe most importantly, we offer community and encouragement. It can be lonely starting a firm. ILPI ensures you’re not doing it alone—you’re part of a cohort who shares your values and your mission.

Q: Who is the incubator designed for?

ILPI is for anyone who wants to serve their community, do good and do well, and build a practice that expands access to justice. Maybe you just passed the Bar—or maybe you’ve been practicing for 10 or 20 years and are finally ready to go out on your own. ILPI is for attorneys who want to return home to a legal desert, who want to serve the underserved, and who want to make a proper living doing it.

Q: What’s next for ILPI? How can interested attorneys get involved?

Our next cohort launches September 18–19, 2025, with a two-day kickoff. Joining ILPI is a simple three-step process:

1. Apply – Fill out the short online form.
2. Chat – Schedule a call with me to make sure it’s a good fit.
3. Agree – Participation requires commitment, but it’s worth it.

We keep the cost low—just $79 a month—because our goal is to help attorneys get started, not hold them back. If you’re interested, reach out to me directly at mark@innovationlegal.org or call 919.630.1143.

Final Thoughts

The Incubator for Legal Practice and Innovation is more than just a training program—it’s a movement to reimagine the delivery of legal services and empower the next generation of lawyers. ILPI has many alums who would love to tell you how the program helped them get their practice off the ground. If you’re looking to launch your practice with purpose, this could be your next step.