We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Woodworth and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chelsea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Working a traditional job became too much for me for various reasons. I needed more flexibility in my life.
I love to travel, but it was always difficult to take time off while working for a traditional employer. Working for myself provides me the freedom of being in control of my own schedule. I have the ability to work mostly from home and only go into my office when I am meeting with clients. I can also handle my clients’ cases on my terms, versus on someone else’s terms.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the sole proprietor of East Valley Legal, my legal document preparation/paralegal business, and I am a Partner at AZ Legal Services, which is a Legal Paraprofessional business. Running both businesses is not easy.
East Valley Legal was created so that people who wish to handle their own cases or cannot afford to hire someone to represent them, can hire me to prepare their legal documents. I also provide paralegal contract services to law firms.
AZ Legal Services is for individuals who require legal advice or representation for family law or limited jurisdiction civil matters. I am a Legal Paraprofessional (LP), not an attorney, who can represent clients who are dealing with family law issues, with a few exceptions, or clients who need assistance with civil issues in justice or municipal court.
The LP license is a brand new license in Arizona. I am one of the first people to earn this license in family law. I am the first person to earn a limited jurisdiction civil license and the first person to earn a dual license (family law and limited jurisdiction civil). An LP is likened to a nurse practitioner in the legal field. An LP can handle various types of legal issues in the area that they are licensed in, with some restrictions. Explaining this new license has been my biggest hurdle.
My goal was to create businesses to help people dealing with difficult legal issues at any stage of the process. I want to alleviate as much stress as possible for each client by completing the work quickly and in the most cost-effective way.
Most law firms seem to have a one-size-fits-all mentality. By creating both businesses, I provide various types of legal service options to fit each individual’s needs and budget. Some individuals only need help with legal documents, that is where East Valley Legal can help. Other individuals may need legal advice, direction, or someone to represent them, that is where AZ Legal Services can help.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friends live outside of Buffalo, NY. One of them has not had a chance to visit me yet. If she came for a visit, we would plan her visit around going to a concert. I have attended various types of concerts at various venues and the valley has some excellent concert venues.
One of the best parts of living in the valley is the wide variety of food. I, unfortunately, have several food allergies, but living in such a diverse area makes it really easy to find somewhere for me to eat.
I would also take her kayaking at Lake Pleasant and hiking on South Mountain.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents have been the best teachers and they are always supportive. I know that no matter what, my parents will have my back. My domestic partner, Ryan, has been nothing but amazing during this transition to self-employment. I would not be able to be self-employed without his support.
I would also like to give a shoutout to Lisa, who was my boss for my first job out of college. She was an amazing mentor and so patient with this overeager recent college graduate. Britt and Kelly were the first paralegals I worked with when I interned at their firm. They were both amazing and taught me so much about the field. Without them, I am not sure if I would still be in the legal field.
Website: www.evlegalaz.com
Instagram: @evlegalaz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-woodworth-lp
Facebook: https://facebook.com/evlegalaz
Image Credits
Photographs of me are by: Sage and Honey Photography