Snehal Massey is the founder and managing principal attorney of SPM Law, LLC, a boutique family law firm based in Columbia, Maryland, serving clients across the state in divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements, and consent adoptions. She has been recognized in Super Lawyers Rising Stars consecutively since 2020.
I asked Snehal what led her to start her own firm.
"I went out on my own unexpectedly," she told me. "It wasn't something I really intended to do. There were some circumstances that kind of led there, but it turned out to be the best decision so far. I don't regret it. I don't think I would go backwards at all."
Law is her second career. She spent six years in marketing and business before going back to school specifically to practice family law — a decision she made with intention.
"I really wanted to help families and children," she said. "My entire law school career kind of targeted it to start and do family law. So I did a lot of internships and clerkships during that."
She founded SPM Law in 2021 as a solo practice and spent nearly three years building it with support staff before making her first attorney hires. The decision to bring on associates came when she recognized she couldn't do both jobs well at once.
"I found that I wasn't able to provide the level of service for the clientele I was getting by it being just me," she said. "I couldn't be a practicing attorney and keep the firm together. They're just two different hats, and it's hard to do them both well."
She didn't plan to hire two attorneys at once — but when she found two people who were the right fit, she didn't let them go. The transition from solo practitioner to team leader has been its own education.
"Having two attorneys is very different than having support staff," she said. "The level of mentorship I have to provide them is different. I'm learning alongside them how systems have to be in place, how I need to put down what's in my head. Delegating is one thing, but this is more than delegating."
Building the team has been one of the most intentional parts of the work. Snehal involves her existing team in the hiring process, and the last hire was unanimous.
"I'm not always looking for skills. Education and skills, you can teach. But the intangibles — someone who is compassionate, empathetic, willing to go the extra mile — those are things you can't teach."
That standard comes from experience.
"I found that my family wasn't getting prioritized when I was at another firm. And I don't think that was fair because it didn't make me want to do this work with passion. I really tried to carve out that space where we have that autonomy and flexibility — where my team can spend time with their family, take them to doctor's appointments, without feeling like they have to make up the time. I trust them. I want them to enjoy what they do. And I think it translates to them helping our clients the same way."
SPM Law is now in its fourth year, with a growing team and a caseload that spans seven Maryland counties.
Are you dealing with a family law matter in Maryland? Connect with Snehal Massey and check out SPM Law, LLC.