Derrick Morgan Jr. transformed a pandemic-era side hustle into a thriving trademark law practice that now pays him over $350,000 annually while he operates remotely from Mexico City and travels the world, according to a CNBC Make It profile released today.
The 30-something attorney built his practice entirely through freelance platform Fiverr, serving more than 1,000 businesses across 50 countries without maintaining a traditional office. His journey illustrates how remote work has evolved from pandemic necessity into a permanent fixture for high-earning professionals, particularly in Mexico City, which has emerged as a premier destination for digital nomads.
Morgan's transformation began in 2020 when court closures during the pandemic slowed his workload at a Chicago law firm1. After helping his cousin file a trademark, he began offering trademark services on Fiverr as supplemental income2.
"I had always had the knowledge and the skillset, but I wasn't really putting it to use," Morgan told Business Insider in 20232.
Within months, his freelance work was outpacing his law firm salary. He made approximately $127,000 in Fiverr sales in his first full year, then over $140,000 the following year2. By 2025, he had reached nearly $330,000 in total earnings through the platform and now pays himself over $350,000 annually through his own practice, Morgan Business Solutions13.
Morgan splits his time between Mexico City and Chicago, capitalizing on Mexico City's growing appeal to remote workers12. The Mexican capital has invested heavily in digital infrastructure, rolling out a new 5G network and fostering the development of over 50 coworking spaces in the Roma Norte district alone34.
"I have the ability to have location independence, which is huge for me," Morgan said1. He typically stays at coworking communities like Selina, which provide reliable internet and networking opportunities with other digital nomads5.
The city offers remote workers big-city amenities at a fraction of U.S. costs, with living expenses ranging from $1,040-$1,560 monthly for a single adult6. Internet speeds average 67 MBPS download and 40 MBPS upload, suitable for demanding professional work6.
Morgan's success reflects wider changes in professional services. Remote work has evolved from temporary pandemic solution into a permanent workforce fixture, with hybrid models becoming the norm rather than exception in 202512.
His advice for aspiring freelancers mirrors his own cautious approach: "I think it's better to kind of start it while you have that full-time stability," he said3.
