Hi and thanks for reading more about me!
I'm Khurram Naik, founder and partner at Freshwater Counsel.
Early Influences
I grew up visiting law offices. My dad developed and sold software through his own business to lawyers. I never expected to practice law myself, but I couldn't escape its orbit.
When I was young, the company my dad worked for filed bankruptcy. That's when he pivoted to entrepreneurship. I saw him learn to code all by himself and develop software for lawyers from scratch to provide for his family. Watching him pivot taught me you can always start again. That lesson stuck with me.
From Psychology to Law
I graduated college in 3 years to save money and get out in the real world. At 21, I was at Harvard doing psychology research. Harvard showed me there are incredible opportunities for entrepreneurship in this country. You can build them by solving problems everyone sees.
In law school, I met with 200 lawyers for coffee, lunch, or drinks before landing my first law firm job. Lawyer 197 finally gave me a shot. The rejections taught me more than the yes. They showed me patterns in what firms actually valued.
I began my legal career practicing at a large law firm, an experience that continues to shape how I work with lawyers today. Having been on the inside, I understand the professional dynamics, unspoken considerations, and long-term tradeoffs involved in making a lateral move.
Freshwater Counsel
In 2023, I launched the recruiting agency and took every client call from my bathroom. We lived in a 600 square foot apartment with our newborn son while renting out our duplex and building the agency. It was a nice and affordable apartment for us, 1 bedroom, open concept living room and kitchen. I called our bathroom "the auxiliary office."
Today, I'm a partner at Freshwater Counsel, a legal recruiting agency I run with my wife and business partner, Emma Larson. What started with client calls from a bathroom is now a business helping lawyers find roles where they can actually thrive.
We focus on elite legal talent, with particular depth in patent litigation and complex commercial litigation. Our work is centered on creating genuine options for lawyers and helping firms move decisively when the fit is right.
Our approach emphasizes discretion, rigor, and long-term alignment. Many of the lawyers we work with were not actively looking and had spent most or all of their careers at a single firm. We create space to explore opportunities thoughtfully, without pressure, and guide the process toward outcomes that hold up over time.
Khurram's Quorum
In addition to my recruiting work, I host Khurram's Quorum, a legal podcast featuring in-depth conversations with managing partners, judges, and high-performing lawyers. The podcast explores career decision-making, leadership, and what it takes to build a durable legal career.
Social Life
I'm active on LinkedIn and regularly engage with lawyers across the profession.
Outside of work, Emma and I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where we're raising two young children.
My Philosophy
I believe in agency and strategy. You have more control over your path than you think. And when you combine that agency with thoughtful strategy, you can build something meaningful.
The End
If you're an elite litigator considering your options, or simply want a candid, confidential conversation, you can reach me at khurram@freshwatercounsel.com.
For my latest updates, check out the Articles page.