Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Roberts.
Kristen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
First off, I’d like to start by saying that one of the most frequent comments I’d get from people when they’d meet me growing up was, “You’d make a great lawyer.” I always replied with, “NEVER!” It was always my intention to be a singer. I was so confident, I studied music in college, and graduated with my B.A. in music with an emphasis in voice. I trained in opera but cut my teeth in soul and R&B. Classic torch songs and I loved everything Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Eartha Kitt.
I came to the law as a junior in college. Graduation was approaching, and I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to get into the music industry, but I thought that being able to negotiate my own contracts would give me a leg up if/when I got signed. So, just like that, I started studying for the LSAT. I applied and decided on Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, CA.
My first summer as a law student, I decided I wanted to work in the “entertainment industry.” I secured a position with a digital media company and dug in for the summer. Guess what? I hated it. I hated the place, the people, the work – just all of it. The worst part – I had NO idea what I was going to do, now that I decided the “industry” wasn’t for me. Of course, I could still pursue music, but I was doing well at law school and I wanted to finish my degree.
As a side note – I did get signed to a small record label between my first and second year of law school, but the music industry in 2008 was a volatile place, and the label actually ended up going under when I was recording. I have about half of an album recorded that I like to pull out at parties.
I graduated Cum Laude from law school and was also a Notes Editor on my school’s Law Review. I also graduated at the height of the Recession and jobs were scarce. I started looking for a job in litigation because I figured I could present well. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing, but I wanted to find work because the music industry was still struggling, and having some experience as a lawyer would only help me.
I found a job at a small law firm in North Park. You know the term “trial by fire?” That’s the best way to describe how I learned litigation. The first project that was dropped on my desk was a motion for prejudgment writ of attachment, and I had to file it by the end of the following week. Nothing prepared me! I spent three years working with some of the most talented and best lawyers, learning from them.
At the end of my tenure with that firm, my mentor (and one of the partners), pulled me aside and asked me what I was going to do after leaving the firm. I told him I wasn’t sure. He encouraged me to open a law firm. I told him that I didn’t think anyone would hire me, and I didn’t have any clients. He said, “You have me!” He sent some work my way and was really a huge reason why I had the chutzpah to start my practice. I was also lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband with great medical/dental insurance in my corner, as well! He actually took his entire bonus from that year and gave it to me as startup costs to get my practice up and running. One of my proudest moments to this day was being able to write him a check for 3x the amount he loaned me at the end of my first year in business.
I started my practice in the Paleo industry. In 2014, the Paleo diet was the big new “thing,” and there were tons of companies launching with these eating practices in mind. I was already living a paleo lifestyle and also part of the CrossFit world, so it made sense I’d find the majority of my clients there. It was actually due to one friend/client who got the ball rolling for me in that industry. I was one of the only lawyers in a completely unsaturated industry. My practice took off from there. To this day, many of those clients are still with me. What’s even better, is that they’re also some of my dearest friends.
Things have continued to progress. I now have a legal assistant, paralegals, and attorneys all working for me. I love helping businesses solve their legal problems, but even more, I love running a business. My company has taken me places I’ve never dreamed and opened doors I never thought possible. I never did end up becoming a famous singer, but I am so glad I chose this path!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh gosh, no! I will say, I am incredibly fortunate. My parents paid for law school, and given the insane loans most of my classmates had to take in order to attend law school, I know being debt-free put me into a position where making the decision to open a business was made a little easier. It was still scary, but I fully recognize my privilege in that regard.
However, my husband and I had been trying for years to have a baby. We finally conceived (with a little medical help), and our daughter was born 10/26/18. Because I have a home office, my initial plan was to take maternity leave, but “work” when I could – between naps, etc. However, in the spring of 2018, I decided to enlist some help. I hired a team of coaches and advisors to help me put together a business plan that would allow me to take true maternity leave. You know, just in case.
Turns out, that was the best idea ever, because my pregnancy turned high risk early on, and I needed to have a scheduled c section at 37 weeks. She was OK, but early, and she struggled in the beginning. I also suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, which I wasn’t expecting. I ended up taking four months off entirely. I was so glad I had made the decision to plan for true maternity leave. Goodness knows where my business would be without it.
Now that I’m almost seven months postpartum, I can say that I wish I had been kinder to myself. I was pushing SO hard to be the same person I was before the baby. We have a great daycare, and I’m still the same tenacious business person and lawyer, but my priorities have absolutely shifted and that’s OK. Putting family first doesn’t mean you’re not still an excellent business person and absolutely competent attorney. Guarding my time has been crucial in helping me manage my anxiety/depression symptoms.
This time has also taught me to let go. I have a difficult time delegating and tend to revert to doing everything myself. Now that I have a team to help me, I’m getting better at delegating, but I don’t think it will ever be something that comes naturally to me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Trestle Law, APC – what should we know?
We support businesses across the bridge to success. My firm’s name, Trestle Law, is representative of that purpose. A trestle is a type of support bridge, and it was my goal when starting my firm to support businesses in whatever way they needed. That turned into outside general counsel-type work. We help establish/set up business entities, get them set up with quality hiring documents/practices, and manage their intellectual property.
We’re mostly known for our trademark work. We help businesses monetize their brands through trademark registrations (domestically and internationally), enforcement, and licensing deals. It’s something everyone in the firm is very passionate about!
We also pride ourselves in offering fixed fee services whenever possible. We have a number of different service packages geared toward new business owners looking to lock down their legal for a fixed price. Accessibility is something we believe is incredibly important, especially when it comes to law and business. As a minority woman business owner myself, I want to always keep my services as accessible as possible.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Absolutely! I believe women now more than ever have an incredible amount of opportunity. I know we have a long way to go, but still! Look how far we’ve come – particularly in the law. Women can own firms, become judges, run in politics, and often times, they do it better than their male counterparts. I think it’s important women lift each other up, but also remember there are many men out there championing us, too. My business wouldn’t be where it is today at all if it hadn’t been for two very important men in my life. I absolutely recognize that!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2534 State Street, #402
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: www.trestlelaw.com
- Phone: 619-289-8939
- Email: kristen@trestlelaw.com
- Instagram: @kristen_roberts_esq; @trestlelaw
- Facebook: facebook.com/trestlelaw/
- Twitter: @trestlelaw
Image Credit:
Crystella Photography; Bokeh Photography
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