The

Undeniable

Ruth

®

…and the Ruth shall set you free!

  • SALK Day 102: The Kelly Law Firm

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    Ruth Carter

    In honor of National Be Kind to Lawyers Day, today’s sponsor is Aaron M. Kelly, founder of The Kelly Law Firm, LLC.   The Kelly Law Firm provides comprehensive legal representation and counseling in most areas of law.  His practice areas include civil litigation, business law litigation, and criminal law.

    The stereotypical lawyer is stern and stoic.  They work in a fancy law firm and wear a business suit every day.  The stereotype also says that they are a type-A workaholic with a high risk of developing a drug addiction.  They have the reputation of being cut throat and are somewhat intimidating to be around.

    The stereotype couldn’t be further away from the approach at The Kelly Law Firm.  There the office has a more relaxed atmosphere.  Kelly has a couch and an Xbox so he can mentally recharge his batteries during the day.  He usually works in jeans.  Kelly says that 90% of his clients enjoy his approach to practicing law.  It makes him more approachable, and they are probably more comfortable around him as a result.

    Kelly is proof that a lawyer can be professional, well-respected, and thrive in this working environment.   What matters is that he performs effectively on behalf of his clients and respects them.  Communication and client satisfaction are his top priorities.  He takes the time to listen to his clients and maintain close working relationships with them.  I love that he frequently communicates with his clients via instant messenger.  It’s an innovative way to maintain open lines of communication and provide extra support to clients when they need it.

    This is not an approach that works for all clients.  Some clients need a lawyer who is stressed out and wears a suit, and that’s ok.  It’s a benefit to the profession to have lawyers with different personalities so that clients can pick someone who fits their needs.

    This morning, I was working in the Innovative Advancement Program – a legal clinic that works with entrepreneurs.  I looked out the window into the building next door and saw two men playing ping pong in their office.  They were probably computer programmers, but it made me happy to see that some people still appreciate the benefit of the simplicity of play for percolating creative thoughts and recharging the brain.

    Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsor is Aaron M. Kelly of The Kelly Law Firm, LLC.  For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.

  • It’s Official – I Have a Big Brain

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    Ruth Carter

    A few weeks ago I got a message from Jonathan McNamara of the Phoenix New Times informing me that I had been nominated and was a finalist for the 2011 Big Brain Awards.  The Big Brain Awards are annual awards give out by the New Times to exceptional and innovative people in the arts in the Phoenix community.  I never thought that I would be nominated, let alone a finalist.  The committee started with nearly 400 nominees and whittled the list down to 18 finalists, 3 in each of 6 categories.  I’m a finalist in the Performing Arts category.

    I was selected as a finalist because of my work with Improv AZ and because of Sponsor A Law Kid.  I am very excited and humbled to be nominated.  I have been blown away by the phenomenal people I’ve met in the Phoenix area in the last two years that to be singled out for my work is quite an honor.

    I will find out if I’m a Big Brain winner or just honored to be nominated this Saturday at Artopia.

    None of this could have happened without the love, support, and guidance from some special people in my life:

    There are two special people I need to single out and thank for their support and guidance.

    1. Jeff Moriarty – If it wasn’t for Jeff organizing the first No Pants Ride, none of this would have ever happened.  There wouldn’t be Improv AZ, and I wouldn’t have met most of the amazing people in my life today.  Jeff was also the person who encouraged me to become a blogger and helped make Undeniable Ruth possible.
    2. Evo Terra – Evo is one of the most outspoken and brilliant people that I know.  A few months ago I asked him how he he developed a thick skin against criticism.  He responded, “Figure out who’s opinions matter to you. Then genuinely do not give a shit what anyone else thinks.”  That is easier said than done, but those have become my guiding words when I’m against people who disagree with what I write or what I do.

    Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far.  I’m up against some phenomenal people this Saturday: Tom Leveen and Joseph Perez.  While it would be nice to win, I will be pleased regardless of the outcome.

     

     

  • Sponsor A Law Kid Update – March 22, 2011

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    Ruth Carter

    I’m 81 days into my Sponsor A Law Kid (SALK) campaign and have 127 days to go.  So far, I’ve sold 46 days to 33 people and businesses, and it’s paid for about 1/3 of this semester’s tuition.  It’s been quite a journey and I’m grateful to have been part of these people’s lives.

    When I embarked on this campaign in November, my friend basically said to put up a blog post and a Facebook page and see what happens.  I sold quite a few days right off the bat, but then things fizzled out a bit.  Over winter break, I decided to send some emails to people who might be interested in sponsoring a day.  I made a list of every product I use or businesses I patronize on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, I use mostly national brands that don’t sponsor individuals.  Then I started flipping through local publications that I read when I have the time, and I sent emails to everyone who had an ad that included an email address or website.  I would easily spend 8 hours sending emails to get 1 or 2 responses that would say “Yes.”

    One day over break I was lounging around my parents’ house when my phone rang.  It was a representative for Bashas’, a family-owned grocery store chain in the Phoenix area where I regularly shop.  They received my message about SALK and she was calling to offer me a $1,000 scholarship in lieu of sponsoring a day.  I was speechless and so touched by their generosity.

    When I returned to Phoenix, I decided to see if any of the local news stations would be interested in using SALK as news story since school would be back in session soon.  I sent an email to every news station and pitched SALK as a potential story.  I was shocked when I got a call 20 minutes later from Channel 15 asking if they could come over to do an interview to air that night.  One of the viewers that night was a woman who used to be a receptionist at the agency where I worked before law school.  I hadn’t seen her in years.  She loved the idea of SALK so much that she sponsored a day to raise awareness for soldiers with PTSD.  Somehow the Phoenix New Times heard about my campaign and featured SALK on their 365 Ideas blog.

    I had sponsorship for most of the days in January.  On the first day that didn’t have a sponsor, one of my classmates offered to sponsor it at a much reduced rate to promote a cause for him.  I admired his gumption, so I accepted the deal.

    One thing I’ve learned from SALK is that it takes more time and energy than you’d expect to write on someone’s behalf.   My sponsors trust me to write about causes that are close to their hearts, and I take these obligations seriously.  It takes considerable thought to determine the best way to accurately express their sentiments.  I am honored by the opportunity to share their stories, whether I’m writing about a rare illness, paying tribute to a loved one, or promoting someone’s passion.

    Nowadays I’m too busy to solicit sponsorship, but I’m glad when the emails pop into my inbox from people asking to sponsor a day.  Moreover, I’m always happy when I see that others are finding my sponsors because of my blog.  My only regret related to SALK is that I didn’t think of it sooner and have more time to invite people to be part of the SALK family.