Meet Melissa Koefod | Entertainment Law Attorney, Business and Lawyer Coach, and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Koefod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As an attorney and entrepreneur who has transitioned from litigation, to owning several business as once, to entertainment law and now into also helping my fellow legal professionals achieve a better work-life balance, I’ve had quite a journey with working 120 hours a week to being able to live and work wherever whenever I want (for the most part). When I started in the legal field, my life was heavily skewed towards work. I would be at the gym by 5am and in court by 7:30am. The long hours, the endless case load, and the constant pressure to perform and bill hours were my reality. There was little time for personal growth, family, or sitting down to eat.

Over time, I realized that this wasn’t sustainable. I saw colleagues burn out, and I knew I was headed in the same direction…and then, I got cancer. I was lucky to survive that fight and that is when I decided to take a step back and reevaluate my priorities. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary.

I started by setting boundaries and began to really prioritize my personal time. Gradually, I began creating efficiencies and automations in my business to create more time and focus on engaging with clients that I wanted to work with.

As I found my balance, I realized that many attorneys struggle with the same issues. That’s why I created courses specifically designed for legal professionals, focusing on practical strategies to create efficiencies and automations, and increase profits while at the same time, having more time to lead a fulfilling personal life while enjoying a successful career.

Work-life balance is not a one-size-fits-all concept. For example, for me, that may be spending a week surfing and having the flexibility to work remotely, and for others, it may mean spending time with your kids and having time for personal growth or volunteering. In all scenarios, it is about ensuring you are the best version of yourself and living according to your personal needs, while also managing your business and I think this creates an environment where your clients are also benefiting since they are getting the best version of you.

What should our readers know about your business?
Absolutely! I am an entrepreneur at heart, or rather a builder. I get a lot of joy from building businesses. Initially, after owning and selling my first business, a bar/music venue in Athens, GA, I followed the traditional path and went to law school, intending to practice law as a litigator as I had seen my father do before me. This was during the recession, so jobs were tough to come by, or at least we weren’t in a position to be as selective, and I did end up becoming a litigator. After getting diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, and during recovery, I realized that I was not happy in my job and thought it was the practice of law that made me unhappy. I had met many an unhappy attorney. At this point, after recovering from cancer out in Los Angeles where I began to produce and engineer music for myself, as well as compose lyrics and beats, I realized that my creative side wanted to come out. I grew up playing classical violin and performing in plays, so it seemed natural for me to dabble in the arts, but I was still convinced that this was a hobby. I went back into practicing law for a period of time and was still unhappy and had no time to spend with my family or on my hobbies. This is when I opened my next business, and then my next and then my next!

I acted as General Counsel and COO for my businesses. Building them was thrilling but the hours I worked were almost double what I was working as a litigator! Although I took joy in my work, I still was missing any semblance of work/life balance, not to mention sleep! Then, the unthinkable happened and forced me to stop. COVID. Everything came to a grinding halt and I was, for once, forced, as was most of the rest of the world, to just stop. This is the point that everything really came together for me. I had the drive to pursue my passions after facing my own mortality, and now, the realization that I could work from anywhere. I moved to Mexico and surfed almost every day while maintaining my business and my practice. As my business and practice became more automated and efficient, I found myself craving a connection with my artistic side as well as wanting to build something again.

Koefod Creative Counsel was born! I took my passion for music and my experience in law and combined them into an entertainment law firm focused mostly on music law and creatives! I had the knowledge to automate my practice and placed systems into the firm that allowed me time to enjoy making music which I have started to do again. I also have the opportunity to build the businesses of the musicians and artists that I represent. That led to me creating a record label, Koefod Creative, to help my artists not only build their businesses and achieve their dreams, but also to help them keep creative control over their art and destiny. I brought in an in house digital marketing arm and the business has grown exponentially.

After spending a lot of time with fellow attorneys, I realized that most attorneys are like most solo entrepreneurs, as in both have a deep understanding of the unique pressures and challenges that they face, unlike most in other professions. Having walked the path of overwork, no personal time, little pleasure in my day to day activities, and a general dissatisfaction with my career, I began to help other attorneys implement the same systems that I did so they could achieve greater business growth and personal satisfaction while regaining control over their time!

I know have added empowering attorneys to achieve the same balance I have between their professional ambitions and personal well-being to what I am blessed to do on a day to day basis. Having walked the same path has allowed me to tailor solutions to address needs that are specific to our profession.

I am proud of what I have built, what I have overcome, and how those challenges have empowered me to help others achieve their goals and dreams, create positive changes in their lives and businesses, and find joy in their lives. Every day, seeing their achievements inspires me and reignites my passion for my work.

Getting to where I am today was not easy. Not only did I face personal setbacks like cancer, but also COVID not just as an individual, but also as a business owner responsible for the livelihood of my employees. I know that attorneys, entrepreneurs, heck, almost everyone, is skeptical of the concept of work life balance, but I am living proof that it is possible. It isn’t cookie cutter, and it means something different for all of us, but it is worth the challenges and the work!

I have learned that I am resiliant. I have learned the power of adaptability, and I have learned the power of genuine connections and how authentic connections create so much value in our lives and I am so grateful for everyone that has helped me get here.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s more than just a business – it’s a movement. It’s about changing the narrative around what it means to be successful.

In sharing my story, I hope to inspire not just attorneys, but professionals in all fields to rethink their approach to work and life. I want them to know that it’s possible to excel in your career while living a life that’s rich with personal experiences and joy. Life is short! Use the right tools, create the right mindset, and enjoy your life! We all have to work, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and fulfilling!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has grown so much over the years!

As a Georgia State 2x Alum, I have a special love for downtown! I would start the day off with a tour of downtown and some of the galleries in the Castleberry Hills area right after a spectacular brunch at Fellaship. I would then take them to the ATL Hip Hop museum in Underground Atlanta, and then spend the evening in the Edgewood area taking in some live performances at OurBar.

The next day would be dedicated to exploring Ponce City Market, as that is where I had a few of my businesses and there are some amazing shops there! We would check out the makers at Citizen Supply, grab some coffee or some lunch, and then head up to the roof for a fun time playing some games at the Midway! That night, we would head to the Clairmont Lounge, an Atlanta Institution!

Piedmont Park is a must hit for me. If it is a nice day, we would head to the park, maybe even check out the dog park if the dogs were in the mood! We would grab some food and hang out on the hill on a blanket, where I have sat and read books on nice days ever since I moved to Atlanta! Then we would grab a smoothie from Ardens Garden and hike down the Beltline towards Studioplex where we would get a slice of Pizza and enjoy the artwork and pop ups! We would check out Krog Market and have some dinner and then spend the evening enjoying The James Room, a bar a co-founded that is now run by some really amazing folks!

The next day, we would grab some food at Fishmonger at Pullman Yard and then hit up either the High Museum or the Fernbank. That night we would head out to one of the Studios with a client I represent and enjoy watching some art in motion!

Atlanta is full of amazing spots and I wish I could name them all so I suppose multiple trips to Atlanta are required!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shout out to my Georgia State College of Law alumni. I have never met a more supportive group of people! I would also like to give a big shout out to my clients! Thank you all for trusting me and letting me help you build your dreams!

Website: www.koefodlaw.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/missythedon

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/missykoefod

Twitter: www.twitter.com/koefod

Facebook: www/facebook.com/missygolnaz

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@koefodlaw

Other: Soundcloud: Golnaz Music Record Label: Koefod Creative Facebook Group: Koefod Creative Success Launchpad

Image Credits
Melissa Koefod