By:  Lori T. Williams, Esq., Owner/Managing Attorney of Your Legal Resource

I’m often asked when I first meet someone, how I came up with the idea to create Your Legal Resource.  They often wonder what made me go from practicing law as a divorce attorney for 14 years, to becoming a legal resource to clients in need of legal advice and representation in all areas of law in Michigan.  I tell them it was a personal, professional, and spiritual convergence.

Here’s what happened:

I had already decided to wind up my divorce law practice in May of 2003.  I had no intention of practicing law, or being in the business of law, and I didn’t even want to be called a lawyer at that point. I was just DONE with it all.  6 months later, I was in a small group study through my church on the book “Purpose Driven Life“, by Rick Warren.  I was told by a few people, “this book will change your life”.  I shrugged, thinking “Whatever!” I wasn’t looking for my life to change.  It was EXACTLY the way I wanted it right then.  However, I proceeded with the study because everyone was doing it.  I’ve read many books over the years that did change or significantly impact me and my life or career, but I wasn’t looking for that at the time we began the study. (Click here to see some of my favorite books).  In the midst of the Purpose Driven Life study, I did find my purpose.  It was to connect others.  I had to laugh initially, because somehow I made a good living for 14 years by ending relationships as divorce attorney, when I was actually supposed to build relationships.

I naturally wondered, “how do I build relationships for a living?”  I asked that very question of my friend, Kim Knapp, who is a business coach.  She was in the group study with me.  I started talking to Kim professionally about how I might design a career out of building relationships.  The first thing she said was to look at my law background.   I said, “hold on!  I’m not practicing law again!”  Kim continued, “you don’t have to practice law, but you can use your legal background in a way that fulfills your purpose.”  And so I began.

After some guidance from Kim and brainstorming about what I liked about my career in law, what I didn’t like, and evaluating my strengths and weaknesses, Your Legal Resource was born in June of 2004.  I’ve helped thousands of people since then to connect with the right lawyer for their specific need, based on the lawyer and client’s personality, the lawyer’s expertise and years of experience, and the client’s budget and location.  I’ve created countless relationships inside and outside of the legal field, and daily I am the connector that brings people together for their mutual benefit. It could be lawyer and client,  lawyer and referral partner, two business people who might have some synergy, or it could be in my volunteer work at church or in the community.  I love being the connector, because I’m fulfilling my purpose and making a difference with every connection.

I’ve had a very fulfilling career in the legal field for over 30 years.  Part of my career utilizes my skills and knowledge intellectually, and the other part goes much deeper into the emotional and spiritual side to allow me to discover and fulfill my purpose.  It’s really a blessing that I stumbled upon the Purpose Driven Life book and study, but I know there are no accidents and it was meant to happen. I love being a resource to the general community in need of legal services, and to the legal community itself.

I’d be honored to assist you with your legal needs, or those you may refer to me. Contact me for a free consultation the next time you have legal questions or need legal representation in Michigan.