Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynette Kim
Hi Lynette, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Seoul, S. Korea, and immigrated with my family to Southern California when I was 10 years old. My parents got divorced around this time and my mom wanted to be near my grandmother and my aunts in Southern California, to be in a more supportive environment to raise me and my sister. My father stayed behind in Seoul. Partly due to the distance and a lack of encouragement to stay in contact with my dad, I never got to see my father again after the age of 10. When I graduated from law school, I was drawn to the field of family law almost immediately. Subconsciously, I think I wanted to see what my parents must have gone through during their divorce. I think how my parents handled their divorce, which was mostly through animosity and resentment, made an impact on me. I didn’t realize it as a child because we didn’t really talk about it. As a child, I didn’t have the life experience to articulate what I was feeling and observing. Even as an adult, I didn’t know why I was drawn to working with clients who were divorcing, until I did some soul searching well into my career.
Alright, 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?
Establishing a law practice was not easy. It took a lot of perseverance and patience that is required with the ups and downs of growing a business. Initially, I handled divorce cases in the traditional way, by litigating them in court. I was advocating for my clients and putting their best interest forward. Sometimes, though, my advocacy contributed to the confusion and chaos of it all, which went against who I was at the core of my being. At my core, I am a peacemaker. I want nothing better than for separating couples to be able to discuss their differences and resolve their disputes in an amicable way. Taking each other to court to tell the judge what a bad person the other spouse is does not serve the clients well as it can get time consuming and very costly. I did a lot of self reflecting and thinking about what my values were and how I can best use my personality and character in ways that were meaningful to me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a divorce attorney assisting couples to handle their divorces through mediation. I am known for a calm demeanor and my desire to help families that are separating with civility and respect, and without engaging in court litigation. I believe that we as human beings should treat each other with kindness, even when going through a difficult time such as a divorce. The decision to treat one another with empathy and kindness is important in enabling clients to move forward after their divorce, whether they have kids together or not. If there are children, it’s especially important so that parents can co-parent, support each other and raise their children together after their divorce. I am most proud of my brand that stands for kindness, empathy and equity.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Two of my favorite things in life are traveling and animals. Soon after graduating from high school, I took a year off from starting college and backpacked through Europe for several months by myself. As for animals, my dream is to become a philanthropist and support organizations that ensure the well being of animals. I feel a certain kinship to all animals, whether they are my cats soon to turn 18 years old in April, or those living in the wild, finding their way through life, dealing with their own struggles and challenges like us human beings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kimmediationandlaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmediationandlawcenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MediationFamilyLaw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynettekim/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kim-mediation-and-law-center-los-angeles
Popular
-
What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
-
Local Highlighter Series
-
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
-
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
-
Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
-
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
