April 18, 2025 • 34 mins
Attorney Meesha Moulton takes us on her remarkable journey from Toronto to Las Vegas, where she built a thriving immigration and personal injury law practice from humble beginnings. With only $3,000 in her pocket after law school, Misha stayed at a budget motel on Boulder Highway while studying for the Nevada bar exam – a far cry from the successful law firm she would eventually establish.
The conversation delves deep into the current immigration landscape, with Moulton offering nuanced insights that cut through political rhetoric. She explains how recent policies have effectively criminalized undocumented status itself, creating widespread fear even among those with straightforward paths to legal residency. "These are not kidnappers and murderers," Moulton emphasizes, highlighting how media coverage often fails to capture the reality that most immigrants are simply seeking better opportunities and deserve due process.
For those navigating personal injury cases, Moulton reveals the inner workings of the legal process – from initial consultations to settlement negotiations with insurance companies. She shares practical advice like the value of dash cams as evidence (though she humorously notes they're "not great when you're at fault") and explains how her firm approaches case selection with an emphasis on client service over volume.
Beyond legal insights, Moulton offers powerful business wisdom, identifying overthinking as "one of the biggest culprits of why people don't actually pursue what they're passionate about." Her personal philosophy minimizes the time between idea and execution, focusing instead on disciplined implementation. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, she acknowledges the ongoing challenges but approaches them with determination rather than discouragement.
Subscribe to hear more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs and professionals who are transforming Las Vegas, one success story at a time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paki (00:00):
Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki
and Chris.
We are people who arepassionate about business,
success and culture, and this isour platform to showcase the
people in our city who make ithappen.
On today's podcast, we're goingto be sitting down with a
powerhouse attorney whospecializes in immigration and
personal injury, so we finallyget to sit down with the founder
of Misha Moulton Law Group.
We got Ms Misha Moulton, sowelcome to the Circle, welcome,
(00:21):
welcome, thank you so much forhaving me, so glad we could make
this happen.
Yeah, so a lot of crazy thingshappening in the world with
immigration which we'll jumpinto, but kind of want to first
start off with just kind of alittle bit of your background.
So, originally from Toronto,canada, yes.
So I got to mess with you alittle bit.
Are you a Drake fan at all?
Meesha (00:38):
I am definitely a Drake fan.
Okay, I have not turned my backon him okay, okay I.
I feel like you can appreciatea little bit of kendrick's music
right without just completelyhating on drake of course.
Chris (00:49):
Yeah, you can't just forget right away.
Paki (00:50):
I can't deny, drake is still very 1000, yeah, yeah what
do you have to say about,especially with the law
background?
What do you have to say aboutwith him suing?
You know, universal music groupand spotify and all of that
stuff.
Have you looked into that atall?
Meesha (01:01):
I haven't really looked into it too much, but just on
its face.
I can't imagine it really goesanywhere.
Yeah, for sure it's like the,the aspect of um just putting
out like a diss track.
He did the same.
Chris (01:13):
He just didn't hit the same.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he wished itdid, but it didn't work that way
.
Meesha (01:18):
So I don't think he'd be suing if it was getting
Kendrick Lamar's type ofattention 1,000%.
Paki (01:24):
yeah, so what brought you to Las Vegas from Toronto?
Meesha (01:27):
So I went to law school at Michigan State and then after
Michigan State, I basicallyjust, you know, from Toronto,
packed up my car, moved thereand then I was kind of at a
crossroads where I'm like okay,do I stay in Michigan, Do I go
back to Toronto?
And then at that point I waslike, you know, I am incredibly
(01:55):
tired of starting my car in themorning and, uh, you know,
cleaning it off and drivingthrough a snow storm, that white
knuckle driving, and I was likeI want to go somewhere warm.
And uh, california was just sosaturated and so expensive where
I kind of narrowed my list downto Vegas and Phoenix.
So I wish there was like abetter story behind it.
