We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Bercuson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

When I began the firm, I had no idea how to market myself. What would make me different from any other intellectual property and trademark lawyer? How would I stand out? I decided that investing in branding and brand messaging was critically important for me because I needed to tell a cohesive story, and I needed messaging that would help distinguish me from other solo trademark attorneys. I worked with Emily Paulsen at Electric Collab, and thanks to her incredible work on my branding, I finally feel proud and confident when talking to my clients. I no longer stumble over my words or freeze as I try to think of what to say. Emily helped me pull my story together and show potential clients exactly how I would add value to their team and be a trusted legal partner. I never thought branding would be so important to my business, but once I had Emily apply her magic to mine, I saw firsthand what a difference it can make to a new small business!

Lauren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My career began with a business degree from Tulane University followed by law school at the University of Miami School of Law (go Canes!) I graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor in 2005.

I am a third-generation attorney – my grandfather was an esteemed litigator and my father is a distinguished entertainment attorney – but I decided to carve my own path within the law. Because I have always been creative by nature, I fell in love with intellectual property law and thus began my practice at a boutique IP firm with an emphasis on trademark investigation, acquisition, enforcement, prosecution, and litigation. I also clerked at the Third District Court of Appeals in Florida where I focused on conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, and crafting court opinions.

After adding ‘mom’ to my resume, I decided to nurture my life-long love for writing, reading, and children’s literature. Enter Happily Ever Elephants, my award-winning resource for insightful children’s book reviews. Soon after, I began a virtual book club for tweens, uniting young minds around the world through a shared love of captivating novels.

My expertise in children’s literature has led to gracious features in Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Publisher’s Weekly and others, but it was never about the accolades. Instead, it’s a testament to my passion for storytelling in all its forms. This testament continues at Storylock Legal, where I aim to champion my clients’ brand stories with sincerity, warmth, and joy, turning their business dreams into lasting legacies.

Because of my love for reading, I have always been intrigued by the way every trademark tells a story in and of itself. Trademarks convey everything from the types of goods and services a business offers to how that business is doing its part to change the world. Yet when founders and business owners don’t properly protect their trademarks, their brands and the stories they represent are vulnerable. I love helping businesses turn their brands into treasured assets they will own forever, ensuring their stories continue to inspire, captivate, and contribute to the world long into the future. To me, there is nothing more meaningful or fulfilling than that.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have the proud mom of two amazing boys, 11 and 9 years old. They are everything to me, and both are incredible kids. When my youngest was born, however, we went through a traumatic period as he had significant health challenges. Having a child in intensive rehabilitation was both mentally and physically exhausting, and I quickly realized I had to take a step back from my career. I left the practice of law for several years to focus on my son and his needs, ensuring that he had every opportunity to be his very best self. I am so happy to say he is thriving, and I never let this pivot derail me from my goals. Once I felt confident that he was in a good place and my oversight wasn’t as impactful in his day to day at school, I decided that it was time to get back to the law – but in a way that felt authentic and perfect for me. I began Storylock Legal to help founders protect their brand stories and intellectual property, and I have loved every single day since opening the firm.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The Entreprenista League has been incredible! I am so proud to be a part of this dynamic group of female founders. Since the day I joined, I have met brilliant women in all different fields, and I have made some great friends, too. Everyone is so generous of their time and wisdom, and knowing I have this community behind me – cheering me on and helping me when I stumble – means more to me than I can express. While many of these new relationships have been great referral sources, I’m also thrilled to be among a group of fellow entrepreneurs to share with, learn from, and celebrate our businesses together.

Contact Info:

• Website: storylocklegal.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/storylocklegal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-bercuson-5633436/

Image Credits
Courtney Ortiz