"I knew I was arguing against the law—and I was being forced to do it anyway… Thats when I had to walk away." — Whitney Betts
For Whitney Betts, power didn’t come from title or tenure. It came from walking away from the prestige of a national defense firm—and toward work that actually aligned with her values.
In this courageous episode of LawHer, Whitney shares how she left behind the safety of the traditional path to co-found Betts Law Group with her husband. Together, they’ve achieved over 300% year-over-year growth—by centering survivors, creating a trauma-informed practice, and mentoring the next generation of advocates.
From recognizing the disconnect in her defense work to reclaiming her power as a plaintiff’s attorney, Whitney’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to wait for the system to change. You can build something better.
About Whitney Betts
Whitney Betts is a Certified Rape Crisis Counselor and the Co-Founder of Betts Law Group, a rapidly growing civil litigation firm based in San Diego. Specializing in advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination, Whitney has helped shape a trauma-informed practice that centers both justice and healing. After years as a partner in a national defense firm, she now leads alongside her husband Tom Betts—forming a legal powerhouse known as much for their results as their values. In addition to her trial work, Whitney presents nationally on mental health and vicarious trauma and actively mentors junior attorneys.
Whitney Betts: LinkedIn
Betts Law Group Website | Instagram
What’s in This Episode:
Leaving What Doesn’t Fit: Why Whitney walked away from defense work—even when it meant sacrificing prestige, and how that decision set her up to build something radically different.
Building a Firm That Heals: How trauma-informed practices, safe spaces, and deep intention transformed Betts Law Group into one of the fastest-growing boutique firms in San Diego.
Strategic Risk, Personal Power: From carefully choreographing her and her husband’s exit to launching two separate companies and ultimately merging under one roof, Whitney shares how they built their business without sacrificing financial security or personal values.
Self-Care as a Power Move: Why stepping away—literally and figuratively—can be the first step toward clarity and realignment, and how Whitney’s approach to conscious parenting and monthly mental health days helped her survive high-stakes litigation.