San Antonio lawyer R. Laurence "Larry" Macon, an avid marathoner and veteran trial lawyer, opened his own firm, the Macon Law Firm, on Jan. 1, after practicing at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld for 25 years.

"I've worked for other firms forever. I just wanted to be my own boss and try more lawsuits," Macon said. "It's just harder at big firms to try lawsuits because No. 1, they are very expensive, and No. 2, there's less emphasis on trying suits."

Macon said he tried three suits in 2016, which was far too few in his view.

He said he expects to add some lawyers to his new firm in short order on a full-time or project basis, and has also talked to a couple of firms about teaming up on certain matters.

On the day the Macon Law Firm launched, Macon ran the Texas Marathon in Kingwood. A Guinness world record holder for the most marathons run in a year, Macon said the New Year's Day marathon brought his lifetime total up to 1,838.

Macon, who was mediating a suit on Jan. 3 in New York City but expected to be at his new firm's office on Jan. 4, said his clients include Acelity and Food Lion, among others.

He has tried more than 150 suits to a jury, and he said he expects to have a lot of fun at his new firm. "I can choose what I can do. I have my own rules," he said. He also noted that he will have more flexibility in billing rates at his boutique.

Macon, who turned 72 on New Year's Eve, said he left Akin Gump by choice, even though he was four years past the firm's mandatory retirement age.

"Larry was a valued colleague for many years and we wish him all the best," a representative for Akin Gump said of Macon's departure.