Teen Mom turned Lawyer | Erin Pedrami | First & Forty Ep. 1

At 17 years old, Erin Pedrami was pregnant and being told she would never finish college. By 30, she had three children, three degrees, went on to become a Louisiana attorney, and build Pedrami Law Firm in Baton Rouge. In Episode 1 of the First & Forty Podcast, Baton Rouge attorney and law firm owner Erin Pedrami sits down with attorney Jonathan Holloway Sr. for an honest conversation about becoming a lawyer, overcoming adversity, building a law firm, Louisiana family law, divorce, client expectations, legal technology, artificial intelligence in law, leadership and resilience. Erin Pedrami shares her journey from teen mom to lawyer, including attending Tulane University while pregnant, working full time, attending Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, pursuing advanced legal education at Georgetown, and ultimately building her own Baton Rouge law firm. The conversation also explores Louisiana family law and divorce, what clients should consider when choosing a divorce attorney or family law attorney, child custody, child support, community property, legal fees, settlement versus trial, and why real-life law looks very different from what people see on television. Erin and Jonathan also discuss how technology and artificial intelligence are changing the legal profession, the importance of preparation and experience, and how Pedrami Law Firm is building a modern law practice serving Baton Rouge and South Louisiana. First & Forty is about the moments when life leaves you facing impossible odds — the down nobody wants, but everybody gets. IN THIS EPISODE: • Erin Pedrami’s journey from teen mom to attorney • Being pregnant at 17 and told she would never finish college • Attending Tulane University while pregnant • Working full time while earning a college degree • Erin Pedrami’s journey to Loyola Law School • Becoming a Louisiana attorney • Building Pedrami Law Firm in Baton Rouge • Louisiana family law and divorce • How to choose the right divorce attorney • What to look for in a family law attorney • Child custody and child support • Louisiana community property • What clients misunderstand about lawyers and legal fees • Settlement versus going to trial • Why practicing law is different from television • Artificial intelligence and technology in law • Building a modern Baton Rouge law firm • Louisiana estate planning and successions • Business law and litigation • Sports law, NIL and athlete representation • Entrepreneurship and leadership • Resilience and overcoming adversity • What First and Forty really means CHAPTERS: 0:00 Teen Mom Turned Lawyer: Erin Pedrami’s Story 0:56 Why Erin Started Her Law Firm 2:09 Pregnant at Tulane and Working Full Time 3:49 From Tulane to Loyola Law School 5:34 120 Students — Only 12 Admitted 7:27 Building a Different Kind of Law Firm 9:41 Family Law, Estate Planning and Business Law 12:11 Sports Law and NIL Expansion 13:50 Meet Baton Rouge Attorney Jonathan Holloway Sr. 16:58 How Practicing Law Has Changed 18:48 Artificial Intelligence, Technology and the Future of Law 21:23 Using Technology to Better Serve Legal Clients 22:51 How to Choose the Right Divorce Attorney 24:19 What Clients Misunderstand About Lawyers 28:01 What Winning a Legal Case Really Means 29:32 TV Lawyers vs. Real-Life Law 30:43 What First and Forty Really Means 31:46 Undersell and Overperform 32:50 First and Forty Episode 1 Closing CONNECT WITH ERIN PEDRAMI AND PEDRAMI LAW FIRM Pedrami Law Firm: https://pedramilawfirm.com/ Book a Consultation: https://pedramilawfirm.cliogrow.com/book Erin Pedrami on LinkedIn:   / pedramilawfirm   Pedrami Law Firm on LinkedIn:   / pedrami-law-firm-llc   Pedrami Law Firm on Facebook:   / pedramilaw   Phone: 225-245-9800 Pedrami Law Firm is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana law firm serving clients throughout South Louisiana. Practice areas include: • Louisiana Family Law • Divorce • Child Custody • Child Support • Community Property • Estate Planning • Louisiana Successions and Probate • Business Law • Business Litigation • Sports Law • NIL and Athlete Representation ABOUT FIRST AND FORTY The First and Forty Podcast with Erin Pedrami features conversations with attorneys, entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and people who have faced difficult circumstances and kept moving forward. Subscribe to First and Forty with Erin Pedrami for new podcast episodes about law, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, family, career growth and overcoming adversity. DISCLAIMER: The First and Forty Podcast is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed in this podcast constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship. Every legal matter is different. Consult a licensed attorney regarding your individual circumstances. #FirstAndForty #ErinPedrami #BatonRougeAttorney