Reflecting On Our Firm’s Journey

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Over the past five years, we’ve been very fortunate to have clients we love, interesting work, and a chance to build our ideal workplace. Every year, the firm has celebrated its birthday by making a donation to a non-profit organization. This year, we’re expanding that gift. We’ve asked our office family to each select a non-profit to support, and the firm will collectively donate $5,000 to them in honor of our 5th Anniversary.

This year, we’re supporting:

The Innocence Project (Megan)

Harbor Area & South Bay YWCA’s Human Trafficking Initiative (Suzanne)

LA Animal Services (Tracie)

The Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins (Steve)

The Novak Djovovic Foundation (Mila)

And, for me, what started off as a difficult choice, with so many organizations in need, became clear when I reflected on my decision, five years ago, to start this firm. In 2013, I lost my mother after an 11-month struggle through a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis. She was 65, a non-smoker, vibrant, and hard-working. I was born while my mother was in law school. My first friends were her law school classmates. For my entire life, I’d wanted to be a lawyer and a mother, inspired by the women around me. I followed that path and I haven’t regretted it for a single day.

This firm grew from the conviction that life is too short and we need to live our best lives sooner rather than later. For that reason, this year I’m taking this opportunity to support City of Hope. Its world-class research and strategies prolonged my mother’s life well past her initial prognosis. It meant a year of birthdays, holidays, a new grandchild, and an appreciation for family and life.

I am grateful for all of you who support us, whether through your goodwill, your business, your friendship, or your advice. I am happy to share this firm’s good fortune with families who could use some hope.

- Jennifer