We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Ligon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I started my own law firm at the age of 25 during the 2008 recession. This October 2022, we celebrate 14 years of business. One of my mentors told me to be a successful attorney in my generation you would have to learn how to run a law firm out of a backpack…$500, a laptop & backpack, some hustle and grit & I am living the life people dream of. I’ve gone from a small solo boutique law firm to negotiating business, real estate, entertainment and sports deals with some of the biggest names, to creating advocacy and reform to help change laws in my state and across America. Not to mention representing children and families while also making an impact in their daily lives is most rewarding. Welcome to all things PrettySMART! I took a risk 14 years ago starting a couple businesses utilizing social media, technology and figured out how to run a law firm and be an entrepreneur, while understanding the importance of brand awareness & giving back.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I was born and raised in a small, rural beach community in St. Petersburg, FL and spent most of my life as a creative child and athlete interested in all things music and sports. I watched my parents build and run a successful dental office and grew up knowing nothing else than to have a hard work ethic for family, community and entrepreneurship. I attended Florida State University and Florida A&M College of Law and spent time abroad studying International Business in Valencia, Spain at the Universidad de Valencia.

Now as an entrepreneur and lawyer, I have created a following and influence over the past 14 years to not only inspire others; but mentor other law firms in businesses but to create brands and business synergy to create change in my community and nation. Advocating as a lawyer or creating additional revenue streams with e-commerce, merchandise and branding, I’ve created a conglomerate under PrettySMART providing legal services branding and marketing online for athletes entertainers and for social justice causes. My @ThatsMyLawyer brand has created unique synergies and opportunities to serve others and just this summer mentored 15 law students in Washington DC. I have appeared on Dr. Phil, CNN, ESPN, a recurring legal analyst for CourtTV, and I am founder of PrettySMART Studios which offers brand strategy and media services.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Whether starting a business in a recession thinking we would only do entertainment and sports law, to learning foreclosure, criminal defense, to now real estate, business and credit repair during the COVID-19 crisis; taking calculated risks have rewards. I was one of the first lawyers to have a virtual and digital law firm years before COVID necessitated it. I am often ahead of my time and a late bloomer….Knowing when and how to pivot in business and life is an artform. I have been blessed; our sales and business increased more than ever during these trying times. I have mastered the art of transition and pivoting your business. As a former athlete I understand the flexibility it takes to be successful in any climate and know my natural leadership capabilities have allowed my business to survive in a very competitive industry such as law.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In order to scale my business I have had to unlearn trying to perfect everything and delegate to others in efforts to get things done. I still stand by the mantra: ‘measure twice, cut once’, I truly embody one of my favorite quotes, “Teamwork makes the dream work” and could not be happier to offer opportunities to empower other females and minorities to not only be their own boss but to make a difference in our communities and through law!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.PrettySMARTLaw.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ThatsMyLawyer
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ShannonLigon.Esq
• Linkedin: www.Linkedin.com/ThatsMyLawyer
• Twitter: Www.Twiteer.com /ThatsMyLawyer
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/TeamPrettySMART

Image Credits
@ShotByChino @ThatsMyLawyer