As a prospective attorney, I always stay updated on the newest developments in the legal field from new firms to judicial appointments to policy and legal amendments. A new firm has definitely caught my eye. KMR Law Group a boutique firm in Chicago popped up on my timeline a few days ago and I had to read about it.

The foundation for the startup for their firm came from a simple tweet. Founding partner, Yondi Morris stated in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin “I, one day, was at wits end, I tweeted, ‘I just need to start my own law firm." From that tweet, friend and founding partner Keli Knight responded with a tweet that said "let's talk about that" and to complete the trio founding partner, Jessica B. Reddick joined the conversation. What was next for the three partners was to build a brand. For the brand, the trio did lots of research and consulted people in various fields to carefully plan out how their firm would be represented. From the colors in their logo to the staff they hired, Reddick stated in the Chicago Daily Law Bullentin " we wanted to build our brand before we introduced ourselves to the world and not just the legal field."

After the stage of branding, the practice areas of the firm developed next. With each partner bringing knowledge of a particular kind of law the focus areas became property law, real estate law, entertainment law, corporate law and estate planning. The next step was their launch in 2012, which at that time they needed to establish clients and they did that by reaching out to family, friends, colleauges and joining networks that would help introduce their law firm. Fast forward to 2016 and KMR Law group is growing and the founders are certaintly making their mark. In Mattie Kahn's ELLE article, the founders talk about their future plans. ELLE stated "And now that they have arrived, the founders have grand plans. A year after they opened for business, they established a legal staffing agency. The subsidiary places attorneys at law firms that need temporary help, and it makes a point to interview and take on minorities and women. Knight adds that the firm has recently hired an associate in Los Angeles, which means at least coast-to-coast expansion is on the horizon. Reddick chimes in: "World domination is next."

Reading about their story was inspiring to me but being able to read about who they are was the icing on the cake. In a 2015 Rolling Out Article, the author TJ Armour gives us an inside look on who the founders are. Check out some interesting facts about each of them below:

Keli Knight

 When did you know that you were destined to be a lawyer?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was about 5 years old. I’ve always enjoyed debating and, most importantly, winning!

Tell us three key factors that you believe makes a great attorney.

Issue spotting, networking, thinking outside of the box.

Take your pick: Annalise Keating or Clair Huxtable? Why?
Clair was the epitome of grace, class and successful in my opinion. She was feminine, yet strong and respected; and a businesswoman who could also manage family life. Usually, businesswomen aren’t portrayed in a manner where they essentially “have it all.”

Any favorite quotes or affirmations?
“The empty wagons make the most noise.”

Name a book that changed how you saw life and that you’d strongly recommend to others?
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

Yondi Morris

When did you know that you were destined to be a lawyer?
The moment I learned how to speak people told me I should be a lawyer. This is likely because I was so talkative, always argued my points and was rarely able to take “no” for an answer.

Tell us three key factors that you believe makes a great attorney?

Transparency. Ability to think outside of the box. Hard-working.

Take your pick: Annalise Keating or Clair Huxtable? Why?
Without a doubt, Clair Huxtable. Clair was a figure that so many of us looked up to. She had a brilliant mind and was no nonsense, yet was gentle, thoughtful and a loving, compassionate person. 

Any favorite quotes or affirmations?
“Being an entrepreneur is like jumping off a cliff and building your safety net on your way down.”
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Name a book that changed how you saw life and that you’d strongly recommend to others?
Kindred by Octavia Butler

Jessica Reddick

When did you know that you were destined to be a lawyer?

I actually did not grow up wanting to be a lawyer. Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so I actually thought I’d go to business school. It wasn’t until about a year prior to starting to law school that the idea of becoming a lawyer clicked with me.

Tell us three factors that you believe make a great attorney?

Critical thinking (in the legal world we call that “issue spotting”). Trustworthiness & the ability to connect with your clients & make sure they are comfortable. Creativity in conflict resolution

Take your pick: Annalise Keating or Clair Huxtable? Why?
No question I’m picking Clair Huxtable. Clair was unlike anything we’ve ever seen before on TV. Clair was brilliant, quick-witted, no-nonsense, ambitious and successful but always maintained her morals and put her husband and family first.

Any favorite quotes or affirmations?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
“Live in your vision, not in your circumstances” Chuck Pagano

Name a book that changed how you saw life and that you’d strongly recommend to others?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

I am so happy that I decided to click on the article about KMR Law Group. To each of you ladies thank you for creating KMR Law Group and having such an amazing story that young black women can look up to. Reading and learning about each of you has inspired me to continue pushing to become the best prosecuting attorney I will be. I wish you three nothing but success and blessings as KMR Law Group continues to grow. P.S.- To Mrs. Yondi Morris-Andrews... Hi Spelman Sister! Sending lots of love from your Spelman Sisters here on the Odyssey. For more information about KMR Law Group make sure to go to their website here.