Influencer who parodies private equity guys riffs on nonlawyer ownership of firms
Johnn Hilbrant Instagram account
Johnny Hilbrant, a fitness instructor who was raised in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Winnetka, also has an Instagram account where he satirizes some of the people he knew growing up.
His character “PE Guy,” who has a MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, works in private equity, is married with three kids and likes to name-drop.
And talk about deals.
On Monday he posted a reel that starts with “Did I tell you we’re buying up law practices?”
“Historically nonlawyers have not been able to own law firms. Some like Rule 5.4 drama or something,” he says.
Not surprisingly, the plan includes an AI piece. The account, johnnyhilbrant, has approximately 499,000 followers. As of Friday, the post had 18.7K likes.
And, “Rule 5.4 drama” is actually a thing, says Above the Law. A recent post explains ABA Model Rule 5.4, which prevents law firm ownership for nonlawyers, and summarizes some lawyers’ opinions on private equity buying firms.
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