MEET MORE OF OUR 2024 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
In her 14 years as a lawyer for several firms in estate planning, elder law and estate administration, Megann Hendrix has worked with clients during their most emotional and vulnerable moments, when they were often stricken with grief. And she has seen a crucial need to serve clients with more compassion and empathy.
In 2023, with that need in mind, she founded her own firm, Sage Legal Group. The firm works to ensure all clients are treated with kindness and warmth. Her motto is “legacy planning with heart.”
“Compassion seems lost in the practice of law,” says Hendrix. “It needs to be a part of legal work. It’s our role as lawyers to help our clients. How can you help your clients when you don’t have a compassionate understanding of what they’re going through?”
Hendrix’s empathetic approach has proven popular – about 90% of her clients have come via word-of-mouth referrals. For example, one of her clients needed help navigating family finances as his mother moved into a care facility. They worked together to ensure her assets were preserved and she could maintain a high standard of care. Later, that same client referred his father to Hendrix, and they navigated a new family crisis together.
“Both the father and son talked about how they were so thankful that our team had been there,” says Hendrix. “It was wonderful to help their family manage through major crises, when emotions are high and situations are tough.”
“I couldn’t have done this without my team, so their success is as important as the firm’s success.”
This month, Hendrix and her team are celebrating Sage Legal Group’s first anniversary. According to Hendrix, her team – who has been with her since her firm’s founding – has helped to create a vibrant and positive culture that drives their success.
“It all stems from our commitment to serving others first – and teamwork,” says Hendrix. “When everyone’s working towards that objective of serving others first and being a good teammate, we all thrive.”
Q&A
Can you tell me more about the types of estate planning cases you work on? What do your clients typically look for?
Our philosophy is that estate planning should make the administration process as simple and efficient as possible for the family. When a family is grieving, the last thing they need is a complicated legal process. I help clients set up a good plan so their families don’t have to deal with a mess during a difficult time.
What do you think your team would say are your biggest strengths as a leader?
I think they would appreciate that I’m not a micromanager. I delegate and trust them to handle their tasks, which allows them to show what they’re made of. They’d also likely mention my selflessness – I’m always there to help them out or recognize their hard work. My philosophy is that I couldn’t have done this without them, so their success is as important as the firm’s success.
