Today we’d like to introduce you to L.A. Williams, Esq.
Hi L.A., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story with Legal and Abroad® started in 2018 when I was thinking of a business concept. I prayed to God for over a year, and the name came to me in November 2019. I desired to blend my love for travel with my background in law. On January 1, 2020, I officially launched Legal and Abroad® initially as a law, travel, and lifestyle blog, just a fun way to document my life experiences as a lawyer exploring the world, sharing personal and captivating stories, and connecting with others who also wanted to balance work with adventure.
I desired to show others, especially women, that it is possible to overcome obstacles, be successful, and still have room to pursue your passions. You can indeed have it all. It was a fascinating time because I had many plans, trips, and things to look forward to, personally and professionally. However, the pandemic happened two months later, and the world shut down. I learned my first lesson in entrepreneurship: How to pivot when things do not go as planned and you have no control over it.
At the time, it was equally frustrating and heartbreaking that things were not falling into place as planned or how quickly I wanted them to. However, those moments were necessary for my personal and professional growth. During this time, I was pushed to focus on the core vision that I wanted Legal and Abroad® to embody, get clear on my purpose, and be aligned with what God wanted me to do with my business. In hindsight, I am so grateful for the pivot that included peaks and pits, delays, and roadblocks as I built my brand.
I learned those moments were also a blessing in disguise. I was able to shape Legal and Abroad® into something authentic that focuses on what I truly care about. I am grateful for this journey because my resiliency has given my business a strong foundation for helping others succeed and bringing their visions to life. Despite the challenges, I am so blessed that everything worked itself out and came together just as intended.
As I began traveling again, I kept meeting people with these fantastic ideas who needed help navigating the legal side of things, predominantly minority and women-owned businesses. I saw how hard they worked and how much they needed someone to have their back, especially with all the legal hoops they had to jump through to protect their brands. That is when I knew I wanted Legal and Abroad® to be more than just a blog; I wanted it to be a natural resource to help these entrepreneurs turn their dreams into something lasting.
More recently, Legal and Abroad® has expanded its focus to helping clients, small businesses, and women and minority-owned businesses protect what they have built through contract work, trademark support, or just being there to guide them through the legal jargon that often feels overwhelming. This is more than a transaction; it is a genuine partnership. I am passionate about making sure my clients feel empowered, protected, and confident, and it is gratifying to know I am helping people build something meaningful. I am so grateful and proud of the community trust I have built quickly by becoming a resource for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark with their respective brands, whether just starting or expanding.
In my personal life, I am really dedicated to building a lifestyle that is rich in quality experiences. I desire to create a fulfilling life on every level. Family is essential to me, and I prioritize it. Additionally, I want my son to grow up with memories of traveling the world, meeting amazing people, being exposed to different cultures, and seeing that success does not mean sacrificing the things you love. You can have everything: family, love, success, and wealth. We explore together, and I show him what is possible when you constantly keep God first and stay true to your dreams. I hope he takes those treasured memories and carries that legacy if he chooses to have a family one day.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of Legal and Abroad®. I plan to reach more people, build partnerships, and be a resource for entrepreneurs who need a trusted partner who truly understands their vision and is in their corner. Through Legal and Abroad®, I hope to inspire others to build lives that reflect their authentic selves, protect their dreams, travel the world, and live audaciously wherever those dreams may lead them.
Grab your bag, and let’s go!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To say this has been a smooth road would be grossly understated. Like any journey when building a brand from scratch, there will be peaks and pits along the way. The hardest part is getting started. Once I took that first step, everything unfolded as intended, even if some of those ways were unconventional.
Legal and Abroad® initially began as a law, travel, and lifestyle blog for a lawyer who is always on the go. (Grab your bag, and let’s go!). Through my travels, I have connected with some of the most incredible people worldwide and have experienced many thrill-seeking adventures. However, I choose to share some of my travels, and the others I keep to myself for my memory treasure chest. I have always had a heart for helping people and wanted to do more than tell my story and write travel stories. I desired to help others tell their stories and ensure their brand was legally protected.
In 2021, I took a much-needed hiatus and had to refocus on many things, personally and professionally. I gave myself grace and took much-needed time to figure out how to move forward. I had yet to learn that Legal and Abroad® would turn into what it is today. I decided to trust God, let go of what I initially thought my business should be like, and allow my business to transform into something better than I could have imagined. To go from a travel and lifestyle blog to an entire legal business is still mind-blowing.
To be honest, at one point, I was unsure if I was even on the right path, and sometimes, it was discouraging. During my hiatus, I solo traveled the world in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In October 2023, God led me back to blogging. In April 2024, God led me back to Legal and Abroad® with a different approach. In October 2024, I relaunched and rebranded Legal and Abroad®, offering legal services. I had already been doing this work on the side, but officially making it part of my business was a huge (and somewhat scary) decision.