So I packed up my car againwith whatever fit inside of it
(02:16):
and then moved to Vegas.
Chris (02:17):
You've been trying to make that decision.
You know Vegas, you know forlike personal injury.
I'm assuming it's a pretty highmarket, at least what I would
guess.
But it was kind of the processto go automatically into
personal injury and immigrationor did it kind of develop into
that?
Meesha (02:28):
So it kind of just developed into it.
Honestly, I moved out here withlike zero plan, like if I'm
being completely honest, I kindof moved out here where I was
like, okay, I'm going to sign upto take the bar in Nevada and
then I'm going to just fromthere try to find a job after
the bar exam is all over with.
And then I kind of fell intopersonal injury.
(02:50):
So my experience beforehand wasin corporate law.
I've kind of done a lot ofcontract law.
Paki (02:57):
That's got to be crazy in Las Vegas.
I can't even imagine For sure.
Meesha (03:01):
And then you know it was a lot of people who I kind of,
who know me and know the storyof how I kind of ended up out
here.
You know it was a little bitcrazy, but I didn't know
anything about Vegas.
So I moved out here with likethree thousand dollars.
I stayed at Green Valley Ranchfor like three days and I was
(03:21):
like I don't think that threethousand dollars is going to
take.
Paki (03:26):
Go quick yeah so.
Meesha (03:27):
I'm like over here and I'm, you know, on Google trying
to find cheaper options of whereI can stay, while I have to
study for the bar exam, which islike a two month process before
I can even apply for a job.
And, of course, nobody's goingto give you an apartment without
a job.
So I find myself like a budgetweekly type situation.
Um, but then I had no idea whatBoulder highway was and that's
(03:53):
where I ended up.
Chris (03:54):
Oh, that's tough.
Paki (03:55):
I think I probably know the one too A little rough, so
for two months, um, I stayed atthe Segal Suites and took the
bar exam.
Meesha (04:07):
I took the bar exam and while I was waiting for my
results, I started applying forjobs, got a couple of job offers
, took a job in personal injurylaw and started from the bottom.
Chris (04:19):
That's a great story.
It was a tough one Quote.
Paki (04:22):
Drake?
What did you say?
Quote Drake.
Oh, shout out to Drake again.
Chris (04:25):
Yeah, a tough one.
When you get a job going into,you know, working for somebody
else as a lawyer, you know howlong do you have to go through
that process before you're ableto you know open up your own law
firm, or how does that kind ofeducational period look like?
Meesha (04:37):
You know, it's kind of funny because it's like there's
no like real formula for it.
There's a lot of people thatcome out of school right away
and they decide that they'regoing to work for themselves,
right, and then there's a lot ofother people who will go and
work for a large firm and thendecide, like in a couple of
years, that they want to try toventure out on their own.
For me, I just felt like Iwanted to kind of put in my time
(05:00):
and really learn the ins andouts of like a large practice
law firm.
And so I put in eight years andI started off, as you know,
basically like a legal assistant, because I wasn't licensed to
be an attorney yet, and then, assoon as I was licensed, I was
an associate attorney, worked myway to managing attorney, and
(05:21):
then I was the first everpartner at that firm for three
years.
Chris (05:25):
Oh, nice yeah.
Meesha (05:26):
And then went through COVID, which was kind of like an
unprecedented situation, andthen at that point I was like,
okay, I feel like you know, I'vegot some years under my belt
and some good experience andit's time for me to take this
and start making some decisionsfor myself.
Paki (05:44):
So that's awesome.
Yeah, what would you say?
I mean, the currentadministration is kind of crazy
when we get to the political.
But what's your perspective onkind of the current
administration?
And as far as immigration andwhat we're kind of dealing with
right now, what was kind of yourperspective on that?
Meesha (06:00):
How much time do we?
Paki (06:00):
have no yeah.
Chris (06:02):
That's a layered question .
