"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, . . . and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

If I could pinpoint when I first wanted to be Boss, it was at the very beginning of my career when I worked for law firms catering to the Asian population. It was also then that I realized how inadequate I felt as a lawyer. So I went on a quest to acquire research, writing, advocacy and trial skills. I found that defense law firms had excellent training programs and aimed for a job there. For 12 years, I worked tirelessly as a defense attorney practicing and honing the skills I so desperately wanted.

Once I was confident in my abilities as a lawyer, I began to reflect on my “why”. Why did I become a lawyer? Growing up I saw my mom struggling to make ends meet. She worked two jobs, just to pay the bills. She would often come home exhausted from her long days at work. So when she experienced injustices, she didn't want to “make trouble”. Yet, I remember listening to her list of regrets. It was then that I decided, that I would stand up for her. I wanted to be a lawyer to speak up for those who couldn’t. I wanted to fight because I didn't want to live with regrets.

After 12 years, I knew that I was unsatisfied representing corporations. So I made a career change and worked in a non-profit representing clients facing eviction. I connected deeply with the struggles that my clients faced and I found the work rewarding. In hindsight, I realized the skills I developed as a defense attorney, enabled me to battle and represent people with real problems.

So I am now taking "the road less traveled" by opening up a law firm and writing a blog. I've always wanted to be the Boss and practice law differently. I feel like I just jumped off a precipice and it’s both scary and exhilarating!