We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Josie Harris-Walton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Josie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My mother is the foundation of my resilience. From a tender age, she instilled in me the belief that I should chase my dreams relentlessly and never settle until I achieve them. Her lessons have stayed with me, making every hurdle surmountable because of the resilience she nurtured within me. I don’t surrender to challenges. Sadly, she passed away this February. My faith in God and the resilience she gifted me are the anchors preventing me from succumbing to despair. My mother was my hero—my “Shero.” Every day, I thank God for blessing me with such a remarkable mother. Her profession as a tax professional meant I grew up surrounded by the intricacies of taxes. It’s no wonder I hold a fervent passion for aiding tax professionals, ensuring they maintain compliance and remain on the right side of the law. Every time I assist a tax professional facing criminal investigations, I envision my mother in their shoes, and it pushes me to fight even more tenaciously.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I serve as the CEO and Founder of The Walton Firm, a distinguished law firm with expertise in criminal and civil tax matters, as well as corporate law. My primary responsibility lies in overseeing the firm’s criminal and civil tax division. I am notably recognized for pioneering the TaxPros Concierge framework. This unique approach guarantees our clientele of tax professionals unparalleled, tailored attention and assistance, especially during challenging times of criminal investigation or a criminal trial. My adeptness in this niche has earned me the moniker, the “TaxPros Attorney.”
What sets my practice apart is our commitment to defending tax professionals accused of tax fraud or undergoing criminal investigations. Also, because we have criminal and tax backgrounds, we are dedicated to demystifying the complexities of tax-related criminal probes or trials, offering our clients a beacon of relief and clarity.
Beyond my legal responsibilities, I am a passionate speaker. I often grace the stage at numerous tax professional events, enlightening audiences on navigating the treacherous waters of criminal investigations or criminal trials effectively.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have profoundly shaped my journey are my faith, resilience, and specialization that has been mostly impactful in my journey. For someone who is early in their journey, the advice I would give them would be: (1) Discover Your Purpose: Passion is the driving force behind genuine dedication. When you truly love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work. I’m ardently committed to my role as a criminal tax attorney, standing up for the ‘underdog’ against daunting governmental powers. It’s this fervor that makes even the most challenging days feel rewarding.
(2)Foster Resilience: There will undoubtedly be moments of doubt and hurdles that seem insurmountable. Embrace them. Your passion will serve as your guiding light, urging you to persist even when you’re tempted to relinquish your dreams. Trust in the journey and remember that every struggle you endure today will pay off tomorrow.
(3)Hone Your Specialty: Carve out a niche for yourself. While being a tax attorney already places me in a distinctive category, I chose to delve even deeper, specializing in criminal tax cases and focusing on a unique clientele of tax professionals. This isn’t merely a professional choice but also a personal one. I believe tax professionals often bear the brunt of their clients’ misgivings or misinformation, which isn’t just. Their role is demanding and they deserve an advocate in their corner, defending them just as fiercely as they defend their clients.
By harnessing these three pillars, you’ll not only set yourself on a path to success but also create a journey that’s uniquely yours and profoundly fulfilling.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most transformative experiences my parents provided me revolved around fostering a love for reading, introducing me to the intricacies of puzzles, and nudging me to speak at church, even when my reluctance was evident. Today, I’m an ardent reader, and my profession demands an adeptness at deciphering complex documents, rules, and case law to present to the IRS, state tax agencies, and court proceedings. As a criminal tax attorney, I constantly weave together facts and regulations to advocate for my clients, articulating these details before judges, adversaries, and criminal investigators. This skill, reminiscent of piecing together a puzzle, has proven indispensable in presenting compelling arguments to the courts and asserting my client’s innocence. I will always cherish the skills my parents ingrained in me. I did not understand why at that time, but I understand now. They saw me before I saw myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewaltonfirm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewaltonfirm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewaltonfirm2
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-walton-firm
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thewaltonfirm2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrvM1t9_8xXJ5GcwPX0CsMQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-walton-firm-no-title
Image Credits
Kauwuane Borton-the images that are in the professional setting.