Meesha (06:03):
Yeah, it's a layered question, you know, I actually
just did an interview on thisearlier today and I think,
because immigration has justbeen such a hot topic and you
know, my perspective, that Ikind of explained to that news
channel earlier today was just,I think that you know I
understand that we are kind oftired of certain things
(06:24):
happening at the borders, andyou know certain individuals
with criminal records in thiscountry that are undocumented,
but I think that the immigrationsystem is just kind of
incredibly stigmatized by themedia and I think that if people
actually took the opportunityto educate themselves, they
would know it's incrediblydifficult to, you know, go
(06:48):
through the path ofnaturalization and get to that.
You know that standpoint andthese people are very well
vetted and so, in the grandscheme of things, yes, there are
people who are, you know,committing crimes that shouldn't
be here, but overall, you know,we're dealing with people who
are just looking at a secondchance at life, a better
(07:09):
opportunity for their families,and you know, most of them are
good, law abiding citizens thatcontribute to society, and I
think that they're entitled todue process, just like our
constitution intended.
Chris (07:21):
So yeah, and what do you see like the biggest, you know
the top immigration issues thatyou're seeing you know being
immigration law?
Is it, you know, a risk ofdeportation or is it that you're
dealing with mostly peopletrying to get that citizenship?
Meesha (07:31):
So you know I my practice up until this point has
been people just trying to getthat citizenship right.
My job is to help facilitateindividuals to get to that path
of citizenship.
The problem that we're kind ofcoming across now is, like you
know, we should be promotingindividuals to go through the
process, the correct way.
(07:53):
And, but now people are kind ofliving in this fear and this
uncertainty.
So what I'm noticing a lot lastcouple of months is I'm sitting
down for consultations, I'mexplaining what the next steps
are, and people are just reallyworried and concerned, even the
ones that have, very like youknow, an easier way or an easier
method of obtaining thatcitizenship or that permanent
(08:15):
residency.
They're still afraid becausethey don't know if the laws are
going to change on them tomorrow.
So I'm hoping that you know weeventually get to a point where
we can kind of come to a middleground, because I think that
regardless of what side ofpolitics you kind of fall on, I
think everybody wants saferborders.
I think everybody wants youknow good law abiding citizens
(08:39):
in this country.
But I think that we can't takeaway people's basic rights in
the process of accomplishingthat.
Chris (08:46):
Yeah, how do you kind of mitigate some of those
challenges?
Cause, that would be my firstthought, right, if I'm here and
I'm, you know, undocumented andI need help, right I'd be afraid
to do that Like I'd be?
Afraid to reach out because nowmaybe exposes that or puts it
out in the open.
Meesha (09:05):
Like how do you mitigate some of that with?
So you know, what I alwaysexplain to clients is like as
much as it's you know as much assomebody would like to be able
to say that you know your rightsare or you're not entitled to
rights, or your rights are goingto be taken away.
If you are an undocumentedindividual, you still have the
right to remain silent.
You still have the right to anattorney.
So it's just understanding howto navigate these types of
processes and, you know,understanding that individual's
(09:28):
certain situation.
And you know, I think thebiggest issue that we're
currently going through is,during the campaigning, we were
kind of told that theindividuals that would be facing
like this mass deportationwould be people who have
criminal records Right, and Idon't think anybody was really
against that.
They're like, OK, well, likethis mass deportation would be
people who have criminal recordsright.
Yes and I don't think anybodywas really against that.
(09:48):
They're like okay.
Paki (09:49):
You have a criminal record .
Yeah, yeah.
Meesha (09:51):
Yeah, of course, because if you have a criminal record,
the chances of you actuallygoing through the immigration
process and being grantedpermanent residency and
citizenship is slim to none.
Paki (10:00):
Yeah, it's probably zero, more like none.
Yeah, probably zero.
Meesha (10:09):
And so nobody really had a problem with that.
I think the problem kind ofbegan when that shifted and the
criminality aspect just gotattached to the undocumented
status.
So if you're here and you'reundocumented now, you're
immediately considered acriminal.
