Meet the Members: Kelly Petrakis, Family Law Attorney
We’re excited to kick off 2021 by introducing you to our members each month, and thought it would be great to start with Kelly Petrakis. Kelly has been with us since the fall, and favors using the upstairs private offices… and you’ll soon see why! Read on to learn more about her, her jump into entrepreneurship, and what life looks like outside of her work hours.
Kelly Petrakis
Business: Founder of Petrakis Law, PLLC. After working in family law since 2011, Kelly took the leap to open her own firm in March of 2020. Yes, during the beginning of a pandemic. She began her law career 9 years ago, and out of school she worked at two different firms, and also opened her own practice at the same time. She decided soon that this type of work lifestyle was not sustainable, so she closed her own practice, and chose to focus on clients for just one firm. During this time she learned so much, beyond what law school could teach her. Real world experience that helped mold her into the great lawyer she currently is.
Why Family Law? Kelly has always been interested in family law, and has practiced it since Law School. She loves that you can really help people and make a long lasting impact in peoples lives. “It’s really rewarding to help people through one of the most difficult times in life, I do well in court, and I take the time with them, to listen to them, to explain the whole process, answer ANY questions they have. Establishing the process and what they can expect is something I do well. I’m excellent at communications. They feel reassured and confident. I always try to calm things down, and take the perspective that this relationship will be in your life for forever, since you have kids together.”
On Being Self Employed: Kelly is enthusiastic about the change to being self employed. She appreciates not having to make the crazy commute to Massachusetts anymore, and being able to choose which clients she works with. “Also, the flexibility of time, and not being beholden to billable hours at someone else’s firm is great.” When the weather is nice, and the course load is lighter, she’s even able to take some afternoon time to go for walks in the local bog by her home in Amherst, NH.
On Working at CoHo: Kelly uses our Private Office option at CoHo, and meets with clients when she is unable to do virtual appointments with them. She chose to join for the flexibility of our memberships. “I am able to present myself professionally, but I didn’t want to be locked into a lease that I wouldn’t necessarily need, since some clients are opting for tele-visits. I can control the costs, and don’t feel guilty when I don’t need it, but it’s there when I do. It’s guilt free.”
When She’s Not Working: Kelly gives back to the community as a Big Sister in the Big Brother Big Sister of NH program, and has been learning to cook from her Little Sister! Otherwise, she loves to be outdoors, hiking, and enjoying what NH living has to offer, with her husband Peter.
How You Can Contact Her:
Website: https://petrakis.law/
Phone: (603) 377- 1553
