Meet Deborah Yim | Employment Lawyer

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

Hi Deborah, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I was an employment attorney representing employers, I saw a lot of employees who were abused or discriminated against in the workplace. They had good legal cases but could not afford an attorney so they tried to represent themselves. Most of the time, they would lose or give up because they just didn’t understand the legal system. At the same time, I saw a lot of mom and pops and small businesses that wanted to do right by their employees but simply had no clue about workers’ rights. They too could not afford the hourly rates of many attorneys here in Denver. Many of these individuals were women, immigrants, and/or people of color – like myself. I wanted to be a voice for these people. I wanted them to see a bit of themselves in their lawyer.

So, I started a progressive employment law practice that represents the legally underserved. I call this the middle market of individuals that does not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford the pricey hourly rates charged by most attorneys. We created models where clients are able to retain quality legal representation through transparent and affordable rates, whether that be through unbundled services, flat fees, contingency, or reasonable hourly rates.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am proud of the fact that, as an immigrant, minority female, and first generation college graduate, I can relate first hand to the struggles and triumphs my clients face in the workplace. When they come to our firm, many are broken down, traumatized, and disappointed that the system has failed them. They have been talked down to and treated differently in the workplace simply because of who they are, what they look like, who they love, and what they believe. They are ostracized by the same leaders who are to protect them when they do speak up. As their attorney, I have the privilege and honor of listening to their stories; advocating for their rights; and making sure their voices are heard in the legal process. Sometimes, this means we have to go to court and litigate. More often that not though, our clients’ stories are so compelling and strong that we are able to reach across the aisle and get a resolution from employers without needing to spend months and years litigating. I’m proud that we are able to come up with logical and creative solutions that address the concerns of not just my client but also the employer. Many times, we hear from our clients that they lost all hope until they came to our firm, and it strengthens my resolve to continue to do this work. I’m proud of Primera Law’s community service efforts taking on pro bono cases and creating workshops and programs giving back to our community. Don’t get me wrong, it’s often stressful and challenging, especially, when the opposition is unreasonable and lacks any accountability, but it’s those times that I go back to my favorite quote: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” We have to remember that social change takes time but with patience and our combined efforts, change is inevitable.

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?
There are so many great places I’d take her! I’d encourage her to come in the fall, my favorite season in Denver, when the leaves are turning vibrant shades of color. We’d pack a picnic and take a bike ride down the High Line Canal all the way to Confluence Park, stopping to enjoy all the beautiful art and landscape. We’d catch a play at the DCPA or listen to music at Red Rocks or the Colorado Symphony and definitely go for a leisurely walk at the beautiful Denver Botanical Gardens or Denver Art Museum. I always love to send visitors to Best Tours of Denver for a walking tour of the city. The owner Billie Bradshaw has the best tour guides, and his city tour lets our visitors see architectural highlights such as the Brown Palace, Molly Brown Museum, the Capitol, and Blue Bear. We also love Denver Pedicab Tours for a fun way to see the amazing mural art across town. For eats, we’d go to Mason’s Dumplings for delicious soup dumplings, Meet Fresh or Mango Mango for yummy Asian-style desserts, Santiago’s for yummy Mexican food, Third Culture, Dochi, or Mochinut for my favorite mochi donuts, Empress for dim sum, Katsu Ramen for tonkotsu, Snooze or Tokyo Premium Bakery for breakfast; and Rioja for special occasions. Close out the night with drinks at the Terminal Bar at Union Station.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Like many small businesses, I could not be here without the support and encouragement of my family, who inspire and encourage me each day. Despite his own intense job, my amazing husband, Tony, finds the time to support my law practice with operations and technology, ensuring that we’re up to speed with the best in modern day technology so my clients have the best. My children, Alexandra and Justin, are only 6 and 9 years old, but they understand the importance of what our firm does fighting for people who have been wronged, and they always have a smile or encouraging word for me even when the going is hard. I am thankful also for their grandparents who are always ready to jump in to help out with the kids when I need to get to work at the crack of dawn or need to work late for a case.  Finally, last but not least, I need to thank my awesome paralegal, Allie, who has been instrumental to Primera Law’s successes!

Website: www.primeralaw.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primeralaw/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-yim-809b24184/

Facebook: facebook.com/primeralaw