How I Built Rossen Law Firm—From Prosecutor to Visionary CEO
The following is a guest post by Adam Rossen
Adam Rossen is the founder and CEO of Rossen Law Firm, one of the largest criminal defense firms in South Florida, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale. Focusing on protecting the rights of people facing charges ranging from DUIs to complex federal crimes, Adam has built a reputation for legal excellence and compassionate representation. His firm operates across nine locations in South Florida and handles state and federal cases nationwide. Learn more about Rossen Law Firm at rossenlawfirm.com.
Starting a career in law is no easy feat, especially when the goal is to transition from the prosecution side to defending people accused of crimes. For me, the journey began with a passion to make a bigger impact than I could as a prosecutor. I wanted to help people navigate the worst moments of their lives. Rossen Law Firm was born from that desire to stand up for people when they need it most—when the odds are stacked against them. But it didn’t start as a multi-location powerhouse. Like most great things, it started small, scrappy, and with much hustle.
The Early Struggles
When I first launched Rossen Law Firm, I was no stranger to the courtroom. Having served as a prosecutor in Broward County, I had the technical skills. However, I soon realized that running a business required entirely different skills. The law I could handle—the business side was where I had to learn on the fly. Early on, it was just me and my cell phone. I was on call 24/7, handling every aspect of the firm, from marketing to client intake. And let’s not forget the sleepless nights when the cases weren’t coming in as fast as the bills were.
But I was relentless. I marketed myself, hustled, and fought tooth and nail for every client. Slowly but surely, the firm began to grow, but not without its fair share of growing pains.
From Lawyer to CEO
In those early years, I was in the courtroom almost daily, handling cases and building a reputation as a fierce trial lawyer. However, as the firm grew, it became clear that my role needed to shift. It wasn’t just about being a great lawyer anymore but about being a great leader. The transition from trial lawyer to business owner wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for the firm’s growth.
The real turning point came after COVID-19. We had held steady at around six employees and $850,000 in revenue, but the pandemic catalyzed explosive growth. Within two years, we tripled everything—employees, revenue, and clients. By 2021, I had to step back from the courtroom and focus on leading the business. And let me tell you, that was a tough shift. I wandered around the office for months, wondering if I was still valuable. I wasn’t ready to give up my identity as a lawyer. I realized that my new job was to guide the firm, not just handle cases.
By 2024, we’ve grown to a team of over 20 employees and continue to set new revenue benchmarks. Leading the business now means driving the firm’s growth, building a strong team, and pushing us toward the next level. It’s been a transformative journey, and while stepping back from the courtroom was hard, it allowed me to focus on what Rossen Law Firm could become—not just where we were.
Building a Values-Driven Firm
At Rossen Law Firm, we’re not just about winning cases but about helping good people when bad things happen. We’ve built a firm culture around this mission, and our team truly believes in it. One of our core values is “playing all in.” We want people who are fully dedicated to helping others through criminal defense and care deeply about our impact on our clients’ lives.
That culture didn’t develop overnight. It took years to figure out who we are as a company and what we stand for. I’ve spent several years refining our core values and ensuring every new hire fits that vision. We don’t just hire for skill; we hire for culture. If you’re not playing all in, this isn’t the right place for you.
Learning to Let Go and Lead
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is that not everyone thinks like me. Early on, I expected my team to have the same drive, passion, and risk tolerance that I had. But over time, I realized that people have different motivations, and that’s okay. My job is to set the vision, build the team, and deliver results—not micromanage every detail.
That shift in mindset allowed me to scale the firm. I’ve built a leadership team that handles the day-to-day operations while I focus on growth, culture, and strategy. We’ve also implemented EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), which has been a game-changer for us. It’s given us a framework for making consistent, high-quality decisions and has helped us define our company culture more clearly.
What I’ve Learned
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you can’t do it alone. Whether it’s hiring the right team, finding mentors, or investing in professional development, building a business takes a village. And for me, it’s been worth every sleepless night, every challenge, and every tough decision. I often tell people, “You don’t need me until shit hits the fan.” And that’s true whether we’re talking about a legal crisis or the challenges of leading a business. As a leader, I step in when things get tough, whether it’s a complex DUI case, a white-collar crime, or navigating the next phase of growth for the firm.
I’m proud of what we’ve built at Rossen Law Firm, but what excites me most is where we’re heading. My vision is clear: I want Rossen Law Firm to have a presence across all of South Florida, build a national federal brand, and create a strong foothold in Miami, particularly within the Hispanic market. We aim to become the number one trusted criminal defense practice, all while continuing to serve our mission of helping good people when bad things happen.
As we grow, our commitment remains the same—we help good people when bad things happen by giving our clients the legal support they need when their futures are on the line. The future of Rossen Law Firm is bright, and I’m energized by the leaders we’re developing to help us achieve this vision and keep pushing our mission forward.