Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Best
Elissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in the Inland Empire – San Bernardino to be exact. After graduating college I moved to Los Angeles for law school. Upon graduating law school and passing the bar exam, I was recruited to work as a defense attorney. I worked with and was mentored by one of the best defense attorneys in LA. We defended high profile cases involving celebrities, professional athletes, and major corporations. This is where I got my footing as a lawyer. But, after some years as a defense attorney, I realized that I actually empathized more with the “little guy.” I felt compelled to use my skills to represent and tell the stories of every day people who’ve been injured or wronged and who really need someone on their side fighting for them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. From moving to Los Angeles and starting law school to becoming an entrepreneur and opening up Best Law, I’ve experienced a lot of trial and error, but also a lot of growth. Moving to LA was really scary for me. I was only 20 years old and I was all alone. I’m the first lawyer in my family, so while they technically supported my decision, it felt like no one could really understand the journey I was about to embark on. On top of that, studying the law felt like trying to learn a foreign language. I battled a lot with self-doubt and imposture syndrome. Passing the California bar exam on my first try gave me some much-needed confidence. The California Bar Exam is notoriously one of, if not thee most, difficult bar exams to pass. Working hard and passing it on my first try gave me the confidence that, not only can I become an attorney, but I can excel greatly in this field.
Another major challenge was the decision to leave my law firm, where I worked as a Senior Litigation Attorney, and start my own firm. This was by far one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. Walking away from the comfort of a steady paycheck was something I struggled with. There are a lot of unknowns when you decide to open a business. But, I knew that I wanted more and I knew that the only way I could get that was by opening my own firm. The entrepreneurship journey has been one of the hardest, but I absolutely love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
As you know, we’re big fans of Best Law, PC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Best Law, PC is a boutique-style injury firm with a client-centered approach. Most personal injury law firms these days operate like a factory, seeing clients as nothing more than dollar signs and just trying to crank out as many cases as possible. They care very little about the client’s actual needs and they take a very cookie-cutter approach to cases. We are not that. Every client who comes through our firm has a very unique experience. We get to know our clients on a deeper level which enables us to tell their stories in a much more meaningful and passionate way. We take pride in being able to offer the highest quality of legal services in a way that feels personable, sincere, and effective.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Personally, I don’t believe in “luck.” I believe in preparation. And when preparation meets opportunity, that’s when the real magic happens. Being a good lawyer is all about preparation and putting in the work. There are no shortcuts. In fact, the only thing that actually calms my nerves is knowing that I prepared to the best of my ability for whatever moment. I am very grateful for the experiences I’ve had that have led me to where I am today – good and bad. I started Best Law, PC out of a terrible experience I had while working for a law firm. That negative experience forced me out of my comfort zone and forced me to think about what I really wanted. If it wasn’t for that terrible experience, I’m not sure I would have started Best Law.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.best-law.net
- Instagram: @thebestattorney
Image Credits
Photographer: Tony Bowen
IG: @tonybeephoto
