What inspired you to start your own practice and what challenges have you faced along the way?

Well, I always wanted to be the captain of my own ship. When I am passionate about something, I will work, day and night, and go the extra mile to succeed. There are always challenges when you build something from the ground up, the trick is to never let them derail your journey.

I was born in England and grew up Jamaica. Before he passed away, my father was a Judge on the Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in Jamaica. My mother, also an attorney, continues to practice law as a solo practitioner in Jamaica to this day. Growing up, my parents would frequently discuss their careers and the politics that accompanied them. This was likely why I never wanted to pursue law as a career. I aspired to become a physician. I thought it would be more of a fulfilling career choice until I couldn’t pass chemistry. To law school, I went. I went on to study law in England before returning to Jamaica to practice.

While practicing in Jamaica, I met my husband, who lived in Atlanta. After a long romance, I decided to take a risk and relocate to Atlanta while maintaining my practice in Jamaica. I dabbled in real estate for a while and made an unsuccessful attempt at the New York Bar Exam as Georgia, at that time, did not allow foreign-trained attorneys to sit for the Bar.

Eventually, the rules changed, and foreign-trained attorneys were made eligible to sit for the Georgia Bar after attaining an LL.M. Since I had already attained my LL.M at Georgia State University’s College of Law, I took the Georgia Bar exam and passed on my first try. After being successfully admitted, I then had to confront a huge question—what next?

I explored a few different areas of the law including a stint with the Juvenile Court. It seemed that every law firm only wanted graduates who worked with them during law school as Summer Associates. Foreign-trained attorneys were effectively excluded from consideration. 

While working with the Juvenile Court, my friends and colleagues encouraged me to pursue a career in personal injury litigation. Up until that point, I had never even considered personal injury but felt it was worth a shot. Just three weeks into my new PI practice, three different people reached out to me for help after experiencing a wreck. I dove in headfirst. I immediately felt that this was the path for me. I enjoyed my client interactions and learned everything I could about personal injury law.

While fulfilling, starting my own practice was quite the challenge. Studying law is one thing but practicing it was a completely different ball game. The State Bar of Georgia was a tremendous help, however. I was able to lean on, collaborate, and learn from colleagues. I joined online lawyer groups that allowed to ask questions and leveraged the local bar associations to network. All of which was tremendously beneficial in helping me to get situated in my new practice. While there were plenty of other attorneys who never shied to lend me a helping hand, there were also others who were not so helpful. I learned not to take it personally.

Finally, the other challenge that we as personal injury attorneys face is steep competition for work. We are competing against larger firms with seemingly unlimited marketing budgets and hundreds of attorneys. Larger isn’t always better, especially when working with clients who have experienced traumatic incidents. Smaller firms are better equipped to provide a personal touch to every case and every client and that attention can make all the difference.

As a solo practitioner, how do you balance the demands of running a business with practicing law effectively?

This is a daily challenge because I want to do both, and I am still learning. I hired support staff who know how to think out of the box and can really lean in when needed. Hiring the right people, however, can be quite challenging and time consuming. Virtual staff can also be cost-effective way to address this issue.  

Personally, I enjoy speaking with clients directly. I have always felt that I can get to know them in these moments. These interactions provide me with a clearer understanding of their needs and allow me to more effectively advocate on their behalf, resulting in higher settlements and happier clients—increasing the potential for referrals.

Can you share a particularly challenging case you've handled as a sole practitioner, and how did you navigate it?

I have had quite a few.  One involved a driver who hit my client as he exited his Uber due to his reckless driving.  More complex cases require an elevated level of attention, strategy, diligence, and, at times, the help of outside counsel.

 What unique advantages do you believe solo practitioners bring to their clients compared to larger law firms?

 A clear strength for solo practitioners is that we offer more direct communication with our clients. The client is more involved in the process, and they appreciate the attorney being more accessible to answer any questions or address any issues they may have.

What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers considering starting their own practice?

I would gain some experience at a law firm first. Pay attention to how the office is run, ask questions, and take note of the internal systems they employ to keep things flowing. When you’re ready, go after it with faith and a determination to make a difference. You will reap the benefits through hard work.  

Finally, understand that there will always be challenges but with perseverance, you will find that the benefit and fulfillment of your practice far outweighs any challenges you face along the way.