We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keisha Perry Walker, Esq. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about making remote work effective.

In 2020, the entire world had to shift in a way that was foreign to my generation and had never been seen before; however, it was eye opening as it relates to the remote workspace. Although I had and still have a brick-and-mortar office space, work from home became my preferred method of operation. As the world began to re-open, my then assistant tendered her resignation from the Company. I was nervous about bringing in a new hire because of the exposure as COVID-19 was still at its height and taking a deadly toll on people of all ages. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with one of my old assistants who was willing to come aboard again, but her requirement was the ability to work remotely. She was familiar with the Company’s operations, clients, and me so this was a small ask in comparison to the other elements which came with bringing in a new hire. In addition the COVID-19 pandemic showed us that remote work could be done and done efficiently in our industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m a native of Memphis, Tennessee, but after nearly 20 years in Georgia, I now consider Atlanta home. I am an Entertainment Attorney practicing transactional law focusing mainly in the areas of music, film, television, and social and digital media influencers. I handle contract review, revision, and negotiation, strategy and advisory services. I help clients to properly protect themselves based on how their contracts are drafted, but I also guide them on how to structure and expand their business endeavors

My journey into Entertainment Law has been an interesting one which in many ways was unintentional so I have deemed it divine placement and purpose. I began my journey in the music space and was two years into this area when my then boyfriend, now husband, Ty Walker who is a film and television producer asked me to review contracts for one of his projects. Initially my response was, “this is not within my practice area.” He would not take no for an answer. I’m glad he did not because he introduced me to a practice area that I absolutely love. Entering into the social and digital media space was another area of divine intervention. My younger cousin, De’arra Taylor, became a YouTuber and needed representation. This was not a practice area that I was focused on, but again through divine intervention, it was dropped in my lap, and I have grown to thoroughly enjoy this practice area.

I am very proud of the work that I do, the relationships that I have built throughout my career, and the experiences that my career has afforded me to have. I have a familial approach to client relations and give them the same zealousness and fervor that I give to my family members that I represent. I want my passion for people and the law to always be evident through my representation.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Upon moving to Atlanta, I knew I wanted to practice Entertainment Law, but I did not have an easy point of entry. Although my mentor taught me the foundation of practicing in the music space, it was did not come with a check. When I started The Perry Law Group, my plan was to solely practice in the entertainment industry and depend on this as my main source of income; however, my paying clients in the beginning were not consistent and neither were the checks. As I was determined not to go back to working for another firm, I made the pivot to add real estate law to my firm’s practice areas. Real Estate granted me the security to have steady income but also the flexibility to attend entertainment events and build my clientele. I had to find an alternative practice area that aligned with my long-term goal, while meeting my short-term goal of steady income without working for someone else who would dictate my schedule. This pivot was instrumental in my success today.

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

I believe that longevity in entrepreneurship is synonymous with resilience and perseverance. Most entrepreneurs have failed, flopped, and flatlined at some point in their journey. I am no different. I have learned costly lessons, lost clients, and made mistakes, but this is all what allows me to be successful today. All of the bumps in the road have allowed me to have longevity. “Your sea legs are not properly tested if you only stay on land.” Translation, you don’t know your strength until it is tested.

When I first began practicing, I knew I wanted to practice Entertainment Law, but I had no clients, no income source, or referral source. So, in order to sustain the desire and support myself financially, I began handling real estate closings which allowed me financial stability, but did not interfere with my pursuit of Entertainment Law. Instead of giving up because it was not coming easy, I resolved to find another way to not only pursue my dream practice area but to also maintain my financial status without working for someone else. Nearly 20 years later, my resilience and ability to find a way or make one on my own has been highly instrumental in my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.perrylawgroup.com
• Instagram: @keishaperryesq
• Linkedin: Keisha R. Perry Walker, Esq.
• Twitter: @keishaperryesq