We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Settles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jennifer with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Providing top-quality work with integrity, reliability, aggressive representation and professionalism – these are essential qualities and part of the work ethic for a good lawyer.
I’ve practiced law for over 25 years, and I developed my work ethic early on in my career. I learned my work ethic by observing my mentors, and by always taking ownership of the issues that are before me. My approach is to work collaboratively with my clints to find the best path forward, finding the best solution which says “yes” to help them accomplish their goals.
Whether a client comes to me with a small problem or a large problem, I treat each client with the same amount of kindness, respect and attention to detail. This is how I want and expect to be treated in all aspects of my life, and so that is how I treat others.
Being a business and real estate lawyer is thoroughly enjoyable (truly! I realize many people may not believe that, but its true). Inevitably, each case requires creativity and strategic thinking. This is what keeps me engaged and working hard for my clients each day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve worked as a business and real estate attorney for over 25 years. I started my career working in law firms. Later, I worked as in-house corporate counsel for large corporations. I’ve been very fortunate to work on so many different complex and fascinating transaction over the years, in different industries and with different business objectives – in good economic times and bad. I feel like I’ve “seen it all” – in some form or another!
Recently, I left the corporate world and started my own law firm, called Prime Legal Freelance, LLC (www.primelegalfreelance.com). Through Prime Legal Freelance, I represent clients in corporate governance, commercial contracts, M&A deals, real estate deals and more. I love being able to provide my clients with the skill and experience they need, at a low fee. My overhead is low, and I pass that savings on to my clients by charging low fees.
I am also a certified nutrition coach and yoga teacher, and a strong advocate for workplace wellness. With my sister-in-law as my partner, we are starting a new business of providing personal training, nutrition and wellness coaching for women and business owners. Our new business will be called Vibrance Wellness & Strength Coaching, and we are super excited to launch.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have been most impactful for my journey are:
- Curiosity. For me, curiosity means listening more than talking; digging deeper and not accepting surface-level explanations; reading and listening to different perspectives; asking lots of questions; having an open mind; and then asking more questions based on the feedback received. In my experience, curiosity opens unexpected doors, strengthens relationships and improves outcomes. Curiosity leads to the next quality . . . creativity . . .
- Creativity. Being creative is critical for success. It means not being attached to past processes and prior rules. Instead, I like to look at each situation with fresh eyes and an open mind, and in doing so, new potential solutions are revealed. Being open to seeing situations from different perspectives leads to much better outcomes!
- Risk-Taking. I’ve never been afraid of “failure”. Re-framing a “failure” as feedback and input on what to do or not do the next time, is essential. Doing your homework first, and then taking calculated risks is necessary to progress to the next stages of professional success. I’ve always been a proponent for taking calculated and well-thought out risks.
Being curious, creative and taking risks each require deliberate effort. They don’t “just happen” automatically – but with ongoing effort and intention, these qualities make a huge impact.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents had a huge impact on my life. I was very fortunate to be raised by loving and supportive parents, who encouraged me to follow my interests and passions. They consistently demonstrated what it means to be kind, respectful and caring to all people – and this is something that has always stayed with me. My parents also placed a high value on education, perseverance and hard work, and those traits were formative to me, and have shaped the way I run my own life and how I raise my own children.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.primelegalfreelance.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-settles/