Paki (10:22):
So the spotlight?
Going back to your point aboutthe media, the spotlight was all
on that, Exactly Okay.
Meesha (10:27):
So, and I think that's, you know, that's what we're
currently dealing with, andthere's different legislation
being put in place, but, youknow, we don't really have an
idea of how it's all going towork and how it's all going to
be funded.
So there's a lot of questionsthat need to kind of come to
light.
I guess.
Paki (10:47):
Yeah, there's a lot of layers to this.
It's so complex that that's.
I mean it's hard to obviouslyput it in just one interview
that I know probably this isgoing to be something
consistently you can be workingon probably the next few years.
It's like changing every day,right, it is yeah, so just going
back, just so I can understandcorrectly.
So if you there's a little bitof a delay period Not I don't
(11:08):
want to say like a loophole, butthey can come in and get a
little bit of a delay on that,you're not, you can't just turn
people in, or some people arejust turning people in, right,
that's the bad part.
What you see with the media isthey feel like people are just
getting turned in right.
Meesha (11:21):
Yeah, so you know that's .
The problem is like the dueprocess aspect of it right the.
So, generally speaking, if inthe past somebody was detained
for any reason, they would stillhave the ability to go through
the court system.
And basically, it would bedecided if they're going to be
deported or if they would have achance at gaining some kind of
(11:44):
immigration status in thecountry, the country.
What's happening now, or Ithink what the overall goal is,
especially with the Lake andRiley Act that was just passed,
is that you can detainindividuals for an indefinite
period of time without that bailor due process aspect, and it
could immediately be shifted todeportation.
(12:06):
So and we're talking like youknow, these are not, you know,
kidnappers and and murderers andpeople that are committing
violent crimes.
These are also individuals thatare being caught for
shoplifting and you know pettycrimes like that.
So it's really just, you know,a very um, one size fits all, um
(12:28):
type of response.
Uh, response with thelegislation that's passed.
Paki (12:33):
How do you decide, like, what cases you want to take on,
right Cause there's gotta be alot with a diversity, like Las
Vegas?
Like, how do you decide if it'simmigration or personal injury?
Like, okay, this is the, thisis what I want to take on and
represent?
Meesha (12:45):
So you know my.
My background comes from like avery high volume practice.
Sure and we would take a littlebit of everything, and so the
best way to kind of explain itwas I dealt with everything from
like tiny fender benders toextreme catastrophic accidents,
and then my experience kind ofshifted to just the catastrophic
(13:06):
type of accidents and injuries.
And then I realized when I wentout on my own that you know,
customer service is a really bigaspect to me and you know
there's a lot of attorneys inthis town that have billboards
that don't actually live here orgo to the office.
Paki (13:23):
So it's the marketing aspect of it.
Meesha (13:24):
Yeah, exactly, and so for me it was one of those
things where it's like I want tobe able to take a case and if
somebody wants to meet, for meit was one of those things where
it's like I want to be able totake a case and if somebody
wants to meet with me, call me,speak to me.
They have access to that.
So I kind of decide what casesto take just based on the facts.
And you know, and from theimmigration side of things, I
(13:45):
think one of the big reasons Ibecame an attorney is I was
hearing these like horrorstories from clients, because
you know, these are people whodon't have a lot of money in the
first place.
Just take advantage.
Paki (13:56):
I already know where you're going.
Meesha (13:58):
Yeah, and then you know they're spending five, 10,
$15,000.
And sometimes they are.
You know this is money that'sbeen saved over their lifetime.
They're borrowing it from otherpeople and you know they've sat
down with lawyers that are likeyes, absolutely, I can help you
with your problem.
I know, within 10 minutes ofsitting down with a client and
hearing what their situation isin a consultation, if I can help
(14:21):
them or not, and I turn awaymore people than what I take on.
Paki (14:25):
So yeah, so what's kind of some of those sorry to cut you
off?
