Nathan Sawaya is a world-renowned brick artist who left his career as a corporate lawyer to follow his childhood passion—creating art out of LEGO bricks. In this episode, Nathan shares how law school gave him the critical thinking and risk-assessment skills to launch a creative business, why he let his law license expire, and what it really takes to bet on yourself. His story is a powerful reminder that you can build your dream life, one brick—and one bold decision—at a time.
Lawyer Side Hustles
What started as a creative outlet—experimenting with LEGO bricks after long days at the office—eventually became Nathan’s full-time career and artistic identity. He didn't wait for permission or a perfect plan; he started small, shared his work online, and let passion guide the pivot. When his website crashed from too many visitors, he took it as a sign and made the leap.
“I didn’t want that safety net... I let my license expire and just went for it,” shares Nathan Sawaya in Episode 188 of You Are a Lawyer.Today, he’s not just a brick artist—he’s a bestselling author, international exhibitor, and producer on LEGO Masters. His exhibitions tour the world, and his book The Art of the Brick: A Life in LEGO reveals the thought and emotion behind his sculptures. His story is the ultimate side hustle success—proof that your 5–9 can become your life’s work when you dare to go all in.
LISTEN TO LEARN
- Why trusting your creative instincts can lead to unexpected success
- How law school prepares you for entrepreneurship—even in the arts
- What it really takes to walk away from a traditional career with no safety net
WE ALSO DISCUSS
- The importance of identifying which risks are worth taking
- What lawyers can learn from artists (and vice versa)
- Why letting go of “the backup plan” might be your best move yet
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