Heather R. Reese is an associate attorney with Dashevsky, Horwitz, Kuhn, Novello & Shorr. Heather has a well-rounded approach as a personal injury attorney. With a focus on motor vehicle accidents and premise liability, Heather works with her personal injury clients to deliver them favorable results and win them maximum compensation. During client communication, she displays her understanding and sympathy, recognizing that her clients’ lives have been drastically affected by an injury. When representing her clients, Heather unleashes the confidence and tenacity necessary for protecting her client’s best interests.

Heather began her career while still in law school. She interned at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office bravely battling against those accused of committing domestic violence. Her determination and sense of righteousness served her well when she decided to advocate for other kinds of victims. Following her internship, Heather worked for one of the largest personal injury firms in the city, gaining essential experience and creating valuable relationships.

Heather obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware and continued her education in Delaware at Widener Delaware Law. While educated in Delaware, Philadelphia has Heather’s heart. When she’s not working, she’s an active voice in the legal community for young women. She is a member of both the Hispanic National Bar Association and The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania.

After spending years building my legal career and a family, I woke up to realize the life I built was also the one I dreaded.

As a young mom to a toddler who saw the nanny more than she saw me, I was burnt out, unhappy, and suffering from chronic anxiety. I also felt like I had lost my sense of purpose and passion.

Each day I came into work feeling defeated, taken advantage of, unsupported, and expendable.

I was forced to answer some hard questions

What am I doing this for?

Why am I leaving my daughter every day for THIS LIFE?

These questions were in direct conflict with everything I had been taught about becoming a “good lawyer” like:

“If you are not suffering, you are not working hard enough.”

I eventually made the huge decision to walk away from the practice of law. I knew it was in the best interest of my family, but I still allowed it to mean something about me. I felt ashamed and guilty, like a failure and a quitter.

Again, I was forced to answer some hard questions.

Who was I outside of being a lawyer?

What did I truly want out of life?

What made me happy?

For the last 10 years, I have been on my own self-discovery journey, educating myself and am here today to share something you deserve to know:

The secret to success is not what you have been told all along.

It’s more than working the most billable hours, more than burnout, more than feeling constantly overwhelmed and overworked.

There is a better way. One that puts YOU first every day by empowering you to form the nonnegotiable laws of your life.

You are worthy, deserving, and capable of a life and career that leaves you feeling happy, fulfilled and successful.

The first step I took on my self-discovery journey was actually to get out of my head and into community! I needed to find examples of what it looks like to live life on purpose and on my terms. Thus, the Powerhouse Lawyers community was born!

I invite you to take advantage of the permission slip I wish someone had offered to me during my years of practice, get clear on your purpose, and begin building a life you can’t wait to wake up for.

XO,

Erin

Rochelle Gapere is an Attorney, Happiness Coach and Entrepreneur. Known for bringing her charismatic personality and sheer joy for living to every experience and individual she encounters, Rochelle has mastered the art of living life fully and passionately. The release of her Amazon bestselling book, One Happy Thought at a Time: 30 Days to a Happier You, cements her lifelong practice of adding more happiness to this world by empowering others with science-based tools and techniques that help them lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Rochelle believes in living a life that is engaging at every level and utilizes practical techniques to teach audiences her unique approach to living a happy life.

Rochelle describes herself as an “Attorney by trade and Happiness Coach by heart.” Rochelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 2005. In 2018, she earned a Positive Psychology Specialization Certification through the University of Pennsylvania. She is the 2019 recipient of The Florida Bar YLD Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award.

Learn more at: https://rochellegapere.com/

Kayla Britt, the Fairy Law Mother, is dedicated to empowering law students and young lawyers, by providing resources that bridge opportunity gaps. Her passion for supporting and nurturing the next generation of legal professionals has led her to expand her services nationwide!

Kayla earned her JD from North Carolina Central University School of Law and an MPA from North Carolina Central University. After graduating law school, she served as a judicial law clerk at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General for the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Throughout her legal career, Kayla has earned numerous accolades, including;

• North Carolina Central University’s Forty Under Forty
• North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law Award
• Charles F. Blanchard Young Lawyer of the Year Award Awarded by the North Carolina Bar Association,
• Twice recognized by the North Carolina Bar Association as Young Lawyer of the Quarter.

In addition to these recognitions, Kayla is a published author in the North Carolina State Bar Journal and The North Carolina Bar Blog, and has presented on topics including law student networking, law student and young lawyer branding, building a digital footprint, professionalism for new attorneys, disabilities in the legal workplace, and more.

In January 2023, Kayla launched the Fairy Law Mother brand on LinkedIn. Since then, she has been instrumental in supporting law students and young lawyers across the United States by sharing job postings, internship opportunities, scholarships, and networking events. Kayla is excited to continue making a significant impact on the legal community and assist aspiring and young lawyers in navigating their careers.

https://www.fairy-law-mother.com

Rebecca P. Beliard, Esq. is an award-winning attorney, renowned public speaker, and consultant. Her career is marked by impressive legal expertise in business, entertainment, and trademark law, where she has represented Fortune 500 companies and negotiated transactions valued at over $1.2 billion.

Throughout her career, Rebecca has worked for Sony Music Entertainment, ViacomCBS, Akerman LLP, Hot 97 Radio Station and most recently, as legal counsel at Amazon Music, where she continued to negotiate groundbreaking deals.

Rebecca regularly speaks on cutting-edge topics in the entertainment industry, diversity, equity and inclusion, and professional development.

In addition to her multifaceted career, Rebecca has developed a signature workshop called “Shoot Your Shot in the Professional Arena.” This workshop offers insightful strategies and proven techniques to help individuals “shoot their shot” in their respective fields, land the deal and secure opportunities.

“I launched Lawyer Stories in July 2017 because I wanted to share the incredible stories of those in the legal profession. When I talk to other lawyers I often find myself not asking them about their cases, but rather about their inspiration and motivation along the way to becoming attorneys, challenges they have encountered and their views about the law and life.

For the past few years, I have shared thousands of stories from lawyers and law students across the globe. It has been an honor to speak with so many of you and I truly look forward to sharing more of the incredible journeys to the practice of law. I invite you to explore the many Lawyer Stories on our Instagram page and on our YouTube channel. Thank you for your support of the official Lawyer Stories community featuring lawyers and law students worldwide!”

“I’m Lauren Bercuson, the attorney behind Storylock Legal. As a passionate advocate for innovators and entrepreneurs, I’m tapping my extensive years of experience to secure your business future with a legally sound foundation you can continually build on.

Legal support doesn’t have to feel daunting or dull. Think of me as your collaborative legal concierge, crafting a custom experience delivered with honesty, humility, and a little bit of fun.

Website

https://www.storylocklegal.com

Dequeishia started Prude Legacy Law Group because she believe sin doing things differently. She is from from Blytheville, Arkansas, and her journey from studying philosophy to practicing law has been all about making a real difference. She has worked everywhere, from corporate offices to federal courts, and now, she is all about using that experience to help you start businesses, get out of debt, and create estate plans that stand the test of time. She is here to meet you wherever you are in life – let’s make your legacy a lasting one.

Website

https://prudelegacylaw.com/