Law in Pop Culture

By Stephanie Francis Ward

October 23, 2026, 1:30 pm CDT

Johnny Hilbrant, a fitness instructor who was raised in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Winnetka, has cultivated a significant following on social media by using his platform to satirize some of the specific cultural archetypes, personalities, and corporate behaviors of the people he knew growing up.

Through his popular Instagram account, which has grown to approximately 499,000 followers, Hilbrant brings to life various satirical characters that resonate with viewers for their sharp observations of corporate and upper-class life. Among his most recognizable creations is a character known simply as "PE Guy." According to Hilbrant’s satirical sketches, this character boasts an MBA from Northwestern University’s prestigious Kellogg School of Business, works in the high-stakes world of private equity, is married with three children, and possesses an irrepressible penchant for relentless name-dropping.

Above all else, the PE Guy character loves to talk about deals. Whether he is discussing leveraged buyouts, market consolidation, or synergistic growth strategies, the character embodies a very specific brand of corporate earnestness that Hilbrant targets for comedic effect.

That satirical focus shifted recently toward the legal profession. On Monday, Hilbrant posted a new video reel to his Instagram account that quickly drew attention from legal industry observers and commentators alike. The sketch begins with a familiar, high-energy pitch from the character that immediately establishes the premise of the joke.

"Did I tell you we’re buying up law practices?" the character asks in the opening moments of the post.

As the sketch continues, the character touches upon the complex regulatory landscape that has historically governed the legal industry, while simultaneously leaning into the fast-paced, disruptive jargon typical of private equity discussions.

"Historically nonlawyers have not been able to own law firms," the character says in the video. "Some like Rule 5.4 drama or something."

True to the character’s private equity background, the fictional acquisition strategy described in the reel naturally includes a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence. The satirical plan humorously suggests deploying advanced technology to streamline legal operations, marrying the traditional, billable-hour-driven world of law practices with the aggressive efficiency models often favored by modern corporate investors.

By Friday, the post had already accumulated approximately 18,700 likes, reflecting the broad appeal of the joke across both general audiences and professionals within the business and legal communities.

While the sketch is intended purely as satire, the underlying regulatory concepts it references are entirely grounded in real-world legal debates. The mention of "Rule 5.4 drama" points directly to American Bar Association Model Rule 5.4, a professional conduct standard that generally prevents nonlawyers from holding an ownership interest in law firms or sharing legal fees with nonlawyers.

The intersection of private equity and legal practice ownership has been a subject of ongoing discussion and debate within the legal industry, as various stakeholders weigh the potential benefits of outside capital investment against traditional ethical rules designed to protect professional independence and client confidentiality. Legal industry publications have taken note of how mainstream cultural commentary and internet satire have begun engaging with these nuanced regulatory debates. Coverage from outlets such as Above the Law has highlighted the post, noting how Hilbrant’s parody effectively captures both the substance of ABA Model Rule 5.4 and the broader, sometimes contentious discussions surrounding the prospect of private equity firms seeking to roll up traditional law practices.