Ashley Myers Jackson '09
Taking Legal Practice to the People
Feb. 1, 2020
Meet Ashley Myers Jackson '09, the owner of Myers Jackson Law Firm, LLC, a mobile law firm in Columbia, South Carolina, that focuses on the areas of estate planning, probate and real estate law. A true southern girl, Ashley had no intention of moving north; however, after a weekend visit at Toledo Law, she decided to make the move. She was an involved student with plans to return to the south upon graduation.
Following law school, Ashley returned to South Carolina, her home state, and began practicing with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., a corporate firm in Columbia. Although she learned a lot while there, she did not feel that the corporate space was a good fit for her. Ashley found she preferred more personal interaction and enjoyed providing direct support and assistance to people. In 2017, she started Myers Jackson Law Firm and has taken her practice to the people — literally.
Having a mobile practice allows her to be in touch with individuals who prefer a more comfortable environment than an attorney's office or who require more flexible hours than 9 to 5. Additionally, being mobile allows her to reach people all across South Carolina, not just those located in Columbia.
Ashley earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Spelman College and a law degree from The University of Toledo College of Law.
In April 2020, Ashley was featured in UToledo's Alumni eMagazine with an additional update on how she's adapted her mobile practice to address COVID-19 restrictions.
Q&A with Ashley Myers Jackson
Why did you choose to come to Toledo Law?
Honestly, Toledo Law chose me long before I was sold on it. As a South Carolina native
who had spent the majority of my life in the south, I had never heard of Toledo Law
prior to applying. I applied for law school through the LSAC website and stumbled
upon Toledo Law during my application process. Being as frugal as I am, I applied
to every school that waived their application fee, and Toledo Law happened to be one
of them. After receiving my acceptance letter, I did a little research and realized
that Toledo Law ranked as one of the top law schools in the nation. So, I decided
to take the 11-hour drive from South Carolina to visit the school and the area. During
my visit, I met several students who spoke highly of the program, and from that point
forward, I was sold!
Was your plan always to return to South Carolina?
My plan was to return to the south, but it really was not my plan to return to South
Carolina. However, life has a funny way of placing you where you need to be. Being
back home has allowed me to give back to the community that raised me, and I take
great pleasure in that.
What were the turning points in your education and career that led you to where you
are now?
Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to practice law. So, my entire educational
journey was geared towards that. My biggest turning point happened once I began practicing
with a corporate firm in Columbia, S.C. Working in the corporate sector helped me
grow and mature by revealing to me those things that were not for me. During that
time, I learned that my personality is geared more towards helping people on a more
personal level. I also learned that I am at my best when I can be authentic and true
to myself. I found that the corporate space did not allow me the freedom I needed
to be myself. That realization set things in motion and propelled me to where I am
today.
What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer?
The thing I enjoy most about being a lawyer is my ability to help other lawyers grow
their careers. As lawyers, oftentimes, we love to highlight our ability to help our
clients. However, I truly enjoy the fact that I am able to provide up and coming lawyers
with a starting point for their careers. I understand that the corporate space is
not for everyone, and I am most thankful that my firm offers opportunities to young
lawyers who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a lawyer?
The most challenging aspect of being a lawyer is finding and maintaining work-life
balance. In addition to owning my own law practice, I am a wife and the mother of
four children (three of which are 3 years old and younger). My days begin very early
and end very late. There are days that I have very little, if any, interaction with
my children. However, I understand that building my firm and my legacy will benefit
my family in the long run. So, I welcome this challenge with open arms.
You have a unique business model where you actually travel to the homes of your clients.
You call yourself a mobile attorney with a mobile practice. How did you develop this
plan/concept?
I stumbled upon this business model in 2017, shortly after giving birth to my now
3-year-old. I was looking for flexible work that I could take on periodically while
caring for my baby. In addition to providing estate plans for a few clients, I ended
up partnering with a real estate law firm as a mobile attorney to conduct loan closings
at the borrowers' homes. I was meeting with people every day, and that side of my
business was flourishing.
It did not take long for me to realize that the mobile attorney concept could be applied to my entire business. My goal had always been to reach as many people as possible. So, instead of opening offices in multiple areas, I decided to build out the mobile attorney concept and tailor it to fit my firm's specific needs. Since implementing the mobile attorney concept, my clientele has increased significantly.
What suggestions do you have for current law students and new lawyers who might be
interested in this type of practice?
The best advice I would offer a law student or new lawyer interested in working as
a mobile attorney is to be flexible and learn to roll with the punches because things
will happen that will throw you off course. Also, develop great social skills and
understand how to connect with potential clients as people love conducting business
with relatable people who make them feel comfortable.
What do you do to break away from work and relax?
Honestly managing my law practice and my home life leaves very little time for relaxing.
However, I enjoy spending my free moments with my husband and children. Oftentimes
I mix work and fun. On the weekends that I travel to meet clients, my husband and
children will tag along. After I am done working, we find a fun activity to do together.
I love creating memories with them.
Do you have a favorite memory from attending Toledo Law?
I have many great memories from my time at Toledo Law, especially the time I spent
with my friends. However, one of my favorite memories is from the first semester of
my 1L year in Professor Beth Eisler's contract class. One of the first cases we discussed
in law school was the landmark case, Lucy v. Zehmer, in which two drunk guys make a contract on a bar napkin to sell a farm. Given that
it was the beginning of the first semester most people in my class had read the case.
However, one guy in my class thought he could discuss the case without Professor Eisler knowing that he did not read it. His discussion of the case was great, but he kept referring to the Zehmer farm as the "Zebra Farm". Finally, Professor Eisler asked him what Zebra farm he was referencing. Needless to say, his little secret was out. What I love most about this memory is Professor Eisler's response. She never raised the issue that he clearly had not read the case, but her final exam was based on a fact pattern about a Zebra Farm...she even managed to find a picture of a zebra farm! Rest in Power, Professor Eisler.
How did Toledo Law prepare you for your legal career?
Toledo Law did an amazing job of preparing me for the bar exam and introducing me
to the practical side of the legal profession. Every final exam I took at Toledo Law
included a bar-style essay and numerous multiple choice questions. This conditioning
over the course of those three years made studying and sitting for the bar exam much
easier for me than some of my peers who had never been introduced to the format of
test taking. Also, while attending Toledo Law, I participated in legal clinics that
allowed me to experience the practice of law prior to being licensed. That practical
experience was helpful in the transition from law school to the practice of law.
What are you passionate about?
I am most passionate about servicing and giving back to the community that made me
who I am today. One of my goals is to educate my community, specifically the African-American
community, on the importance of building and protecting generational wealth through
estate planning. My goal is to provide a more holistic approach to estate planning
that goes beyond a simple Will and one or two term life insurance policies (which
is what I’ve found most people believe is a complete estate plan). I want to inspire
people to explore and use other vehicles of estate planning. Ultimately, my goal is
to shift the conversation from life-ending discussions to life-changing discussions
to ensure the sustainability and security of future generations.
Share something you want Toledo Law alumni to know about you.
I want Toledo Law alumni to know that I absolutely enjoy being a mompreneur. I love
being able to balance the two most important things to me (my family and my business)
with each other. It's challenging, but so rewarding.
What was the best advice someone gave you-this can be work or personal advice?
The best advice I have ever received is to be true to who I am. Every person is born
with a unique style and personality. Remaining true to yourself, regardless of the
environment or situation, is your gift to yourself and to the world.