Kelly Bagla: Award-Winning Corporate Attorney Empowering Entrepreneurs Worldwide
The 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2024
In a world hungry for legal expertise, Kelly is the trailblazing corporate and business attorney revolutionizing the entrepreneurial journey. With a stellar international reputation, she has redefined legal counsel, igniting success for both domestic and global clients for over 17 groundbreaking years.
Fueling her clients’ ambitions, Kelly’s unwavering dedication lies in crafting the perfect legal blueprint to launch, navigate, and scale business’s. She brings forth the essential elements of the right legal structure and contracts, empowering entrepreneurs to manifest their visions on solid legal foundations.
Beyond her legal prowess, Kelly’s literary genius shines through four transformative books, enlightening readers with her exceptional insight. A true luminary in her field, she stands adorned with accolades from prestigious publications, lauding her remarkable achievements, innovative strategies, and unyielding resolve to uplift business owners.
From England to Entrepreneurial Lawyer
Kelly, originally from England, obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration and international relations from California State University, Hayward, after moving to the United States. She then pursued a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wales, Swansea, and a Master of Laws from Whittier Law School.
She commenced her legal career at a prominent Fortune-500 global biotechnology company in California, where she managed legal affairs for more than 30 international subsidiaries. Following her graduation from law school, she joined the largest international law firm worldwide, providing counsel to both domestic and international clients on matters related to corporate and securities issues. Eventually, after gaining valuable experience at these esteemed organizations, she made the decision to establish her own law firm.
Personalized Legal Services with a Human Touch
Becoming an attorney has always been Kelly’s lifelong dream. As she gained more experience in the legal field, she discovered her unique ability to connect with clients on a deeper level, something that many attorneys struggle to do.
One of the main motivations behind her decision to establish her own firm was witnessing firsthand the negative experiences that clients often had with their lawyers. This troubled her deeply, as she wanted to distance herself from the reputation that some attorneys have for exhibiting manipulative behavior. Kelly was determined to provide a distinctly positive experience for her clients, fostering long-lasting relationships built on trust, transparency, and respect.
Kelly takes great pride in the exceptional customer service her firm offers. She has assembled a team of highly respectful professionals who engage with clients not only on matters of business but also on a personal level. Kelly understands that creating an open and friendly environment encourages clients to freely discuss both professional and personal aspects of their lives which aids in the amiable company culture.
Learning from Experience and Embracing Leadership
Kelly gained invaluable knowledge and insights from her previous jobs, as well as from the diverse range of clients she had the privilege of working with. Each client brought a unique set of circumstances, making every interaction a distinctive learning experience. Through her work, she had the opportunity to assist numerous clients, handle and oversee countless legal documents, and develop a practical understanding of the challenges people encounter in business. The lessons she learned from these experiences have directly contributed to her ability to effectively manage clients in her own firm and prioritize important aspects such as delivering seamless and efficient customer service.
Furthermore, Kelly embraced the opportunity to learn from both her own mistakes and those of her colleagues. Her roles in those companies shaped her into a leader who values empathy and vulnerability, while also commanding the deep respect of those she chooses to work with. She believes in striking a balance that is essential for an esteemed leader, and she feels she is steadily approaching that ideal equilibrium.
Empowering Real Estate Investors
Kelly has observed that real estate investors often encounter legal challenges that they are unaware of and therefore unprepared for. It can be difficult to anticipate and address issues that are not recognized as potential threats. As a legal professional, Kelly takes on the role of educating real estate investors about legal aspects they may be unfamiliar with. By increasing their awareness, she empowers them to develop effective strategies to overcome these challenges and find successful resolutions.
Staying Informed and Sharing Knowledge
To remain well-informed about developments in business and real estate law, Kelly takes classes every year to stay informed about the ever-changing laws and to maintain her license. Attorneys must excel in these classes and in order to pass they must demonstrate that they are knowledgeable and have a deep understanding of the laws. They are also required to take a test every year to further prove that they have a deep understanding of the laws.
