"Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." These words are more than a mantra for Ashley Rae Rawlins, founder of the eponymous Rawlins Law in San Diego, California. For Ms. Rawlins, practicing the law is a vocation; her path is serving humanity and fulfilling her life's mission. Drawn from Micah 6:8, the verse above is the cornerstone of her legal practice and the guiding principle that sets Rawlins Law apart in California's world of personal injury attorneys.
From age six, Ashley Rawlins knew she wanted to be a lawyer despite not coming from a family of attorneys. "I have always loved to argue, to advocate for the underdog, to stand up for what is right and just," she reflects. This passion for justice and a genuine love for people would later become the hallmark of her legal career.
Ashley's path to her dream career started in customer service. Before passing the California bar, she spent over ten years in the trenches of the service industry, first as a waitress and later in other capacities. Far from being a detour, this became another training ground, equipping her with the skills she needs to serve people daily.
"Working in the restaurant industry provided me with so many skills that have helped me be a better attorney," Ashley reflects. "Not only was I able to handle a large volume of tables and remember every order and every detail, I had to handle situations with compassion and grace towards the customer. You learn to deal with many different types of people from different walks of life and that is what I do now in my personal injury law firm."
Ashley’s commitment to ethics and her integrity were put to the test early in her career. Working at a personal injury firm shortly after passing the bar, she quickly encountered practices that didn't align with her values. Faced with a choice between compromising her integrity or stepping out on her own, she chose the latter despite not having another job lined up.
"I gave my notice with no job lined up - had student loans, just recently got married - but to me, my ethics, integrity, honesty, and reputation are more important," she asserts. This decision led to the birth of Rawlins Law, a firm built on the foundation of "doing things the right way, all the time."
Rawlins Law stands out for many reasons but is particularly renowned for its commitment to its clients, regardless of their claim size or potential payout. "My clients are more important to me than my numbers and bottom line," Ashley reiterates. "I care about every single client and case, no matter the size or value of the claim." The law firm has taken on cases other attorneys have turned down, securing settlements for clients who might otherwise have been overlooked.
Beyond legal representation, Ashley takes pride in personally working on every case and thoroughly explaining the legal process to her clients. This commitment to transparency and education empowers her clients, making them active participants in their legal journey.
Ashley hopes to serve even more people as her practice grows while staying true to her values. "It is an honor for me to be able to stand by the side of my clients and be there for them through a challenging time," she shares. Her ultimate goal is to do more than earn big settlements - she wants to impact lives and always maintain sight of the human element at the heart of every case she litigates.