Attorney Alina Lee found a new career niche that combines her expertise in marketing law and technology to help small to medium companies demystify B2B (Business-to-business) and B2C (Business-to-consumer) marketing. After working for both private and corporate law firms, Alina launched her own law firm to help businesses achieve effective marketing with brand integrity and legal compliance. Alina is an inspiration for all the Wild Web Women who want to do what they love, on their own terms. We enjoyed learning about Alina and hope you do too!
Meet Alina Lee!
What inspired you to launch a web-based business? I saw a gap in the legal market for top-notch attorneys with in-house experience and strong expertise in technology and marketing law. These are my core areas of expertise and I wanted to be able to make a difference by providing great legal counseling to small and medium sized businesses.
What do you love most about having your own business? I love the flexibility and autonomy. I do a lot of community service and volunteer work and my law firm allows me to spend my time how I want to instead of being tied to my desk during certain hours of the day.
What is the most challenging about running a business? For me, it’s building a book of business and gaining steady cash flow. I’m a very self-motivated person but not always the most patient when it comes to my expectations for myself.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments? I graduated from high school at age 14 and from college (the University of Georgia) when I was 17. I also played on UGA’s Women’s Varsity golf team, which was ranked as high as #1 while I was there. I’m believed to be the youngest winner of an NCAA collegiate golf tournament (at 16.5 years old).
What are some professional risks you’ve taken that led to positive outcomes? Starting my own law firm certainly has financial risks. However, I am much happier than I was working at other people’s law firms or in corporate America.
Where’s your favorite place to get work done? I work from home and I love it! My desk is near my living room’s large bay window that looks out at the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown Atlanta. It’s a beautiful sight at any time of day and helps to put my work in perspective.
Name three web tools you can’t live without. Other than Microsoft Office and LinkedIn, which are standard necessities, I rely on Clio for matter management and billing, Practical Law/Westlaw for legal research, and Hootsuite to manage my social media posts.
Do you have any professional role models? If so, who? My two attorney role models have passed away—Lew Horne and Han Choi. They were both amazing transactional attorneys who were able to “make it” to equity partner in “big law.” They also dedicated much of their time to their loving families and community service. They had big hearts and both passed away early in life from cancer.
What is the one book you would recommend other female entrepreneurs read? Designing Your Life by Burnett and Evans is a life-changing book. It helped me to methodically think through what’s important to me and what I want from my life as a whole and create a strategy and plan to get there.
Do you have favorite podcasts? My two favorite podcasts are “Hardcore History” by Dan Carlin and “The Broad Experience” by Ashley Milne-Tyte. Hardcore History provides a fairly accurate and in-depth look at some of the largest war campaigns in American history. The Broad Experience provides 15-30 min segments discussing different aspects of the working woman’s experience.
Are you part of any mastermind or networking groups? If so, which ones? I’m a member of Tim Fulton’s weekly mastermind group.
What does your typical day look like? About 3 hours of networking, 1 hour for lunch, and 4 hours of legal work.
How do you unplug from work? Golf, weightlifting, reading, meditation, and foreign films.
What tips for maintaining work/life balance would you give to other businesswomen? I personally struggle with work/life balance but I am trying to improve in this area. I know that I am in control of my boundaries and that caving on my boundaries is my failing rather than the failings of others. I am working on empowering myself to say “no” and stand firm on my boundaries.
What’s something you do every day to take care of yourself? I do my best to ensure that I sleep well and eat well every day. When I don’t, I see a big dip in my emotions and productivity.
What is a quote you live by? “To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible. To be as much as we can be, we must dream of being more.” – John C. Maxwell
What investments have most helped your business grow? Investing in my website, www.youradattorney.com, Calendly, LinkedIn Premium, hiring a marketing agency, and getting business coaching from Tim Fulton and Monica Shah.
Business-wise, where do you see yourself in 10 years? Continuing to operate my own law firm and with 2-3 full-time or part-time employees.
What advice would you give your younger self? It’s ok to be flexible and change your mind—that means you are growing and evolving into your best version of yourself and your aren’t giving in to the status quo.
What is the number one piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to run a web-based business? Have a solid business attorney, like me, to protect your investment and keep you out of legal trouble. You can book a free 15 min consultation with me here: https://calendly.com/youradattorney/15-min-free-legal-consult
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Learn more about Alina Lee and her business by visiting www.youradattorney.com and follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!