What's some of those thingsthat would turn you off to be
able to say no, I can't.
I can't do this.
Meesha (14:33):
Like.
So from the immigration side ofthings, it's really just the
facts of the case, right, likeif you have like an extreme,
like if you have a criminalrecord or if you you had like
multiple entries withoutinspection, which is just
basically you know you comingacross the border, yeah, then
you inspection, which is justbasically you know you coming
across the border then you'renot eligible for certain things,
and so you know there's certainwaivers that we can do.
(14:55):
We can go through certainprocesses, but you know I will
be able to tell you if it'sworth it or not, and the last
thing I want to do is is to beable to take your money and then
to your not even be able tohelp you say sorry, you know so.
And then from the personalinjury side of things also, it's
kind of the facts of the case.
If you have actual injuries andyou have a good, solid case
(15:22):
where you need help, then I'mable to assist you, because
sometimes there's those everyday, like I said, smaller cases
that sometimes you can resolveon your own or they don't result
in real injuries.
Chris (15:33):
Yeah, how do you balance that with?
You know the goal of anybusiness, whether you're a
lawyer or any business, is togrow it right and try to get you
know to a point where you arekind of high volume right.
I would assume that's kind oflike the opportunity that you're
looking for.
But how do you balance growthwith that customer service?
And you know that declining ofcertain cases, because whether
it's an easy case or a hard case, that's still part of that
(15:55):
growth pattern in a sense.
You know how do you kind ofnavigate that part.
You know the business aspectalong with.
You know the personal aspect ofwhat you want to how you want
to conduct yourself.
Meesha (16:03):
So I think the biggest thing for me has been just
making sure that I hire peoplethat have like a very similar
mindset.
And so you know, I've beenguilty in the past of hiring
individuals quickly because Ineeded the help, you know, and I
realized that it's like thathire slow process actually just
(16:26):
works so much better becausethen I have people who want to
grow with the company.
You know they are looking atyou know just not looking at it
like a job there they reallywant to participate in the
growth and so I think that hasbeen like a really big part of
it for me.
And then you know finding likelike minded attorneys as well to
(16:49):
kind of add to that equation.
Sure, and as much as you wantto grow, you know having to
(17:10):
withdraw after a year, you knowafter an individual has
significant medical bills andthey've invested time.
And I'm not saying you know, ofcourse that happens.
It's not like there'ssituations where it never
happens.
But I'm saying that if you canlimit that aspect in the
beginning, then I prefer to godown that road.
Chris (17:30):
So that makes sense, because usually for personal
injury, isn't it part of a lotof time you're doing the work up
front for no cost, like thegoal is to get the money on the
back end.
So if you feel like if there'san opportunity we're going to
lose heavily, then you mighthave no option, right?
Is that how it usually works?
Meesha (17:43):
Yeah, exactly, so everything for us is a
contingency fee basis, so we arealways making money on the back
end, so we basically get paidthe same time that the client
gets paid and the providers thatthey treated with get paid, so
that's how that usually works.
Chris (18:00):
When you're trying to build a practice like that, it
seems expensive upfront, right,because you're really doing.
You could go a year and notreally see a lot of income.
If you take a lot of cases thatare going to be higher dollar
value cases or larger litigationcases, wouldn't it take a lot
longer to get that money upfront?
How challenging is that tobuild that practice out?
Meesha (18:17):
There's a reason I waited eight years to open my
own practice and it's definitelya personal injury practice any
law firm really but definitely apersonal injury practice where
you're not making any money upfront and there's a very heavy
investment on the front end.
So you know you have to takethat into consideration and and
(18:40):
know when you're ready to makethat investment.
And yeah, it might not be ableto see money for for a year, two
years, whatever the case may be.
Paki (18:48):
That's wild as far as what happens behind the scenes.
We see a lot of drunk drivingaccidents here.
What's the best thing to dowith contacting you.
How would you walk somebodythrough the process of reaching
out to your law firm dealingwith a drunk driver accident or
just a regular accident?
