Her Story
About Sarah
My journey into law started in an unexpected place - the banking world. At 16, I did an internship at HSBC Bank in the UK where I was born, and that sparked a passion for banking. When I came to the U.S. with my parents around 17 years old, I continued working in banks throughout high school and college, spending about 6-7 years total at Washington Mutual (now Chase) and Fairwinds Credit Union. I thought I wanted to become a banking attorney, but when I got to law school, I realized the compliance side of banking wasn't for me - I loved the social banking aspect, interacting with clients. Growing up around my parents in the real estate business, wheeling and dealing different business purchases and sales, real estate was always in my blood. During my first year of law school, I went to an interview on July 4th with a solo practitioner - I remember thinking, why am I going to an interview on July 4th, my life is doomed after that! But we really kicked it off, talked for like 5 hours about different goals, and I started volunteering for free as an intern. I ran his whole practice's real estate department and some litigation throughout law school and a year after. That's when I discovered litigation wasn't my purview - I love doing real estate and business transactions. I moved back to Orlando and set up my own shop at 26-27 years old, having no idea what the hell I was doing. My parents referred clients here and there in the first year, then I realized clients don't just walk in the door - I have to actually work now, go to networking events, build relationships and referral sources. I worked really hard for the first 3-5 years just building the business and growing. I hired my intern in the first year, and she's still with me to this day, 14 years later - she's now my Client Relations Director. I've put so many students through internship programs at colleges, and now they are full-time registered paralegals within my office. Some have gone on to become practicing attorneys, like one who works for Johnson & Johnson. Giving back what I was given - everyone needs an opportunity. It's up to you, but especially the young generation needs guidance. Fourteen years later, here we are - I have a beautiful practice doing amazing things for people and business owners. I'm also a real estate investor with ownership in hotels, and my goal for the next 5 years is to own my own boutique hotel, my own brand, something eco-conscious with yoga, zen, meditation vibes, because if we don't fix what's happening in the world today with policies being cut down for development, how are we gonna thrive in the future?
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
It's gonna be a combination of my whole life - stories, mentorship, perseverance, dedication and commitment. Dedication and commitment is the biggest thing. There's so many times that you want to give up, right? Like, it's 3 o'clock in the morning, or two of your staff are out sick, or your whole office goes down because it was struck by lightning - you want to give up, you don't want to do this, but you just keep going through it. That's what I tell people as well - look, we're all gonna have crappy days. Deal with them and get through it, and have a good attitude and coffee. It makes it just so much more easier, because then a few days later, a week later, you're gonna be laughing about it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Whatever obstacle is put in your way, and there's gonna be many, and there's gonna be many people that doubt you, you can always overcome it, and never be afraid, and always ask for help. Seek help and get mentorship. Mentorship is so important. I've had other mentors throughout my career - colleagues, other attorneys, even a client turned mentor who's now like a father figure to me. People that have helped me along the way. And for young people especially, having guidance and them needing guidance is so important. Everyone needs an opportunity - it's up to you, but the young generation needs that guidance.
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