The hardest part is balancing time with my family and other obligations, including being a businesswoman and an attorney. I had moments where I was stretched thin and doubted myself. I had to recenter myself in those moments and focus on the bigger picture, even if I could not see how things would unfold.
There were moments when I had cancellations, setbacks, delays, and unexpected financial expenses. I felt as if I would get a step ahead and then get knocked back ten steps. Through those struggles, I had to trust God, have faith, and trust the process. I just wanted to make sure Legal and Abroad® was built on a solid foundation. I also credit my phenomenal village and support system. I am truly blessed.
Today, I cannot say it is perfect. Equally, I am happy and grateful to be in this space. The road I traveled and the obstacles I overcame helped me build a brand that has created an impactful legacy. It brings me joy to help others protect what they are creating.
Sometimes, life takes you on a detour to bring you exactly where you need to be at the perfect time. I am passionate about helping others build and protect their brands. This journey has made me resilient, helped me use my voice when I strongly believe in something, and empowered me in my decisions. I have stayed true to my purpose and am grateful to God for that.
As you know, we’re big fans of Legal and Abroad®, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Legal and Abroad®, we focus on helping entrepreneurs protect their dreams through trademark and contract services. Primarily, we work with minority and women-owned businesses. From firsthand experience, I understand how crucial it is to protect your vision while bringing it to life. I am passionate about ensuring these businesses’ legal foundations are solid so that my clients can focus on their business and passions to excel without worrying about legal hiccups.
What I love most about Legal and Abroad® is that we focus on a personal connection with each client. “What is your story?” “What is your vision and the goals you have for your business?” “How can we bring that to life and effectively protect your ideas?” I am not here just to do transactional assignments for trademarks or drafting/reviewing contracts. I am genuinely invested as a partner on their journey. It is essential for me to know each client on a deeper level so that I can provide practical and meaningful guidance. To be transparent, it is easy for entrepreneurs to get overwhelmed with the legalities of their business. Simplifying terms in a way that is easy to understand eliminates intimidation and confusion from the process.
I am grateful and proud of my stellar reputation and the trust I have built with my clients. I am more than an attorney completing the work; I genuinely care about the goals and the success of their business. Legal and Abroad® is a brand that prides itself on that personal, approachable, and caring touch. I aim to ensure my clients feel supported, valued, and protected as they grow their business.
I want people to know that Legal and Abroad® is more than a travel blog and more than a legal service. Our brand is a safe place for entrepreneurs and creatives who desire to build a legacy. Whether you are looking to protect your brand through trademark services, guidance on your business needs, or an airtight contractual agreement, Legal and Abroad® is here to assist you on your journey.
How do you think about luck?
To be transparent, what many would consider “luck,” I would consider divine timing and blessings from God. I also ensure I am prepared to seize those opportunities as they become available, even in the most unconventional ways. As I previously stated, my journey with Legal and Abroad® has not always been smooth. There have been setbacks, tearful nights, and uncertainty. However, God was preparing me in those moments for my business to be rooted in something more profound than travel and legal services. In hindsight, those rough moments guided me to Legal and Abroad®’s destiny.
I have also been incredibly blessed with mentors who have poured into and guided me. They have instilled so much wisdom and gems in me, challenged me to become sharper and more business-savvy, and encouraged me when I doubted myself. They remind me of the woman and attorney I am and the potential of my business. Additionally, taking care of my mental health through therapy, self-care, and daily exercise allows me to pour into myself and show up better for my business and clients.
I am so grateful and blessed to meet the right clients, find unique opportunities, and be in rooms I never imagined. These moments came when I was prepared to embrace them. Staying grounded in my faith, listening to the wisdom of my mentors, and staying consistent and authentic to my purpose have helped me appreciate every opportunity God has given me.
Every step, every challenge, and every detour has been a blessing in disguise. Legal and Abroad® has been built brick by brick over the past few years, and we are still building. This keeps me grateful, determined, and motivated to continue flourishing for myself and the community Legal and Abroad® serves. I also want to give a special shout-out to my family, close friends, and village, who cheer me on in all ways, big and small. They entertained my crazy big ideas and pushed me to execute them. Their faith in me reminds me that I am not alone on this journey, and I am forever grateful to them.
One thing I learned and keep close to my chest is that when things do not go as planned (because life happens), God has a way of turning it around for your good. God is always working behind the scenes. Delay does not mean denial. Trust the process, surround yourself with uplifting people who believe in you and your dreams, and be prepared to step into those fantastic opportunities. Your time is coming; stay ready, so you do not have to get ready.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.legalandabroad.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legalandabroad
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legalandabroad
