Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff “Caesar” Chukwuma.
Briefly walk us through your story. How did you start and how did you get here?
I was born and raised in South Florida, but both of my parents are Nigerian. In Nigerian households, there’s a high premium placed on education, especially masters and advanced degrees, which are seen as pillars of upward mobility for our community. We have a saying that as a child of Nigerian parents, you can be anything you want to be, as long as you’re a doctor or a lawyer. In my family’s case, we all took that aphorism quite literally with a father who’s an ER doctor, a mother who has her own criminal defense law firm, a sister in residency pursuing dermatology, and a brother who’s preparing to go to Harvard Law School this fall. And, of course, there’s me, the Miami litigator. Being born and raised in South Florida, I knew I never wanted to go too far and therefore stayed local for both undergrad and law school at Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, respectively.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some struggles along the way?
I don’t think anyone’s journey in life is smooth. My dad is fond of saying life isn’t linear; it’s full of peaks and troughs that are up to each of us to navigate the best we can. I’ve been fortunate to come from a wonderful, loving, successful family, but that hasn’t made for total smooth sailing in my own life. I’ve realized that the battles we face are there to make us stronger, developing capacities within us we may not even realize exist that push us to our highest potential. Yet, still, despite all we achieve, there will always be more roadblocks ahead. Especially as an African-American, there’s always an added layer of difficulty to the challenges we face due to the way we’re still perceived and treated in American society. But, as my dad is also fond of saying, everyone in life is dealt a certain hand as soon as they’re born. There’s nothing we can do to change our initial circumstances, the hand we’re dealt. However, how we choose to play that hand through the choices we make is the real difference-maker in the end.
Tell us about your business. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.
My practice focuses primarily on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. Before I worked as a defense attorney, I was a prosecutor at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office for four years before launching my firm. Having tried over 50 cases to verdict as an Assistant State Attorney, I have experience with the nuances of criminal procedure and high-stakes litigation that continues to pay dividends in private practice.
What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m most proud of my commitment to inspiring and motivating those who are younger than me to be the best version of themselves. One of my biggest advantages I have is my social media presence, which allows me to show the youth a perspective that many of us African-Americans don’t get to see, especially during our formative years which are critical to determining the types of people we become. Most kids, white or black, don’t come from homes with doctor fathers and lawyer mothers. So I view it as my responsibility to be an example to the youth that aspires for more than what they see in their immediate surroundings.
What is the price range of your services?
There is no fixed price range. With personal injury cases, we don’t get paid unless you do, and nothing is paid upfront. With criminal cases, they’re so many variables that go into it that there’s no one price that fits the specifics of all cases. I do offer free consultations and am always willing to work with clients when it comes to fees, often setting up payment plans based on their ability to pay.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any significant changes?
My focus right now is the same as it’s been from day one: taking cases where I feel like I can be a difference-maker that can deliver the best results possible for my clients. The people that seek out my services are placing an immense amount of trust in me to help them navigate some of the most challenging situations in their lives. It’s my job to fully show up for them and use the full range of my skills to protect their lives, liberty, and personal interests. So far, we’ve been extremely successful on those fronts, and I look forward to having an even greater impact going forward. I believe the future is bright, not just for me, but for all of us.
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