Bio:
Marc Brown is the founder of his own personal injury law firm and a former corporate defense attorney who turned his back on big firms to fight for everyday people. A graduate with honors from Emory University School of Law, Marc began his legal career defending major corporations and insurance companies—but quickly realized that work conflicted with his desire to advocate for the individuals those same entities often harmed.
Today, he uses the strategies he learned on the defense side to build powerful cases for plaintiffs and pursue justice with grit and compassion. Under his leadership, The Marc Brown Law Firm has become one of the Top 10 fastest-growing law firms in the country, according to the Inc. 5000.
In addition to his legal work, Marc is also a franchise owner with his wife, Dr. Kiera Brown, of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, bringing the beloved brand to Columbia, South Carolina. The move reflects his broader passion for community-building, entrepreneurship, and creating spaces that uplift and serve others.
Q&A
1. Home Business: For those just getting to know you — how do you describe what you do today, and how does your work span both the legal and business worlds?
Well, right now, I’d say I wear two hats that, oddly enough, complement each other. On one side, I’m a personal injury attorney committed to helping people who’ve been hurt and need someone in their corner through my firm, Marc Brown Law Firm (one of the Top 10 fastest-growing law firms in the country, according to the Inc. 5000). On the other hand, I’ve stepped into the world of restaurant entrepreneurship through franchising with my wife, Dr. Kiera Brown, with a focus on bringing something meaningful and delicious to our community with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. I’d say the legal work keeps me grounded in advocacy, and the business side lets me build and create something tangible with long-term impact. Plus, I’m a big foodie and love real cheesesteaks!
2. Home Business: You worked previously in corporate defense law and described leaving as a moral turning point — what was the moment that finally pushed you to walk away?
I don’t think there was one one dramatic moment, it was more like a quiet build-up of discomfort that I couldn’t ignore anymore. I remember sitting in conference rooms, defending companies whose actions I didn’t agree with, and thinking “What am I doing here?” I was on the wrong side and knew that I should be representing in fighting for every day people. Moments like that stayed with me. I realized I couldn’t keep showing up for something that didn’t align with who I was. Now, I don’t have to wear a “mask” and can be my authentic self.
3. Home Business: You’ve been both a defender of corporations and now an advocate for individuals — how does that dual perspective affect how you handle cases today? Do you believe more lawyers should “switch sides” at some point in their careers?
Seeing and working both sides of the table is a huge advantage. I understand how defense lawyers think because I was one, and that insight helps me build stronger cases for my clients. I don’t think every lawyer needs to switch sides, but I do think every lawyer should challenge themselves to understand the full picture, and most importantly, follow their values. You get sharper, more strategic, and, if I’m being honest, more compassionate if you stay true to your values.
4. Home Business: Many attorneys never fully transition out of their specialty — what made you confident enough to go from law to launching a food franchise with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks?
I think it was more about conviction and not confidence. My wife and I are huge food lovers, and we’d always talked about doing something in that space. When I met Derrick Hayes and saw what he was building with Big Dave’s, I saw more than a restaurant… I saw culture, integrity, and a mission that matched my wife’s and my values. That made it an easy decision to join the Big Dave’s family.
5. Home Business: You’ve said your wife, Dr. Kiera Brown, has been your backbone through this journey. How do you navigate the emotional toll of entrepreneurship and legal advocacy while also staying grounded at home? How did you decide to open a franchise together?
Kiera is my partner in every sense, she’s the calm in the storm and the person who always reminds me why I do what I do. We’re both ambitious, but we’re also very intentional about carving out time for each other. The franchise idea came naturally because we both love food, culture, and building community, and we wanted to do something we could own together, not just financially but emotionally.
6. Home Business: There’s a strong theme of accessibility in how you describe your practice — what does being a “ground floor lawyer” mean to you, and why is that important?
I started my little practice and insurance defense lawyer on the 38th floor of a high-rise building. I was high up in the air and not actually with my people in the community. Being a ground floor lawyer means I’m easily accessible and with the people. People can walk right in, sit down, and know I’m here for them. No suits behind glass doors, no parking garage connected to a high-rise building, no intimidation… just real conversation and real advocacy. It’s important because the legal system already feels out of reach for a lot of people and my job is to meet them where they are and guide them through it with empathy and clarity.
7. Home Business: What does success look like to you five years from now — in both law and food? Are there plans to merge those two worlds even further?
I want chippy much better than I am right now. That means more community involvement, more amazing employees, more clients represented, more great results from my clients, and many more restaurants and various other businesses owned. I want to grow in a way that still allows me to know my clients, know my customers, and stay rooted in purpose — purposeful growth.
8. Home Business: What advice would you give to someone stuck in a career that no longer aligns with their values, but who’s scared to make a leap like you did?
Fear is always part of it, but staying somewhere that drains your spirit costs more than taking the leap, trust me. But I believe you should have your move fully figured out and well planned before making a leap. Having enough conviction is important, but you must also be dedicated, experience, and organized to be successful. Fine mentors that do what you are planning to do at a high level, and learn as much as you can before making the leap. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and remember: sometimes the risk isn’t jumping, it’s staying put.
9. Home Business: What was it about Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks — beyond the food — that made you confident this was the right brand to invest in and grow with?
The food is amazing, of course, but it was the story that sold my wife and me. Derrick built this brand from the ground up, in honor of his late father, with a mission that’s about more than profit. There’s a soul to Big Dave’s, a focus on community, hustle, and heart, and that’s the kind of energy we want to be aligned with.
10. Home Business: As one of the first franchisees, how hands-on are you planning to be in the day-to-day operations — and how do you balance that with running a law firm?
I’m definitely hands-on, not chopping cheesesteaks every day, but I make sure the culture, experience, and values are spot on. It’s about leadership, not micromanagement. I’ve built a strong legal team that gives me the flexibility to step into the business world, and I’m learning how to delegate and trust both sides to operate with excellence, plus having my wife on my team and co-leading Big Dave’s is also a big win.
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