“We know that there are countless books, manuals, guides, and even talks that address balancing each aspect of one’s life, be it personal, professional, spiritual, etc. I find that many of them are geared toward those who believe that the personal and the professional are fundamentally at odds with one another. In fact, most have been conditioned to accept that we must resign ourselves to the idea that one will necessarily prevent the other from thriving or that one cannot flourish except at the fatal expense of the other.

“The ASA Way is distinct in that, instead, it strives to foster an environment in which all areas of your life can prosper in a symbiotic relationship. Personally, I have found that the key to that is in the way we work and grow as one team in the workplace. I recall working as an associate attorney not long ago in another small firm where I was told that competition with your teammates is the way to get ahead, is a good thing, and can be exciting. Conveniently omitted from this bad advice is that it harbors toxic energy that ultimately manifests in nothing more than resentment.

“The ASA Way, however, does actually endorse competition—competition with oneself. To be better than you were yesterday as opposed to, for example, just bitter at your colleague. We seek to serve as inspirations rather than obstructions to each other. This source of support translates to positive alignment in all aspects of our lives. And all this means that we can better care for our clients, for each other, and for ourselves.”

Attorney
ASA Law Group, California

“I had worked at other law firms prior to joining ASA Law Group; my workplace experiences at these other firms were the reason I ran toward ASA, hoping that the work culture really would be different there. The reason I was fleeing these prior firms was because toxic workplace dynamics had become the norm, causing division between employees. I left my first firm hoping for better; I thought maybe it was just that first firm’s environment that was detrimental to productivity and my personal well-being, but sadly I was wrong. Staff and attorneys at the next firm were at opposition, and even within that dichotomy there was an inner circle that could not be penetrated without seniority. It became increasingly clear to me how this system played out for the peons when I was bullied by a peer, a grown woman, but the incident was brushed aside by my supervisor and deemed merely a joke. This was normal? This was going to be my day-to-day? I had to leave, as I could not accept the fact that every firm was run like this.

“I have never once felt unheard or unsupported since beginning work for ASA Law Group. The ASA Way values the individual team member. Each employee has a vital role, and there is not an us-versus-them mentality. We are one team. Communication and collaboration are encouraged and celebrated. You have a support system in place with managers, team leads, and an owner who understands we are human; some days we need more from each other than others, and that’s okay. Knowing you have this support system changes not only your workdays but also your mindset. You no longer have the “Sunday scaries.” Each obstacle put before you is solvable because you are given the tools to succeed, while also feeling valued in your role. The ASA Way makes you want to perform better and work harder for your company as an employee. I want my company to succeed, not only for my own personal and professional growth and the development of our firm, but also so I never have to go back to work for another toxic workplace again. I now have friends telling me they want what I have; they want happiness and support at their job. Employees are ready and in need of a change from the old workplace dynamics that stifle progress and success in an office setting. I hope more companies will be willing to give the ASA Way approach a chance. Your staff will thank you, perform for you, and be happy to go that extra mile when it’s needed.”

Beth Kelly
Director of Operations, ASA Law Group

“A wise woman (my mother) once told me to surround myself with people who talk about ideas and visions, not other people. In my youth, that never really landed. In adulthood, it’s proven to be a benchmark in my life. When I am in either professional or personal environments, I always fall back on this. As an employee, I could never really find a place where I felt as though my work environment bettered me or enriched my life. It simply boiled down to being better than the competition. An adult game of “Keeping Up with the Joneses.” My career quickly morphed into a joyless meal ticket to pay my bills and make ends meet.

“Then I ran into an old coworker who had branched off and started his own firm. Luckily for me, he was hiring. From the first interview, I could tell ASA Law Group would be different. It prioritized the individual worker. More so, it valued the personal values of each individual worker. From my first day on the job, I can honestly say that my firm cares more about me, my family, and my mental well-being than about me as the worker or employee. Year after year, I experience constant check-ins. Real check-ins—not the ones that follow an HR script. My schedule is always accommodated when possible, and I am trusted to do my job without interference. If I need something, I have a safe and transparent environment to ask for it. My colleagues have become not just friends, but family.

“I never thought I would be able to find a work environment that enriched me as a person. However, ASA has not only made me a better worker but an overall better human. I am happy to come to work and (hopefully) pay the same in kind to my peers. We are a progressive, out-of-the-box firm that will never stop evolving and progressing to be better. I am proud just to be a working part of such an organization.”

Attorney
ASA Law Group, Illinois

“My career as an attorney changed completely when I came to ASA. I had previously worked at more traditional firms, focused almost solely on performance and metrics. I always assumed that the burnout was a rite of passage in the legal field, but I still hoped to practice in an environment where I could grow as a person, not just as a lawyer. When the opportunity came to work at ASA, it was time to find out if there was a better way.

“Coming to ASA and experiencing the ASA Way as a leadership style proved that there was a different and better method to both legal practice and business management. Of course, efficiency and output are still put in high regard; a business cannot thrive without results and productivity. But the ASA Way focuses more deeply on the individual, fostering personal growth and well-being while simultaneously harvesting professional success. Since working at ASA, I truly feel this philosophy has inspired me not only to become a better lawyer and to want to master my craft but also to become a more well-rounded and holistic person. The ASA Way has the ability to change the legal field as we know it and beyond.”

Attorney
ASA Law Group, Illinois