With a vision to make law better for both clients and attorneys, Courtney Ernston spearheaded a new firm, North Star Law Group in St. Paul. In the last nine months, Ernston has incorporated work-life balance for the attorneys and transparent fees for clients. The firm’s efficiency is boosted using systems thinking, AI, and tech solutions, such as detailed bids, which allow clients to better understand upfront costs and included fees. Ernston also pioneered subscription models that encourage clients to view legal counsel as their partner and ask for advice when needed. In its first four months, the firm doubled its personnel, adding a cannabis practice area as soon as Minnesota legalized it. Ernston’s keen understanding of small business, rooted in her family’s construction business, has set a precedent at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, where she’s won substantial sums for her clients.