Additionally, Kelly adopts a diligent reading habit. She consistently immerses herself in news articles and listens to podcasts that delve into the latest changes in these legal fields. In the real estate industry, there is a constant exchange of information and knowledge, making it relatively easy to stay updated by actively listening and learning.
Kelly maintains ongoing communication with her clients, ensuring that she promptly informs them of any significant changes that could impact their businesses. Additionally, she has her own podcast and blog where she discusses various business-related topics and addresses common questions that people may have. Through these platforms, she shares valuable insights and contributes to the dissemination of legal information in the business community.
Exceptional Team, Community Engagement, and Entrepreneurial Support
In addition to offering a flat rate fee and international services, what sets Kelly apart is her exceptional team. They prioritize dedicating ample time to each client, ensuring that everyone receives timely and attentive care. Whether it’s through phone calls, emails, or direct messages, they make themselves available wherever their clients need them. The team’s approach is centered around treating each client in a manner they have always envisioned from a law firm. They take the time to understand the client’s business, build a personal connection, and delve into the specific challenges they are facing.
Kelly’s endeavors extend beyond her law firm, as she also operates two other businesses aimed at assisting entrepreneurs in starting, running, and growing their ventures. She leverages these businesses to host speaking engagements, workshops, and networking events. Clients are warmly invited to participate in these gatherings, fostering a strong sense of community around her firm. By owning three interconnected businesses, Kelly fosters robust community ties that many other law firms lack, creating a supportive and collaborative environment for her clients.
Strategic and Client-Centric Approach
Kelly prioritizes her clients’ needs by starting with a thorough understanding of those needs are. She engages in comprehensive discussions with each client, learning about their goals, pain points, and concerns. Armed with this information, she collaborates with them to construct a strategic legal framework that serves as a guide throughout their business’s legal lifecycle®. This framework ensures that clients are aware of their goals and establishes a realistic timeline for achieving them.
Kelly fosters an environment of open communication, encouraging clients to express their thoughts and opinions, even if they disagree with her. She recognizes that healthy client-attorney relationships involve constructive discussions. She assures clients that their opinions are valued and that she is receptive to hearing their perspectives. Kelly’s commitment extends beyond completing the necessary legal work; she considers her job unfinished until her clients are genuinely satisfied with the outcomes.
Keys to Success
For individuals looking to embark on the journey of starting a business or venturing into real estate investment, Kelly emphasizes the importance of knowing one’s goals and priorities. Taking the time to figure out what you truly want to achieve is essential.
In addition to defining goals, Kelly advises aspiring entrepreneurs and investors to listen to the right people. Seeking guidance from experienced individuals who have already walked the path you are about to embark on can provide invaluable insights.
Continuing education is another crucial aspect emphasized by Kelly. To thrive in business and real estate, it’s essential to constantly learn and stay updated on industry trends and best practices.
Courage, dedication, and planning are key attributes necessary for starting any new business venture. It takes courage to take calculated risks and step out of your comfort zone. Dedication and commitment are vital to see your vision through, especially during challenging times. A solid plan acts as a roadmap, guiding your actions and helping you stay on track toward your goals.
Vision for the Future of the Legal Industry
Kelly’s vision for the future of the legal industry revolves around maintaining a strong focus on customer service. She recognizes that providing exceptional customer service is crucial for the success of any business. By consistently delivering top-tier service, a law firm can establish a robust community and a solid reputation. Positive word-of-mouth recommendations alone can sustain the firm through both favorable and challenging times.
Kelly also anticipates that the legal industry will embrace new technologies to enhance efficiency. Currently, law firms spend significant amounts of time on tasks such as answering questions, communicating with potential clients, and sending follow-up messages. However, automation can revolutionize these processes. By implementing automated systems, certain aspects of the business can be streamlined, saving several hours each week. Kelly’s firm is actively working on setting up such automations, allowing them to allocate more time for direct communication with clients.