We recently connected with Shari Trahan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shari thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

I believe what we do that differs from the industry standard can be quite counterintuitive at times in an industry where the emphasis is placed on results, i.e. money.

Rather than focusing on the money, which we recover lots of, we have chosen to focus on the emotional element of the practice area. The relationship building element. In each one of our cases, we strive to build rapport with our clients and really get to know them to better serve them.

We want our clients to be able to have an open and respectful dialogue about what is happening not just with regard to their physical health, but also their mental wellbeing during the process. We listen and ask questions to better understand the totality of the circumstances and how the accident has impacted them. It takes time and effort, but it is worth it.

As the firm grows, this will become a bit more challenging, but it at the core of who we are and why we do what we do, because we are the people.

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 back background and context?

I represent people who have been harmed by another through no fault of their own.

I would say I began having a desire to help people at a very young age and I wanted to be an attorney for as long as I can remember. However, when I experienced childhood trauma in the form of sexual abuse, that is when my world shifted. I felt like I had no one to talk to about what was happening. After keeping it in for years, I told my best friend, Martina and from there my life changed forever. She was my ally, my Godsend, and she spoke up for me when I did not have the strength to do it myself.

I was removed from my home, placed with my granna, whom I loved dearly, but it was definitely a transition. This happened while I was in high school.

The investigation began when I was in high school and I did not go to trial until I was a sophomore in college. When the investigation started, I had to do what is called a forensic interview. It is an interview whereby someone who is trained to ask children questions, asks them about what happened to them and that interview is recorded and can later be used at trial. It is the equivalent of a statement of an adult victim or witness.

There was a prosecutor at the DAs office that spoke to me and told me while I was there and she told me it was my word against his, referring to my abuser. She also informed me that I had to have all members of the jury to believe me for him to go to prison. She told me to always tell the truth and if I did not know the answer to a question, it was ok to not know. She also told me not to lose my cool. She said that the other side was looking at me and evaluating everything I did.

She said it ever so politely. I was not offended and it felt as though I had been charged with this high duty. Now, as a personal injury attorney representing those who have been injured by someone else, I take that a lot of my personal experiences with me. I understand how it feels to not know what to do, to need healing, and to have to trust someone outside of yourself to do what is right by you.

The problems I solve are that I hold the insurance company and their insured accountable.

What I believe sets me apart from others is that I genuinely care. I take time to listen, and I am pretty easy to talk to. I don’t limit my conversations to just what is going on in the case. I share my life with my clients in hopes that it will assist them and truly want to build a relationship with my clients.

What I am most proud of would have to be the support that I have gained from starting my firm. My people have been showing out! So honored that they have chosen me to represent them!

The main thing I want potential clients to know about my brand is that we are a small firm, but we have what it takes to get big results, we are relentless in our efforts and we ain’t scared! I also want potential clients to understand that they should always take selecting an attorney in any situation personally, but especially when selecting a personal injury attorney.

That person should be a reflection of them and the person that they believe will represent them in court best and advocate for what is in their best interest at all times.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I believe my life is a testament to God’s grace. I would have lost my mind without God.

I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I was raised in a devout Catholic household similar to most in Southwest Louisiana where Catholicism is very prevalent. Family is and was always important. Respect and education was also paramount. My family was living, supportive and always spoke life into me.

However, when my mom remarried, that changed. My stepdad started out being nice, but slowly started to abuse me. He would hit me, call me names, and sexually abused me repeatedly. I recall being so sad about it that I would stay in my room for days at a time to avoid him. I hated being around him.

He almost made me buy into the idea that no one liked me and that I was not smart enough to go to college.

Eventually, I got fed up with him manipulating me and I got a job at McDonald’s at either 14 or 15 years old and I worked there even after I went off to college. Financial independence was taught to me through necessity. It was how I protected myself from further abuse, so I have never shied away from hard work.

While the sexual abuse ceased, the physical and emotional abuse did not until it was reported by my best friend and the effects of the abuse carried over.

When I got to college, I met a man who I eventually was in a relationship with for over a year that was very toxic. I had gone from being a survivor of childhood trauma to being involved in an adult domestic violence relationship. I was able to escape that relationship alive after getting a restraining order and never going back.

I am not ashamed of my past as it has added to my resolve as a person, and I have been determined for it to not dictate my future so I am proactive about my mental health and I am very particular about my associations.

I could not have done any of this without my faith in God. That is my foundation.

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

I believe the most effective strategy in growing my clientele has been to do good work, to be authentic to who I am, and to treat people well.

I am starting to have repeat clients as well as clients referring cases and that is the biggest vote of confidence you can get as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.trahanfirm.com
• Instagram: @trahanfirm
• Facebook: Shari Trahan
• Linkedin: Shari Trahan
• Other: TikTok: @attorneyshari

Image Credits
@platgamma Gamma View Media George Harrison