What really happens behind thescenes of how that process takes
(19:08):
out?
Meesha (19:10):
I'm usually contacted, uh mostly via phone um but I do
get contacted through socialmedia a lot uh through my
website as well, and then you'rescheduled for a consultation.
That consultation usuallyhappens in the office, but if
you require me to come out andmeet you happy to do that as
well I usually come out with alegal assistant.
So we basically just, you know,help facilitate that aspect as
(19:34):
much as possible.
We sit down, we go over thefacts of your case and then
collect all the information.
So what I tell people all thetime is if you're involved in an
accident, you want to make surethat you are collecting
everything you possibly can, sothe other individuals, license
information, any police reportinformation, police reports, you
know, pictures, videos.
(19:54):
So we collect all of thatduring the intake process and
then we decide, right then andthere, if we're going to at
least take it underinvestigation.
And then, if I decide to takeit, we sign up the client and
then the first 30 days of thecase is really us trying to, you
know, investigate, try toconfirm coverage, which is
making sure that the person whohit you actually had active
(20:17):
insurance, which you'll besurprised at the amount of times
that doesn't.
And then after the coverage partof it, then it's the liability
aspect, which is the twoinsurance companies usually
battling it out trying to figureout.
You know who's at fault and ifthey decide, you know if both
people are at fault, then towhat extent.
Paki (20:37):
Got it.
How do you feel about like thedash cams driving around and
having those in your car?
Is that a good recommendation?
That's a good thing to do, ornot?
Meesha (20:46):
So I actually did a video like a social media reel
on dash cams.
Paki (20:52):
Oh, did you, Okay, yeah, and.
Meesha (20:53):
I think you know, it got like a lot of traction because
people were like.
You know, I didn't really thinkof it.
Paki (20:59):
Yeah.
Meesha (21:00):
I was like I think dash cams are great, so they're not
great when you're at fault.
Paki (21:04):
But Very good point.
Yeah, yeah.
Meesha (21:07):
But they're definitely great in any other situation
where it's like you're trying totell a story.
You got hit by someone.
It's video evidence.
Paki (21:14):
You can show proof easily, easy to be able to see it
Exactly.
Meesha (21:16):
So any kind of proof, any kind of evidence that helps
to support your claim and likedash cam right now, I think is
like the ultimate type ofevidence, so I highly recommend
them.
Paki (21:27):
I just saw that video.
I highly recommend them.
I just saw that video.
I think it was on the highwayof when real viral was the dash
cam, where they just are stoppedon the freeway and then they
literally just pull back andslam into the car and then get
out.
Oh, yeah, so it made me thinkabout like the dash cam, like
you feel like everything iscamera active, where you got to
be watching everything at alltimes, which is crazy, crazy
world we're living in.
Meesha (21:46):
It is crazy, yeah, and I think that was like a situation
of like a staged accident.
I remember seeing that onTikTok and you know, and then
that that's a perfect examplewhere she was really lucky that
she had a dash cam.
Paki (21:57):
So you know, show proof right there.
Meesha (22:00):
Exactly Easy purchase on on any you know Best Buy,
amazon, anything like that.
Chris (22:05):
So If you are, say, hypothetically you are at fault,
can your dash cam getsubpoenaed in that process?
Or is it always just fair gameat that point if you have a dash
cam?
Meesha (22:15):
I mean yes, absolutely, If they know you have a dash cam
, any evidence like that candefinitely be called on.
Paki (22:23):
Before you settle with an insurance company, what's the
best you would recommend to kindof handle like?
What would you do with theprocess of that before trying to
settle?
Meesha (22:34):
So what we do is we have to send the client to treatment
, right, and then so they signup with me.
They have injuries, and then Isend them out to medical
providers based on, you know,the type of injuries that
they're saying they have, andthen from there I let the
doctors manage everything.
So the doctors are the expertsyou know I'm the expert at the
(22:55):
actual case side of things.
