At Nichols Kaster, a culture of risk-taking is the norm. It’s what motivated the firm to go up against Citibank N.A. in the consumer class action over flood and hazard insurance, which led to reforms in the industry.

“We’ve always been willing to take risks,” said partner Steven Andrew Smith. “It doesn’t mean trying a case just for sport, but you can’t be afraid to try a case. Sometimes you win, sometimes you’re going to lose.”