Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashly Valenzuela.
Hi Ashly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
First of all, thank you so much for having me! I’m originally from a small town of about 2,000 people and my parents had me when they were 16. By the age of 3, I was blessed with a baby sister as my mom was battling her own demons so it was often just the baby and I. Before middle school, I was moved to Orlando, FL with my dad while he worked about 80 hours a week, my mother was in prison, and my sister went to live with my grandparents. My dad, a partner in his engineering firm, and his mother (my Gram) were the driving forces in making me who I am today. I went on to graduate high school, attended Florida State University, and began pursuing my Juris Doctor at Stetson College of Law after working for one year as a Paralegal between colleges. My ability and desire to help those in situations similar to mine have become my main goal in life. I’ve always wanted to be a voice of reason for those who have no voice. In law school, I experienced a bit of déjà vu when my newest sister, age four at the time, moved in with me by order of the state. In addition to working at a firm, taking classes, heading two organizations, and completing a research project on the dangers of child poverty and necessity of foster care reform, I also became a mother to my baby sister.
As I reflect on my life, I realize that I want to protect others, especially children like my sisters, from situations like ours. This led to my becoming a Guardian Ad Litem to help save children from the horrors of a failing foster care system. I am still determined to continue to serve as a Guardian for as long as I possibly can in my legal career. However, once my other sister, Nina, went on to begin a performing arts career, obtaining multiple positions as a dancer on a cruise line, choreographer, commercials and video shoots, her accomplishments lead me to entertainment law. My love of music, coupled with my personal experience, have lead me on a new path to pursue a career in the entertainment law field to assist entrepreneurs, artists, creators and performers in obtaining everything they desire out of their careers.
I picked up and moved to Los Angeles with no idea if I had even passed the bar exam and found my first job with a huge entertainment firm—Goodman, Schenkman & Brecheen, working alongside attorneys like Carlos Goodman and Dave Feldman. Since passing the bar in December 2019, I embarked on an incredible journey into the entertainment industry by way of my own entertainment law firm, creating my own music, and meeting an entertainment law genius—Walter Mosley. At the beginning of 2021, I began working with Walter at his downtown Los Angeles firm and have begun to solidify my spot as one of LA’s best up and coming entertainment attorneys. There hasn’t been a room I haven’t been blessed to step into and I’m so thankful for the connections I’ve made in Hollywood thus far. I intend to become the greatest entertainment attorney in Los Angeles first, as “Legal Queen LA” of course, and then the sky is the limit!
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?
Well, being from such a depressing place (Brownsville, PA), the road has not been easy. I often think of myself as a mother of 4 because, aside from my stepbrother, my 3 siblings and my mother are all my children. I’ve had to spend my last to support us, I’ve been stolen from by my family members, stabbed in the back, and cheated. The place that I am from has nothing to offer but drugs, alcohol, gun and domestic violence, and babies. The “system” has been a constant part our lives over the last 7 years. I’ve lost my first love, godbrother, 4 grandparents, and many friends along the way. The death of my first boyfriend, who was only 19 at the time, was one of the most challenging times in my life. We were supposed to move to LA together after law school, so I made sure to do that for him. Losing my grandmother in 2016 and my grandfather in 2020 were also some of the most damaging times in my journey. Finally, throughout the pandemic, I ended up losing my job, my sanity, and 2 pregnancies, almost making me give up on my dreams and move back home to Florida. But by the grace of God, 2021 has picked me back up and placed me in such an amazing position for everything I came to LA to do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AV Legal & Entertainment?
AV Legal & Entertainment is an entertainment law firm focused on trademarks, contracts, business and music. I would like readers to know that I am solely in this industry to help others to have a voice, just as Lil’ Baby said, “I’m the voice.. be the hero.” Everyone in this industry needs an attorney, but not just any attorney— one who actually cares. As an empath and a nurturer, I treat every client as if I am in their situation or if I was their caregiver. I believe that’s the difference between myself and other attorneys, there’s not enough care in this industry. I work with entrepreneurs, musicians, including the legendary Teddy Riley, producers, and everyday people. The entire reason for obtaining an attorney is to either prevent a problem or to correct it, so why have an attorney who doesn’t see your problems as their own?
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone who wants to enter either the legal field or the entertainment industry would be to not take anything personally. It is cutthroat in both fields, but to join them together, it takes everything to an entirely new level. Don’t ever think you’re better than anyone or that things can’t be done without you, just be unapologetically you while remaining kind and caring toward everybody (no matter their position).
Pricing:
- Trademark Special: $1,500 per class
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://calendly.com/ashlyvalenzuelaesq/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Legalqueenla
- Twitter: twitter.com/Legalqueenla
- Other: Clubhouse: @legalqueenla
Image Credits:
@shotbysham
