Meet Karina Deochand | Injury Attorney & Legal Problem-Solver

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

Hi Karina, how do you think about risk?
I think risk is an important part of life – you can’t challenge yourself and improve as a person without taking risks. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the best way to learn what you’re really capable of. Risk taking is a muscle you need exercise to build, like any other muscle. The more risks you take, the easier it becomes to take risks. I also believe planning and preparation make all the difference for taking risks when the timing is right. The biggest risk I’ve taken is leaving a nice, cushy job to open my own law firm during the coronavirus pandemic. Even though it seemed to my friends and family like a spur of the moment decision, it’s something my partner, Romi Jayswal, and I have been planning and talking about since before and throughout law school. When we finally made the jump, it felt really natural.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Founding Attorney at Deochand & Jayswal Law Group, LLC. We handle civil and criminal cases. Our practice is built around representing the little guy against larger, more established entities. In civil cases, we represent people who have been badly injured in some unfortunate circumstance (such as car accidents, falls, or assault) against large multi-billion dollar insurance companies, to ensure they’re justly compensated. It’s what we all pay insurance for. In criminal cases, we represent the accused against the government. In both cases, it is our job to ensure the rights of our client are protected, because those rights are systematically undermined to help that larger entity. With our knowledge and expertise, we help level the playing field in a court of law. 

Usually when clients come to us, they’re having one of the worst days of their life. Our injury clients may be out of a vehicle, in immense pain, and have mounting medical bills because someone else didn’t know how to drive safely. We’re different from other injury attorneys because we give individualized attention to everyone who comes our way. Clients hear directly from myself or my partner. This is never the case at most law firms, where a staff person relays the message, which often gets muddled. We give our clients the time and guidance that they desperately need. Anyone who comes to us looking for help will walk away in a better position. For example, if a client who doesn’t have a case comes to us, we still spend a lot of time with them to hear them out, and explain exactly why they do not have a case. They don’t just get a letter rejecting their case. They leave knowing what their rights and options are, and when you’re in a scary position, that information means everything. 

My partner and I worked our way up in the personal injury field. I started as an unpaid intern, and I worked my way up to receptionist, case manager, paralegal, trial assistant, and now trial attorney. Combined, our experience of a decade is what pushed us to open the law firm. It wasn’t easy, but we knew we have the skills and experience to do right by our clients. The hard part was going through all the steps to get that experience – building our network, learning the law, honing our trial skills, understanding the medical side of the injuries, etc. Once we achieved that, opening the firm was risky, but we knew it was time to make the leap. 

The most important lesson I’ve learned – and it’s one that even seasoned attorneys need to be reminded of – is that the law is very nuanced and detailed. There are many legal nuances that can significantly impact the client’s recovery. The more you know, the better results you can deliver for your clients. We know that the devil is in the details, and we  take nothing for granted when representing our clients. At the end of the day, we want our clients to feel like they’re protected. Anyone who comes to us has an attorney for life. Even if they have a matter that we can’t personally handle, we make sure to refer them to other trusted, experienced attorneys or a local resource that will take care of them. I come from a small, immigrant community where there is a lot of misinformation and distrust towards the legal system. I value being a trusted resource for my community. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy when people reach out to me for help or advice. I became an attorney to be able to give back, and one of the benefits of opening my firm is that I have the freedom to take on legal projects that I am passionate about.

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.
Atlanta is such a fantastic city to visit because it’s constantly evolving – each neighborhood has changed so much in just a few years, so even as a local, there’s always a new spot to check out. I definitely have my local staples. For brunch, Sun in My Belly is my spot for fantastic coffee and unique food choices with a great patio when the weather is nice. I love downtown Decatur – there’s so many great spots all within the Square. For beer, Brick Store Pub can’t be beat. For cocktails, there’s no better place than SOS Tiki Bar. And of course, Jeni’s for ice cream. I love live music and Eddie’s Attic showcases such great talent. Every show there feels like a private concert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am a product of the people in my life who have pushed , encouraged , and motivated me to live up to my potential. One of my biggest influences is my cousin Amanda, who is the best person I know. She inspires me to fight for myself and others every day. I also want to shout out my friends – I have the best band of girl friends anyone can ask for. They’re always there to celebrate the highs and support me through the lows. Nothing seems insurmountable when you have a tight-knit support system encouraging you along the way. 

Website: www.djlawteam.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/karina.deochand.esq

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-deochand/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djlawteam

Other: instagram.com/djlawteam

Image Credits
Boon Vong