We were lucky to catch up with Rachel King recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Social media, in business, is sometimes considered a necessary evil. While the platforms change, it is unlikely that social media is ending anytime soon, and every business must have a social media presence. Though that presence differs based on industry.

I have a company that manages my firm social media. I have tried it and sometimes enjoy it. But the reality is that social media needs to be consistent, on brand, and targeting the ideal client. I am mediocre at best at accomplishing all that. I don’t want mediocre. So, I outsource it.

I learned early on in starting my firm that my time is better spent on tasks that I can excel at. Otherwise, I spend too much time learning how to do something that will only be ok. Or I can spend a fraction of the time finding someone that is exceptional, and that will be great. I choose the latter.

And I adore my social media company and my PR company. Both work together to market the firm!

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

Changing lives and solving problems is so rewarding. Giving advice runs a close second. Add in getting paid to do all of this, and I truly cannot think of anything better. I grew up in a family of lawyers. My father is an attorney in Nevada, my cousin a litigator in Orange County. Being around law was part of my childhood. Summer break was my dad and I sitting around after dinner talking about his cases, and him letting me think I was making the strategic decisions for his important cases… It made me feel great, involved, and close to him. I am sure that led me to love the law.

I joined the army shortly after graduating high school, the goal ultimately to have the military pay for my bachelor’s degree, and the VA to cover the costs of law school. I am fortunate that it worked out that way. After graduating from law school, I really wanted to practice the kind of law that I wanted to receive. I didn’t like feeling inadequate or small, and so often courts, lawyers, and the legal industry make people feel that way. I also wanted to make sure that I had time to be a mom, a wife, and have a life. The only way that I could reason this was possible was to start my own law firm. I did it, it is amazing. I love representing my clients. I love telling my clients’ stories in the courtroom. And I love solving problems.

I now do strategic litigation and have a premier trial team at my firm. We work complex and litigious situations in family law, probate and trust, and real estate. My mission is to be the fiercest advocate for my clients, to present their story to the jury/ judge giving them a voice in the courtroom, and to work together with my clients as a team.

I love bringing confidence to my clients during one of the most stressful times in their life.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

It is no secret that lawyers in general have a poor reputation. Shows like Better Call Saul are funny, but shed some light on the negative side of attorneys. I had to compete with overcoming the general conception that attorneys are pompous, arrogant, and often thought of as untrustworthy. And in fact, when I was 21, I was sued and my experiences with attorneys, in that case, were awful. I felt insignificant and dumb.

Therefore, when thinking about the kind of lawyer I wanted to be and be known as, it was really important to me that I was relatable and down to earth. I wanted to be viewed as approachable, but professional. Kind, but also fierce. Respected but feared. And to do that I decided to dress like it’s the weekend unless I have a court appearance. I made a conscious effort to speak plain legal language instead of legalese. And I made it a goal to be upfront with my clients, to tell them that if I ever have a concern about their case, I will tell them first. I also make it a point to explain to clients that the emotional stress of a lawsuit is something to be factored in when deciding how to proceed. Yes, you might be wronged. Yes, you may win a lawsuit. But at what cost, 2 years and the stress of a lifetime?

I also am relentless in my research and strategy. I am always thinking and rethinking case strategies.

This is the kind of lawyer that I am, this is the kind of lawyer that I want to be. And this is how I want to be remembered as an attorney. This becomes my reputation.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and keeping the morale up is never ending in a business. Law is one of the most stressful professions. It is easy to get caught up in the stress and to become cripplingly overwhelmed. It is also an area where laws are changing. Each and every person that works at the firm must be a team player. No one position is more important than another. I tell my staff, and they know, that I need each and every one of them— if I didn’t, they wouldn’t have a job. Working as a team is central to my firm, working together, helping each other, and supporting one another through the good times, hard clients, and poor court decisions. We all need to be there, we need to laugh, and we need to vent together. And then we need to put our heads down and get the job done.

And at the point that there is a breakdown, and someone is no longer a team player, they are fired. Period. No exceptions.

I also have a quarterly mandatory fun day. A residual from my time in the Army. We close the office and do something together- we have gone to the spa, escape rooms, paint and sips, and restaurants. I truly believe that this helps strengthen the bond and supports the team foundation.

Secondarily, I am the boss. I make sure that I act like a boss, that I lead my team, and that I support their personal and professional growth. It can be tempting to be a friend, and believe me, I have made that mistake. But a successful company doesn’t need a friend, it needs a leader. Being a good leader and constantly trying to improve as a leader, I think, improves the morale of the firm and creates a functional team environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelawyerking.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelawyerking/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelthelawyerking
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelawyerking/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelawyerking

Image Credits
Kip Cotheran Sebastian Sidi