Marcella Perry opened her own law firm in February.
WHAT TYPE OF LAW DOES SHE PRACTICE?
Elder law, which includes Medicaid and long-term care planning, probate, guardianship and estate planning. “And I’ve just started family law because I’ve seen a real need for that. I stayed with elder law at first because it was my comfort zone, but now I’m expanding to include these other areas.”
WHERE IS HER OFFICE?
Perry is currently working from her home, but is looking for space on the Northside. “Being mobile is very helpful for my clients since many of them are in nursing homes or unable to get around easily. I want to provide the most convenient service I can. I answer my phone 24-hours a day and I plan on retaining that mobility once I have my own office.”
HER STORY
Perry worked as a paralegal for 12 years at Berge & Associates, an elder law firm. She decided to get her law degree and continued to work part-time while attending law school. “I always wanted to be an attorney for people who couldn’t afford attorneys. The satisfaction and gratification that comes from helping someone means more to me than the money.” She graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in May 2002 and passed the bar exam last summer. She worked briefly at another law firm before going into business for herself in February.
WHO ARE HER CLIENTS?
“I have a lot of guardianships. I have a good mixture for just starting out. I have 19 clients right now.”
FUTURE PLANS
Perry plans to maintain her sole practioner status, but would like to hire a support staff when she opens her new office. “I want to remain on my own because I never want to be too busy that I lose a personal approach.” She’ll be admitted to practice in Federal Court in June and will sit for the Georgia bar exam in February. In August, she’ll go back to school part-time to get a sign language interpreter’s degree — a language she’s studied since attending FCCJ. “I have a deaf client and I would love to be able to communicate directly that way.” Perry says certification will take about two years.
FAMILY
Perry has two children. Her daughter Candace, is eight, and son Gabriel just turned seven. She is engaged to Ronald Taylor.
IN HER SPARE TIME
Not that there’s much of it, but Perry enjoys fishing, watching sports — football and NASCAR are favorites — and playing softball.
— by Bailey White