We recently connected with Calyssa Zellars & Kya Henley and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Calyssa Zellars & Kya Henley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

When we first embarked on our careers, we gained invaluable experience in government and private practice.

Calyssa: Before law school, I began my career in public relations with the Detroit Lions, leading media outreach for internal business units, corporate sponsors, and the inaugural Quick Lane College Bowl game. Before co-founding Saint Park, I developed expertise in crafting strategies and managing crisis communications for municipalities, businesses, law firms, and non-profit organizations facing high-stakes publicity and reputational challenges at a prominent New York-based public relations firm.

Kya: My legal journey started as a public defender in the metropolitan Baltimore area, fueled by a passion for bipartisan criminal justice reform which was gaining momentum at the time. After a few years as a successful trial attorney, I transitioned to big law, specializing in Litigation, Government Enforcement, and Investigations across several prestigious firms.

Our experiences at these firms were crucial. We had the opportunity to learn from top professionals, collaborate with leading law and crisis management firms, and gain deep insights into the business of law. These experiences laid the foundation for us to eventually establish our own firm, Saint Park.
Looking back, starting our careers at established firms provided us with essential knowledge and skills. It allowed us to understand the intricacies of legal practice and crisis management, which proved invaluable when founding Saint Park. The lessons learned and networks built during those early years continue to shape our approach and success at Saint Park today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Founded in 2023, Saint Park LLP is a crisis management, investigations, and strategic counsel firm dedicated to assisting businesses of all sizes. With over 20 years of combined experience in law and crisis management, we bring extensive insights and expertise to the legal industry.

Our decision to co-found Saint Park stemmed from a need that we saw in business—when companies face internal and external business disruptions they often do not know who to call or rely on the wrong people. In-house counsel often need outside support for independent investigations and marketing personnel are not always equipped to handle crises.

Today, Saint Park Law stands as a trusted partner for businesses, from large corporations to small enterprises, navigating complex legal challenges with confidence. We specialize in three core areas:

Investigations: Conducting thorough internal investigations and compliance reviews covering fraud, labor disputes, employment issues, cybersecurity breaches, discrimination, and more.

Crisis Management: Providing assessments to evaluate risks, proactive crisis planning, reactive crisis response, and strategic communications to manage and mitigate business disruptions effectively.

Strategic Counsel: Offering comprehensive legal counsel, contract drafting and review, advising on high-stakes business decisions, and developing tailored solutions to organizational challenges.

We’re proud of our work in significant investigatory and strategic counsel matters across business sectors. We have rehabilitated the reputations of public officials, crafted coordinating litigation and public relations strategies for individuals facing high-profile lawsuits, developed strategic crisis plans for organizations across business sectors, and investigated internal misconduct for high-profile businesses and individuals.

Our 21 years of combined experience is our competitive advantage as well as our commitment to excellence in investigating misconduct, ensuring compliance, and navigating business crises on behalf of our clients.

Saint Park LLP is dedicated to redefining legal representation and handling business disruptions so that clients can focus on their goals.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The legal profession demands a dual focus—mastering the practice itself while strategically growing the business.
Here are some effective strategies we have found for expanding our clientele:

Networking: Leveraging our network has proven invaluable for generating leads. Building personal connections and nurturing relationships brings us new clients through referrals and word-of-mouth.

Strategic Advertising: Tailoring our advertising efforts to suit our practice area and geographic location has been crucial. There’s no universal approach to legal advertising, so we’ve experimented with different methods to find what resonates best with our audience.

Adaptability: Flexibility is key in the business of law. What works today may not work tomorrow, so we remain open to change. Being willing to adjust our strategies based on feedback and market dynamics ensures we continue to progress toward our business goals effectively.

By combining these strategies, we’ve been able to grow our clientele while maintaining the integrity and quality of our legal practice.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team effectively and maintaining high morale in a law firm requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the multifaceted responsibilities of leadership. As the head of a firm, you oversee every aspect—from marketing and accounting to human resources and more. Setting the tone for the organization can be both invigorating and challenging.

Being self-motivated and rational in your management approach isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for navigating the hurdles of leadership effectively. Here are key strategies for people and vendor management based on our experience at Saint Park:

Empathetic Leadership: Managing personnel with empathy and firmness creates a supportive work culture where individuals can thrive while meeting performance expectations. Recognize that your team members are human and allow space for their personal needs while maintaining professional standards.

Strategic Hiring and Management: Take the time to vet potential hires thoroughly. The people you bring into your firm will significantly impact its success and how much time you spend managing versus practicing law.

Adaptability: Success in managing a law firm requires openness to change. Not every approach will work seamlessly, so be prepared to pivot and adjust strategies as needed to achieve your firm’s objectives.

Continuous Learning and Networking: Remember that practicing law is collaborative, whether you’re a solo practitioner or leading a team. Don’t hesitate to tap into your network for support, mentorship, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Though challenging, you can cultivate a cohesive team and maintain high morale to ensure your firm operates effectively and achieves its internal and external goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://saintparklaw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saintparklaw/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saint-park-llp/about/