Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Hall.
Hi Kimberly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I always laugh when I get this question. I literally fell into the legal profession. I went to work in a personal injury law firm after undergraduate school while trying to get a job in my profession. When I started at the law firm, I was doing administrative work, answering phones, and handling files. I ended up working as a paralegal and fell in love. A light bulb went off and I was like, I can do this and I applied for law school. I was accepted to the University of South Carolina and was excited to go. However, it was a culture shock for me and I struggled my first year. But I pivoted and worked very hard and did well the remainder of my time there. Once I graduated from school, I came back home to Atlanta to work. I ended up with William Boddie who is now a Georgia House of Representatives. He showed me the ropes and was good to me. He allowed me to make mistakes and grow in the field of criminal law and divorce law and I hated it. I went back to my first love of personal injury and have been in the part of the profession ever since. In between all of this, I became an adjunct professor at Herzing University and I taught paralegal studies. At this point, I have done it all. I have not worked for other firms, I have been a sole practitioner, I have been a partner in a firm, and then went back to working for myself and contracting for personal injury firms. No matter the role I was in, what I always discovered was many firms had an issue with the foundation. They had great people working for them but there were no strong systems in place. Lack of a strong foundation will eventually cause leaks, cracks, and a total breakdown. Seeing this in just about every firm I have worked with birthed KBH Consulting Group. Now I am working to help firms rebuild their protocols, procedures, employee morale, and the overall structure of their firm. I believe it is not only important to do work but to do the work well and that starts from the bottom up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I believe law school makes you believe you will get a degree and be marketable and get paid thousands of dollars. That could not be farther from the truth. Here in Georgia, the legal field is heavily saturated and I would argue there are more lawyers than jobs. Also, the legal field goes so far beyond criminal law, divorce law, and personal injury. Unfortunately, law school does not expose lawyers to the level of the legal industry. So because of that, it is easy to be pigeonholed in a particular specialization of the law. With all those unknown factors coming out of law school, it was very hard to find a job. My first legal job paid me $10 an hour and allowed me to make money from the cases that I brought in. So imagine asking for thousands of dollars for a case and no experience. So I took cases for a flat fee and ended up working for pennies on cases that lasted months and sometimes years. I was about 5 or 6 years in before I started making any money. My biggest hurdle was in law school. After my first year in school and not doing as well as I wanted, was told by the Dean of the school that I should consider leaving and finding another profession because I was not cut out for this. However, he had to hood me on graduation day and it was a life lesson that I have carried with me the rest of my life. Listen to no one when it comes to your dreams and goals. The other struggles that I have conquered along the way are proving I am just as smart and capable as a lawyer from any top-tier law school or big firm. My degree does not matter and neither does my skin color. What matters is my ability to handle the task or my heart for the work that I do. It is a continuing battle and it is one that I show up for day in and day out and continue to fight through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about KBH Consulting Group?
My business does contract work for firms that do plaintiff firms. I train paralegals in this profession and help firms to build protocols and policies for their firms. What my consulting group does makes it easier for firms to run their businesses efficiently so they can focus on what they do. I think it is difficult to say what sets me apart from others because I believe the comparison is the thief of joy. What I can say is that I bring a love for the profession, a high level of communication, and respect for others to the table which in my opinion is all a lost art. I think brand-wise, I am most proud of myself. I am my brand. There are no gimmicks or jingles. No tagline or anything. Just authenticity, I want readers to know that with my business you get me. I am all hands-on and if your business just needs that push, that extra attention to detail, and that assistance with their employees, I am the person to help.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think genuine networking is essential. People can be so fake and look out for themselves. I think it is important to know people’s motives when networking and understand that it is a part of the world. Connections definitely can make the journey easier for anybody. However, I think it is equally important to surround yourself with people who have the same mindset as you. If money is your mindset, then network with money. If self-awareness is your mindset then be acquaintances with those that have self-awareness. Do not put yourself in circles that do not meet your meet your goals or put yourself in circles because you feel like that is what you have to do. I have never been a follower but a leader and that has worked well for me. I think having a mentor is important. I was not fortunate to have a mentor during my career but I strongly believe if I had one then I would have saved from making many of the mistakes I have made.
Pricing:
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Contact Info:
- Email: kimberly@kbhconsultinggroup.com
- Instagram: kbhconsultinggroup
Image Credits
Timeless Imaging Atlanta Faces_by_Fanelli LaShane Bell J Brooks Boutique
