A noted community leader and social equality enthusiast, Attorney Fallon Moore is the founder of Alternate Legal Services. A business lawyer for entertainers and entrepreneurs, Fallon’s firm is where law meets lifestyle.
As a member of the Black Law Student Association while attending University of Detroit Mercy Law School, she was influential in creating initiatives that strengthened communities and educated and empowered minority youth in her native Detroit area.
In THIS INTERVIEW Fallon talks about her passion for helping people, what she enjoys about being an attorney, and the journey that led her to success.
Fallon, how did you get into the legal profession?
I used to say as a kid “I can’t sing, I can’t dance, so, what am I going to do?” If nothing else, I’m smart. I don’t like blood so being a doctor was totally out of the question! I would fall out at the sight of a scratch, okay? So that was not an option! [Laughs]
That’s hilarious but completely relatable! It makes sense to invest in what you’re passionate about.
I’ve always had a passion for just helping people in general. There’s just so much that happens in our community that kind of gets swept under the rug. When I started, my way of thinking was about making a difference. I thought, hey, that’s my move. That will me my contribution to helping our community and our people in some fashion. That’s how I ventured into the field of law.
What do you enjoy most about being an attorney?
I primarily focus on entrepreneurs. Whether that be entertainers or a person that owns a local deli down the street, what I enjoy most is being able to assist my fellow entrepreneurs establishing their businesses properly and making sure everything is well. Just having their backs. Being able to help the little guy, because most companies, especially the small businesses, have this notion that they can’t afford council. We do our own paperwork. We’re our own accountants.
So being able to provide quality service and not at a price that will break the bank but still be able to help is what I enjoy most.
Can you recall what led you to focus on entrepreneurs?
I can recall being in law school and talking to a lady while we were at a forum with an array of attorneys who have been practicing for years. They were asking what field we were going in to. This was maybe my second or third year of law school. At this point everyone has a general idea of what field they want to focus their practice on or whatever they want to do when they get out of school. For me at that point, my thought was who makes the most money? I wanted to be where the money is made.
After that conversation, one of the older ladies on the panel said I like you. I really, really like you. You have a good spirit. But I’m telling you now that you are after the wrong thing. She said the money will come. You have to find your passion and what it is within the law that you want to do because I guarantee you started this because you have a passion for helping people, didn’t you? And I said you’re absolutely correct.
So that totally changed my view of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. Once I found my passion, which was helping entrepreneurs, I definitely saw where my focus shifted.
What challenges do you face to continue carrying out your passion?
I want to be in the position to help and be of service, but as an attorney I still have to make sure my lights are on and I’m able to feed my kids. So as far as challenges, a lot of folks just don’t really consider the quality of service being provided. They have an issue wanting to pay for the services. They make calls to ask questions of another lawyer that’s of another color or gender to do this work. It’s a lot of folks that don’t value the legal expertise of minorities. I think that is definitely a huge challenge.
They’ll ask me the questions and I’ll provide the answer, but when it’s time to spend the money, they’ll go see “John” who gives the same answer but charges more. I attribute that to being a woman in this business and a minority woman in this business.
Fallon, who is someone that has a significant place in what you’ve achieved, personally or professionally, that your success honors?
Well, honestly, when I think of what I’m doing and who would be absolutely ecstatic about what I’ve accomplished, the first person, the only person that comes to mind is my grandmother. She didn’t make it to see me now.
Oh. We’re sorry to hear that.
My grandmother died in 2005. She was born in 1916 in Mississippi, and this is my mother’s mother, so all of what I’m doing wasn’t a reality to her. Early on telling her I’m going to be a lawyer, she had my back and was proud of me. But I often wondered if, in the back of her mind, she ever saw me accomplishing this.
What made you wonder that?
I had my daughter as a teenager and kind of veered off this traditional path. I went from straight A student to teenage mom, and she started looking at me sideways. When she passed my life was totally nothing like it is now. I dropped out of college as an undergrad and was working as a bartender. But here I am now.
When I think of my impact, I really think of my grandmother. I’m sure she’s smiling down and is very impressed. I’m sure she’s proud. |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
