In this episode, I sit down with Mohammed Kheir, founding principal of MK Allan Lawyers, to unpack his story of leaving the safety of employment and launching into self-employment in the high-risk world of personal injury law.
We cover:
Growing up in a family of lawyers and the expectations that shaped his path
Why personal injury law is a war of attrition — and how he built resilience early
The turning point that pushed him to leave comfort behind and take the leap
The challenge of starting a PI firm when you don’t get paid for 6–24 months
How “luck” is really goodwill compounding into referrals and opportunity
The importance of freedom — from spending mornings with his daughter to speaking out on causes he cares about
Why he chose the name MK Allan and the deeper story of breaking down barriers around identity and prejudice
His views as a founding member of the Self-Employed Lawyers League — and how community removes the loneliness of running your own practice
Whether you’re a lawyer dreaming of going out on your own or already self-employed and looking for encouragement, Mohammed’s story is proof that conviction, community, and client satisfaction can build a thriving practice — even in one of the toughest areas of law.
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – Growing up in a family of lawyers
3:30 – The unconventional pathway into law
6:00 – Early years and complacency at the family firm
8:00 – The leap into boutique and big firm life
10:20 – Disillusionment with personal injury practices
13:30 – Deciding to start MK Allan Lawyers
16:00 – The financial risk of starting a PI firm
18:00 – “Luck” vs goodwill compounding
22:30 – Freedom, family, and finding true self-employment
27:30 – Mohammed’s take on the Self-Employed Lawyers League
35:00 – The story behind the name “MK Allan”
42:00 – Building accessibility and satisfaction into his practice
47:00 – Closing thoughts
Show Notes & Links
Connect with Mohammed: https://www.mkallan.com.au/
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