Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory D. Raines.
Hi Cory, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, both of my parents worked in corporate America, and I always knew I wanted to follow in their steps and become a businessman. My dad, Adrian Raines, worked for AT&T and my mom, Dierdra Raines, for the Coca-Cola Company. My love for business and the law came full circle when I had the privilege of meeting several prominent NBA players and their agents at Coca-Cola. At the time, my mother was a finance manager and worked with the Sprite and NBA divisions. This gave me access to many businesses, entertainment, and sporting events. During one event, I met a very successful sports agent, Aaron Goodwin, and he explained to me how tough the sports agent industry is and that I should consider law school if I wanted to accomplish my ultimate goal of being a sports and entertainment agent and lawyer. From that day on, I was focused on attending college and law school to achieve that end.
I was excited to attend my favorite school, the University of Georgia, where I graduated with honors with an I major in Marketing with a Spanish minor. From there I enrolled at the University of Georgia School of Law with the ultimate goal of working in the sports and entertainment industry as an attorney or agent. However, as most law graduates can confirm, what you go to law school for often does not translate into what you become after graduation. Immediately after law school, I found myself working for various organizations and firms and practicing in areas I did not particularly like. This included a public defender’s, bankruptcy firm, and personal injury firm. After spending several years working for others, I was highly unsatisfied I had forgotten why I went to law school in the first place. As a result, in 2018, I did the unthinkable and opened up my own practice, Raines Legal Group, P.C., where my practice areas include entertainment & sports, business, and personal injury law.
Apprehensive at first, I was fortunate to have a network of mentors to help guide me through the risky process of starting a law firm from scratch. However, this uncertainty quickly faded as my law firm and I started becoming successful in the highly competitive Atlanta legal market. My philosophy was to learn as much as I could while being confident and approachable. This combination has allowed me to have worked with and represented a variety of successful entertainment clients, including Grammy nominees and renowned hip hop record labels with platinum albums. Additionally, I have represented sports figures and have advised companies both domestically and abroad. Starting Raines Legal Group was a tough decision but has proven to be the best decision of my life.
I am thankful for my mom, dad, twin sister, Courtney Raines, who have been with me every step of the way. I enjoy the flexibility and spontaneity that comes with being an entrepreneur, but most importantly, I am proud to have fulfilled my childhood dream of entertainment attorney and businessman.
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?
Because the practice of law is never smooth, starting your own law firm can be a risky and treacherous experience for those who are not ready. When starting out, I had to do absolutely everything, which most people don’t realize is unduly burdensome and not for the weak. Firstly, as a law firm owner, you are a businessman and entrepreneur first, and then an attorney second. I had to wear several hats to ensure that firm would operate and included receptionist, social media manager, paralegal, accountant, IT specialist, and of course, attorney. There were times where my day consisted of 90% business and 10% practicing law. In order to do accomplish all the tasks associated with all those hats, I joined the 5 a.m. club. Because of the success and discipline, I gained from waking up so early starting out, my alarm continues to ring at 5 a.m. each morning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your practice?
Raines Legal Group, P.C., located in the financial district of Buckhead Atlanta, Georgia, offers a broad range of legal and consulting services in the following areas and industries: business, entertainment, and personal injury.
Whether you are an individual or an organization, Raines Legal Group is here to serve all your legal needs. We are consistent, patient, and professional, giving each new case the attention it deserves. An integral part of our services is to work closely with our clients so that they can make the right decisions with respect to their needs. By combining a fundamental understanding of the big picture with the complexity of daily interactions and experiences, Raines Legal Group provides positive and proactive solutions for a myriad of client needs.
Our clients include small businesses, entrepreneurs, entertainment professionals, and individuals. We value developing long-lasting relationships with those we serve.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was going out of the country for the first time with my family. Our first trip abroad together was when my twin and I were five years old. We went to Nassau, Bahamas, which has become one of my favorite vacation spots. This would be the first of many trips that we took outside the country. I enjoyed being around other people and different cultures so much that I decided that I wanted to learn a second language and received a minor in Spanish.
Contact Info:
- Email: craines@raineslegalgroup.com
- Website: www.raineslegalgroup.com
- Instagram: @oldfashionraines and @raineslegalgroup
- Facebook: facebook.com/raineslegalgroup
- Twitter: @cory_d_raines and @raineslegal
