Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Casellini.
Hi Olivia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m a licensed attorney and I focus primarily on employment law and contracts. I’ve also created an educational subscription course for California employers so that they have a better understanding of the legal landscape they’re part of. It’s available online, on-demand, and is entirely self-paced. I’m really proud of it!
As a kid, my dream wasn’t necessarily to become an attorney; I thought for sure I’d be working with animals instead of humans! But the through line with what I thought I my career would be, and what it *actually* is, is trying to make the world a better place through service. That intention informs how I practice law and is partly why our law firm is called “Better.” I believe that by supporting my clients and empowering them to navigate their legal matters with confidence and clarity, I can help be a small part of the good that my clients are doing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think compared to many, I’ve had a pretty smooth road. My parents were educators, and they spent a lot of time with me as a kid, whether it was reading to me or taking the time to explain how things work and just really putting in the effort to make sure I was given every opportunity to learn and grow. I’m so grateful for them because I know that set me up for success later in life.
And to be honest, I think that’s why I’m invested in helping my clients learn and understand their legal situations! I *could* just tell them what they should do, or I could explain why I’m making the recommendation I’m making and be available to keep talking through their questions until everything makes sense to them. It’s that old adage: teach a person to fish, and you’ll feed them for a lifetime. I want to set my clients up for success again and again.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Better Professional Corporation (or “Better” for short). For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a small but mighty law firm that works with purpose-driven small businesses, nonprofits, and creatives throughout California. We want to be proactive with our clients to set them up for a better future. Our practice areas include employment law, contract drafting and review, entity formation/compliance, trademark/copyright, estate planning, and more.
I think we’re different than other law firms in our approach to people. Our clients typically describe us as “friendly” or “approachable” because we don’t believe in gatekeeping knowledge, and we’re transparent with our rates and billing practices. We’re also a certified B Corp, a 1% for the Planet Member, and even though we carry a pretty small carbon footprint as a mostly virtual practice that doesn’t sell physical products, we’re also Offset Climate Certified.
We’re also a member of Business for Good here in San Diego and are proud of the impact that BFG is making. There are so many amazing business owners in San Diego that are prioritizing people and planet over profit, and we’re excited to be surrounded by them and to serve them.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a huge bookworm. If you’re familiar with “Matilda,” I was sort of like her (minus the telekinetic powers), just churning through books constantly and eventually needing to read more advanced material because I moved through my own age group’s reading levels so quickly. I also loved being outside. I’m from a very rural community and went to elementary school in the middle of nowhere, so recess was usually me hunting ladybugs or laying in the grass and watching the clouds go by. Both of those traits are still very much part of my personality. If I’m not at work, I’m probably outside, reading a book, or both!
I was a talkative, goofy kid. I only ever got in trouble at school for being too chatty and not focusing on my schoolwork. Again, still part of my personality. I work more efficiently from home (by myself) because when I’m in the office with my team, I just want to talk with them all day! I have the best team.
Pricing:
- $250 per hour for nonprofit clients
- $350 per hour for for-profit clients
- Flat fee pricing available for various projects
- Educational subscription for employers: $50-65 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inbetterwetrust.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/inbetterwetrust
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@inbetterwetrust
- Other: https://inbetterwetrust.teachable.com/
Image Credits
Stacy Keck Photo LLC
