Springs Law Group joins independence pledge against private equity

Springs Law Group signed The Independence Pledge on Nov. 9, 2026, publicly committing to remain lawyer-owned and free of private equity influence. The move is meant to keep client interests and case decisions under attorney control, not investor pressure.

Why it matters: - Springs Law Group is signaling that client strategy and settlement decisions will stay with lawyers, not outside investors. - The pledge is aimed at preserving firm independence in a legal market where private equity-backed ownership structures are drawing scrutiny. - The commitment also matters to clients who want their case files, case data and outcomes kept outside investor-driven deals.

What happened: - Springs Law Group signed The Independence Pledge on Nov. 9, 2026. - The Colorado Springs personal injury firm said the pledge commits it to remain lawyer-owned and free of private equity money. - Best Era, a law firm consulting company based in West Hartford, Connecticut, convened the pledge.

The details: - The pledge lays out 10 principles for participating firms. - Springs Law Group committed to working for clients only, without investor return targets or timelines shaping cases. - The firm agreed not to accept private equity money directly or through a management services company or similar structure. - Springs Law Group committed to keeping case decisions with a lawyer who answers to the client. - The pledge says the firm will not push clients to settle to meet a number, quarter or exit. - Springs Law Group committed to being ready to try a case when the offer is wrong. - The firm also committed to keeping client files and case data out of any deal. - The pledge requires firms to stay lawyer-owned and pass the firm to lawyers who will keep the same commitments. - Christopher Nicolaysen, founder and CEO of Springs Law Group, said he signed because client service and a human connection matter more than what private equity can provide. - Nicolaysen also said he does not want Springs Law Group to lose what makes the firm human. - The Independence Pledge is voluntary and creates no legal obligation. - The pledge does not change any rule of professional conduct. - The full pledge and list of signers are available at More information. - Springs Law Group was founded in 2017 and represents people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, along with other personal injury matters. - The firm says it combines legal advocacy with compassionate, personalized service, clear communication and strategies tailored to each client’s circumstances. - More information about the firm is available at the firm's website.

Between the lines: - The pledge is also a branding statement, positioning Springs Law Group as an alternative to investor-backed law firm models. - The language around human connection and client-first decision-making suggests the firm wants to distinguish itself on culture as well as ownership structure. - Because the pledge is voluntary, its impact depends on how many firms sign and how consistently they follow the principles.

What's next: - Springs Law Group will continue operating under the pledge’s principles as it handles future personal injury cases. - Best Era will likely use the public signer list to track support for the independence campaign. - The firm’s clients and peers can review the pledge and signer list on the initiative’s website.