Betsy Holton recently opened her independent law firm in the 550 Building on Water Street. Her grand opening is slated for Wednesday.
LUCKY CHARM?
Holton’s practice is situated on the 13th floor.
WHY LOCATE IN THE
550 BUILDING?
“The new courthouse will be a few blocks away, the rent is ridiculously affordable and I wanted a downtown address for the accessibility. Image is everything. When they see a downtown address, they know you mean business. That’s just how the game is played.”
WHERE DID SHE LEARN
THE TRADE?
“I started at the Public Defender’s Office in Volusia County. I commuted [from Jacksonville]. Finally, I was moved to the 7th Circuit in St. Augustine where I worked until last July.”
WHEN DID SHE
BECOME LICENSED?
June 2001.
WHY HANG OUT HER
OWN SHINGLE?
“Prior to law school, and while attending, I worked in law offices as a paralegal or legal secretary. I felt I had a little more experience than the average graduate because I had actually done hands-on work. It was a little difficult working for other attorneys that felt because they had been practicing longer than me, that they know so much more. Granted, they do but at that point, we’re somewhat equals. I didn’t want to work 80 hours a week as a grunt because I’d already been a grunt. I wanted something more challenging. If I was at a big firm, I wouldn’t be practicing law. I would have been stuck doing research, glorified paralegal work. I’m probably not making as much money, but I am much happier. I actually work less than if I was working for someone else. Plus, I have time for myself.”
WHAT IS HER SPECIALTY?
“Mine is a general practice, but I am trying to slowly streamline into family law, probate and estate planning. Outside of the Public Defender’s Office, my experience prior to graduating was in those areas. I want my practice to be based around everyday, practical things that happen to end up in court. Because I worked for the Public Defender’s Office, I still handle a little more criminal law than I’d like to. It’s easy because the referral base is there. Once you defend one case, they tell their friends.”
WHAT IS HER INTEREST IN THESE THREE?
“I feel I have a good grasp on it and my abilities to relate well with people when they’re having problems. Those are some of the reasons I wanted to continue family law. My experience is that there are not a whole lot of family lawyers out there that enjoy family law. They just do it because it’s good money. I do it because people have issues and it’s a good opportunity to help educate people. The majority of my family is in the education field. As far as probate and estate planning, I don’t know that many people take the time to do something as simple as drafting a will. It becomes an ordeal to deal with property issues after the grieving process. I want to educate people that it can be painless if I plan it for them.”
ROOTS
Holton was born in Mississippi and grew up in New Orleans. She moved here from Atlanta.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Holton’s claim to fame is that she introduced the Black Pages, a directory of African-American businesses, to the community. “It was a big thing in Atlanta. I thought it might be a neat idea to bring here. It was a tough reception up front and that pushed me into law school. I took me a year to figure out what I was going to do with myself. I was bored with sales [of the Black Pages] and wasn’t making any money.”
HAVE SHE EVER WORKED IN ANOTHER FIELD?
“I’ve done tons of customer service and have an insurance background in claims. I’m licensed in life, health and annuities. The insurance part helps me with the probate planning aspects of setting up an estate. Working with financial planners in town has forced me to do that [for herself]. I also sold cable door-to-door for Continental [now ComCast].”
HOW IS IT REWARDING?
“I really enjoy having clients come to me with an issue, knowing that what happened to them was not right and them wanting justice. I’ve been pretty successful with that. There’s no feeling like getting your clients what they expected.”
WHAT CHALLENGES
DOES SHE FACE?
“Learning it all. The thing I regret about being on my own is I don’t have a mentor. That’s difficult. It takes up a lot of time, leaving me not as productive.”
HOW BIG IS HER BUSINESS?
“I have one assistant and hope to have a paralegal by the fall. I just signed a contract with LMO America prepaid legal services. So far it has not been too overwhelming, but it will probably pick up. I would like to hire someone [another attorney] from my alma mater.”
WHERE DID SHE GO
TO SCHOOL?
Florida Coastal School of Law. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spellman College.
WHY MAJOR IN ECONOMICS?
“I thought about becoming a stockbroker. Then the insider trading scandals broke.”
FAMILY
Holton and her husband Leonard, a JEA technology trainer, have two daughters, Michele and Sydne [pronounced Sydney]. They live on the Northside.
HOBBIES?
Depending on her mood, Holton may be reading, putting together arts and crafts, listening to jazz music or tuning into “The Wire” on HBO. Her favorite distraction is bowling. Her average is 145 and at a tournament recently in Biloxi, Miss., she finished eighth.
WHO DOES SHE
ADMIRE MOST?
“Susan Taylor, managing editor of Essence magazine. It is the most widely circulated African-American magazine and she’s almost single-handedly responsible for it. I admire people who can accomplish their goals and make a difference, even if it’s in a subtle way.”
— by Monica Chamness