Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Persaud.
Hi Kristina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Haha! I always love this question because the truth is–sometimes I sit and ask myself that same thing. Lol. You know we all have those moments where we look up and wonder, how the heck did I get here? And sometimes it’s sprinkled with a little self-pity–other times, we ask in awe of where we are.
My truth—I never thought I would be here. In a good way–but with some hard, isolated internal roads. I was born and raised by both biological parents in Houston, Texas. One younger sister. In Houston suburbs. I have no idea what I told the world I wanted to be when I was younger–but I quickly knew by about my middle school years that I wanted to be in a role where I could genuinely help people and in a big way. I volunteered–a lot—but it wasn’t until high school that I began to really set my sights on being a lawyer. I played collegiate volleyball at a small school in Arkansas–then went to law school at the University of Houston.
I coached volleyball briefly, then started my legal career at a mid-sized firm before going to be a Prosecutor at the Harris County DA’s office in 2012. I spent 10 years there–and then left to start my own firm.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Strategically yes. I know oftentimes the storyline is in the apparent struggle on how to build a business from scratch—but the actual logistical act of transitioning roles in my career and forming my own business was not hard for me. It was the internal s@#! that was the struggle. Lol. The letting go of society’s definition of success to define it for myself and allllllll the baggage that came with that.
The most strugglish part was trying to process the fact that—although I was successful and could give off the appearance of being happy because all of the boxes had been checked–it was okay that I still felt truly unfulfilled. Like that didn’t make me selfish or ungrateful–or unappreciative–it just made me real. And it made me realize that at the end of the day–I’m who I have to live with and live for—and if I don’t truly like it–why would it matter if anyone else did?
So–the struggle–was getting out of the realm in which I was operating for whatever reasons—be in comfort, fear, acceptance, validation—all of that—and really being okay with saying out loud what I wanted for me. And then having the audacity to actually do it.
And that truth—I wanted to be high powered and successful, but I also wanted to make a real impact in the individual lives of others—and I wanted a family–I wanted to rest—I wanted the ability to travel a little–and I wanted to my life to feel like I had options. So I had to learn to let go of a sure thing in exchange for one that was unknown to a certain extent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
K+L Daily Law is a boutique law firm that specializes in criminal defense and civil litigation. We are run and managed by our two founding attorneys. Me, Kristina Persaud, and my younger sister, Kimberly Daily.
What sets us apart: small law firm run by two sisters that were both at the top of their careers in their respective practice areas before they left the corporate and public sector to collaborate and create their own. I was a Chief Prosecutor at the Harris County DA’s office. Kim was a top associate at a huge nationwide big law firm. And we both resigned from our jobs to start our own practice in the career we love.
Brand-wise–I’m proud of what we stand for. We are people first. Not lawyers. I’m a mom. I’ve been through a divorce. Now I’m a wife. I’m blending a family. I’m a friend, a sister, a daughter. And I also just happen to be a damn good lawyer–with expertise in a world that not a lot of people with my experience and background have. And I care about people–and not just defending them when they need it legally–but encouraging them along the way.
I’m proud of the work product. The actual result. And how we deal with people. Like I said we are people first–not just a business–we are people—that built and are still building a brand–that’s it. We don’t have the expectation that others have to present a certain way with us in order to receive a quality service. At our firm–it’s literally people helping people. We are just super skilled and experts in the area that they need help in–and they pay for it. But there is no judgment–there is no certain way you have to speak–or show up–or anything. You need help because you are in a legal situation–we got you. We can relate to you. We can walk you through. ANNDDD get you a fantastic result–cause we know what we are doing–we know the game–we know the players—-we are accessible–trustworthy–and women of our word. If we say we can do it–it’s going to get done. And beautifully. And within your expectations or above–and if anything ever comes up that doesn’t align with that–we tell you. Cause we are realllllyyy good at communicating. Lol.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Faith. Family. Transparency. Gratitude. Flexibility. And most importantly–did you show up.?! Trust.
I’m in a relationship with Jesus heavy. Like me and God go together really bad. Without my faith as a strong base for me–I’d be out here just spinning around. Lol. Well– I do that sometimes anyway–but always know I have some sort of layered protection so it will all work out for my good, haha.
But in all seriousness– up until my divorce, I didn’t really think there was an alternate way or path or like method to doing life. Literally–it was go to school, do well, go to college, do well, graduate–get a good job–get married–have kids–and boom—you’ll be good to go. And then the ish was like–yeah–but I got all that and I’m still not feeling all the way full. I remember thinking to myself a lot–is it supposed to feel like this—I mean it feels okay–but still kind of empty? Then I remember convincing myself that the answer to that was yes. Because– I literally had no room for alternatives. Smh. And I surely didn’t think that success outside of the pre-orchestrated box was an option. I mean– I was raised with a fundamentally strong family unit, did well in school, played sports–had the job. So it was almost like–girl–everything that makes you “successful” is right there and you have it–how DARE you even question an alternative when your life is good?!
But I was sooooooo unfulfilled. And after years of internal struggle and overcoming insecurities and redefining expectations—what became so apparent to me was that as long as I was good with God–my family was straight–and I lived in a world where I could be real with myself first and say it out loud to other people–then that was all that mattered. That–and the fact that I still showed up. No matter how hard it got or what it looked like. I’m grateful for the little things now–the peace, the flexibility, MY TIME. health, family bonds, the ability to forgive and move on, and the ability to trust the process even when I can’t control it or don’t know how it’s going to pan out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kldailylaw.com/
- Instagram: @thekristinalauren
Image Credits
Angela Lauren Company (@angelalaurenco)
