Why We Started A Law Firm: Melissa & Kaitlyn’s Story

By Melissa N. Paddy, Esq., Liberty Legacy Law Group

At Liberty Legacy Law Group, we often hear from clients that working with us feels like working with family. That’s no accident – our story starts long before law school, long before the firm, and even long before we knew what “estate planning” or “business formation” meant. It began with two little girls, growing up next door to each other in a tightknit Maryland neighborhood, chasing dreams they hadn’t yet imagined.

A Backyard Friendship Becomes a Lifelong Bond

Melissa and Kaitlyn – best friends since the age of three. It wasn’t a friendship that needed forging; it was simply always there. We lived next door to each other, spent our childhoods hopping fences between backyards, exploring the woods, riding bikes through town, and making our neighborhood our runway, stage, and battleground of imagination.

Our families, grounded in hard work and traditional values, shaped who we became. My parents worked tirelessly to provide a strong, steady foundation, while Kaitlyn grew up watching her father carry forward a legacy of generational business ownership. He was a pillar of the family business – something that deeply influenced Kaitlyn’s entrepreneurial drive later in life.

From preschool through eighth grade, we attended school together. Softball games, field trips, birthday parties, scraped knees, school projects – we shared it all. It was a time when the world felt endless and simple, and the seeds of trust and loyalty that would one day build a law firm were sown during those early years of childhood friendship.

Paths That Diverged – And Intertwined Again

We went to different high schools, and later, different colleges – but our friendship never wavered. Despite choosing separate schools, we decided to live together during our freshman year of college, renting our very first apartment away from home. It was exciting, liberating, and – if we’re being honest – a little chaotic.

That freshman year was a whirlwind of learning curves. We worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, struggled to figure out rent and bills, and leaned hard on each other to navigate college courses. There were late nights, long talks, laughter, tears, and more ramen noodles than we care to admit. But we made it through, and the experience only reinforced our belief in the power of our partnership.

Despite our different academic focuses, we somehow found ourselves applying to law school at the same time. For me, becoming an attorney had been a dream since childhood. I’d spent countless hours with my grandmother watching JAG and Law & Order, fascinated by the courtroom drama and the power of advocacy. It was never a question of “if” – just “when.”

For Kaitlyn, the journey into law came from a more entrepreneurial perspective. Watching her father run a family business made her eager to build something of her own. Law school was a way to sharpen her knowledge, protect investments, and eventually make a name in the real estate and business world. It was never just about becoming a lawyer – it was about being a savvy, legally equipped businesswoman.

Two Paths, One Purpose

After law school, we pursued separate paths. I found my calling in estate planning and later honed my strengths in managing a law firm. My detail-oriented, process-driven mind thrived in creating systems that worked for clients and teams alike.

Kaitlyn, always the visionary, embraced the world of real estate and business ownership. She saw potential where others saw risk and used her legal training to navigate complex deals and build businesses from the ground up.

But like all great partnerships, our story was destined to circle back to its roots.
Years later, we found ourselves sitting across the table, imagining a future where our skill sets didn’t just complement each other – they completed something bigger. That’s when Liberty Legacy Law Group was born.

The Middle Class Is Our People

We didn’t start this firm for prestige or status. We started it because we are the people we serve. We understand the pressure of stretching a paycheck. We know what it’s like to work multiple jobs and juggle responsibilities. Our clients are blue-collar families, small business owners, retirees, and everyday people trying to build something meaningful. They’re disciplined, devoted, and deserving of quality legal support that meets them where they are.

We built this firm to empower people like our parents, our neighbors, and the girl next door. It’s about legacy – but not just the kind you leave behind in a will. It’s the legacy you build every single day through hard work, family values, and dreams bigger than your backyard.

Built on Adventure and Trust

Our personal lives have never been short on adventure. We’ve gone skydiving to celebrate Kaitlyn’s college graduation. We hiked the Grand Canyon, rim to rim – over 24 grueling miles through extreme heat and terrain that tested every ounce of strength and grit we had. But we made it (barely, if you ask Kaitlyn), side by side.

Those kinds of experiences taught us something critical: if we can survive freshman year together and the Grand Canyon hike, we can survive – and thrive – in law firm ownership.

The Yin and Yang of Partnership

If you know us, you know we’re different – and that’s our superpower.
I am methodical, organized, and structured. Some might call me meticulous or a perfectionist, but I just call it my gift. I build the systems, follow the rules, and make sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed. My calm, steady presence is the backbone of our operations.

Kaitlyn is bold, creative, and full of ideas. She dreams big, challenges assumptions, and always finds a new angle to explore. She’s a strategist, an innovator, and a master of vision. When others see boundaries, she sees possibilities.

Together, we create a harmony that serves our clients in practical, powerful ways. We ensure precision and drive innovation. And both of us lead with empathy, compassion, and a deep belief in our clients’ potential.

Full Circle, Forward Together

Liberty Legacy Law Group is more than a business. It’s the culmination of years of friendship, growth, challenge, and purpose. We’ve walked life together – from backyard forts to law school, from microwaved hotdogs in a college apartment to high-stakes business meetings.

And now, we’re building a firm that reflects who we are: two women with grit, heart, and an unshakable bond, ready to serve the people who remind us of home.
Thank you for trusting us with your stories. Thank you for making our journey possible. And thank you for letting us show you that legacy isn’t just what you leave – it’s what you build, every day.