I'm working on that with myteam and then they're directing
the treatment.
So once they are done treatingand they are basically back to
normal or as close to it aspossible, then we collect the
medical records and bills fromeach one of the providers, put
it together in this neat littlepackage called the demand, and
(23:15):
then we send that out to theinsurance company and basically
it just kind of highlights whatthe individual's injuries were,
what kind of treatment theyreceived to address those
injuries, and then how much itcost, and then what I'm looking
for to try to settle the claim.
And then I give them usuallytwo weeks or so to review that
information before they contactme with an offer, and then that
(23:39):
kind of starts like thenegotiation aspect.
Paki (23:41):
Yeah, and that's probably the hardest part of it, right,
is dealing with the insurancecompanies, because it feels like
their biggest thing is tryingto not pay for anything, right?
So it's the battle of dealingwith insurance.
Is that the most frustrationpart of your job, or is that not
something?
Meesha (23:53):
I think that's kind of like the most fun part of my job
.
Paki (23:55):
Okay, I love battling with insurance, because having a
lawyer mind I get it, I get ityeah.
Meesha (24:00):
For me it's like you know, I enjoy the challenge, and
sometimes their reasoning formaking a low offer or for
denying liability is just soridiculous, so I just instantly
know I'm like this one's goingto litigation.
Paki (24:13):
So okay, yeah, so I don't go to litigation.
It takes.
Meesha (24:16):
Most of them are just settled and cut the check and
done, yeah, I settled, probablylike 85% of my cases, and then
I'd say 10 to 15% actually endup going to litigation and then
even within the litigationprocess right, it's such a small
percentage of that that'sactually going to end up going
to one of my trial attorneys.
Chris (24:34):
Okay, does that process?
Are you seeing that get morefrequent now, like with
especially insurance premiumsgoing up, insurance companies
losing a ton of money?
Like are you starting to startto push back a little bit more
than they used to?
Meesha (24:43):
You know, it's kind of funny.
It's like a combination right.
It's some insurance companiesand I feel like they kind of go
through waves.
Some insurance companies becomea lot tougher and they're like
denying everything, and thenother insurance companies are
like you know.
Let's try to get this resolvedand try to stay out of court,
because I mean when expenses areraised on one side, it usually
(25:04):
means expenses are also gettingraised on the other side too.
Paki (25:07):
Oh yeah, good point.
Yeah, how do you break barrierswith being in being in such
like a male dominated industryof the lawyers?
How do you deal with thataspect of it and keeping
yourself right and mindset right?
Meesha (25:20):
You know, I think that's just like a, a continuous
everyday, um, like hurdle thatyou know that I'm going to have
to kind of overcome.
I think that, as a woman in theindustry, you know, and I hope
we get to a point where it'sjust normal, right, we're seeing
just as many women lawyers asthere are male attorneys, and
when I say you know women whoown law firms and who are out
(25:43):
there advertising and but untilthat point, I think it's just,
you know, one of those thingswhere you've got to kind of
prove yourself a little bit moreand, uh, as much as we've made
some really, uh, you know, we'vetaken some serious forward
steps, I think that it's justone of those things.
That's still, you know, I'mstill battling like the, the old
(26:05):
, old white male and hisexperience, and that's just, you
know know how it goes.
Paki (26:10):
That's what it is.
Yeah, exactly.
Meesha (26:11):
So I have to fight a little bit harder and work a
little bit harder, but that'snot a problem.
Good stuff.
Paki (26:18):
Yeah, good mindset on there.
So for business advice, kind ofafter leaving the law firm you
were working in kind ofcorporate law on that line for
eight years what's one piece ofadvice that you would recommend
somebody that's just startingout, whether it's, you know,
maybe starting their own lawfirm or maybe just starting
their own business, you know,just in general what's.
What's one piece of advice youcan share with them.
