Today we’d like to introduce you to Garry Louima.
Garry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Broward County as a child of Haitian immigrants. I graduated from Boyd H. Anderson High School, and Florida International University double majoring in Political Science and International Relations. For law school, I attended the Florida A&M University College of Law.
My father owns his own lawn service business, and that is where I obtained my first job, learned the value of hard work, and most importantly the value of business ownership. I was not sure what I wanted to do after law school after being exposed to so much after my 1L year. During my final year of law school, I clerked for the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. It was there I realized there is a need for lawyers who can properly advise and help small businesses. Watching small business owners lose everything really resonated with me, as my family could have been in their shoes. Shortly after graduating from FAMU Law and passing the Florida Bar, I started my own firm to help small business owners, and I love what I do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning a law firm is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I am just kidding, it has not been a smooth road AT ALL!
It has been challenging building a law firm from the ground up right out of law school. I graduated May 2018, took the bar July 2018, and was sworn in as an attorney on September 20, 2018. I officially started my law firm about a month after swearing-in. Before starting my firm, people in the legal profession would warn me that “you eat what you kill when you own your own firm.” Nobody is going to simply hand you clients and cases, you must make that happen on your own with your own efforts and connections. I overcame this challenge by providing quality legal services to every client I secure, and word of mouth has helped my firm grow to new heights.
In addition, a law firm is a business and I am an entrepreneur. It is imperative for me to consider things like marketing, networking, branding, and competition. The practice of law is a very serious but highly rewarding field, but I learned very quickly that a great lawyer does not automatically equate to a successful law practice. Learning how to navigate through all of that and becoming very self-reliant has been challenging but it has greatly contributed to the success I have obtained thus far. Balancing the legal, business, and administrative aspects of my firm as well as balancing my personal and social life was difficult, but I’m getting the hang of it.
I love working with people just as passionate about their business as I am about being a lawyer. That makes any obstacle or challenge worthwhile.
Please tell us about First Step Legal Solutions – what should we know?
I still believe that America is a land of opportunity and that the American Dream still exists. I put myself out to the public as the American Dream Lawyer, because I help people pursue and protect their version of the American Dream. Some may view small businesses as just a business that provides a service or sells goods. In my perspective owning a small business is a way for someone to change their economic situation for the better. Small business owners are the people that contribute to the community for things such as little league uniforms, community fundraisers, and even helping people in the community find jobs or provide financial support to those in college.
I am a business lawyer and I primarily help people with business formation, compliance with state and federal statutes specific to their business, contract drafting, review and negotiation, actions against LLC members and actions against partners in a partnership, breaches of contract and actions involving Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
What sets me apart from others is my passion and commitment to what I do. I understand that business for a business owner isn’t just your business. It is your dream, your baby, and how you provide for yourself and your family. Your business can play a large role in how you construct your self-identity or even the identity of your family. That is why I do my absolute best to protect the best interests of my clients.
When you look back, what are you most proud of?
Although I knew I wanted to primarily practice business law when I started my firm, I was also helping people with debt collection defense. I had one instance where a mother of three (one of which is disabled) and grandmother of 1, was facing a very large debt. She had no idea how she was going to pay it as she is the primary provider in her household. After being threatened with wage garnishment and liens she called me and explained her situation. After weeks of “intense fellowship” with opposing counsel, I was able to lower what she owed by over 70%. She was very emotional and thanked me for my work. That moment really stuck with me, because I really felt like I helped someone solve a major problem in their life. I was very proud of myself at that moment, but I was mostly happy that I was able to help her. That is the driving force behind everything I do or will ever do in the legal profession, helping others.
Pricing:
- Consultation $200
- 12 Month Small Business Retainer $100 a month
- Operating Agreement/Partnership Agreement starting at $1500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.FirstStepLS.com
- Phone: 954-600-0651
- Email: Louima@FirstStepLS.com
- Instagram: @FirstStep_Legal
- Facebook: First Step Legal Solutions, PLLC.
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