Meesha (26:37):
So I would say, you know , I think overthinking is
probably one of the biggestculprits of why people don't
actually pursue what they'repassionate about, because I
always say, from the idea to theactual execution of it, most
people are going to overthinkthemselves out of the idea
altogether.
So what works for me is betweenmy idea and my execution
(27:02):
there's a very limited time, andso, you know, my mindset is
like what's the worst that canhappen, like I am not going to
regret just going for it,because I know the type of
person I'm.
I am, I'm incrediblydisciplined, I'm going to put in
110.
And if you're willing to dothat and you're willing to
suffer through the pain ofdiscipline and put in 110, you
(27:26):
know, and if it works out, greatfor you, perfect.
You didn't overthink yourselfout of it, right?
But even if it doesn't work forsome reason and the next idea
works, you're never going toregret just going for it.
Paki (27:37):
I love that.
Yeah, that's great Something wedeal with all the time.
Chris (27:40):
Yeah, never we're overthinking and trying to just
get through it and make adecision.
Paki (27:42):
But I love that because it's like we only have one life
to live.
It's like make yeah exactly.
Meesha (27:47):
I think our brains are kind of wired to just always
focus on everything that can gowrong.
Paki (27:54):
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Chris (27:56):
One later question on top of that you know, being a
lawyer, do you think you'renaturally inclined to be a
business owner?
Like I feel like I always see aton of lawyers become business
owners, either you know, on apartnership side, investment
side or in their own businesses.
Like, do you think you'renaturally inclined?
Meesha (28:09):
to do that.
You know, it's kind of funny.
It's like almost the oppositein some aspects, because it's
like I feel like some of thepeople who are really great
attorneys like I mean, liketruly good trial lawyers that I
know will tell you that they'renot great business owners.
So it's just, I think sometimesit's you know, your strength is
in one or the other.
But you know, I think mostlawyers are just very driven,
(28:32):
very type A individuals.
Chris (28:34):
That makes sense.
Meesha (28:35):
So you tend to see them a lot more in you know those
business settings.
Paki (28:41):
How long did it take?
You, like, did you know youwanted to have your own law firm
at one period?
Or would you?
When you were working for theother firm, you would something
clicked where you were like,okay, I could do this, like I
could do this better.
Or you know what I mean.
Like when did they click foryou in that eight year period?
Meesha (28:55):
You know, I didn't really go into it thinking like
I'm for sure going to uh have myown law firm for myself.
I think that you know, I that'salways kind of a goal.
Who doesn't want to work forthemselves?
but I was very open to workingum in a different, like in a law
firm setting with someone elseif it worked out.
But my, you know, my experiencekind of showed me that where I
(29:19):
want to head with my career andthe type of service that I want
to provide to my clients and thetype of cases that I want to
work on just kind of clashed alittle bit, and you know that's
perfectly fine.
I think people have likedifferent mindsets and different
goals and um.
You know, I enjoy making moneyas much as the next person, but
(29:40):
there's also a portion of mybusiness that I would love to be
able to kind of introduce umlike a, you know, immigration,
human rights, nonprofit elementto it.
Paki (29:51):
Awesome.
Meesha (29:52):
So I'm actually taking a course in London in the
summertime on that human rightsaspect too, just to kind of help
guide me in that direction.
So and I think you know itdoesn't hurt I think that it's,
you know, just something thatI'm passionate about.
I feel like I've grown to thisextent already at my age and I
(30:13):
feel like I'm in a positionwhere I'm grateful and I want to
be able to give back as much aspossible.
Paki (30:18):
That's good and that's going to open up a whole
different mindset, learning thataspect of it.
Meesha (30:23):
Yeah, yeah, I just have a six year old that's currently
in private school.
Okay, so I had to make sure youknow, get her all set up before
I start taking like a littlebit of a step back and taking
more of those types of cases.
Paki (30:40):
Good, for you.
Yeah, awesome, we always askguests about I mean, some of the
best food in Vegas.
I've heard Toronto's gotexcellent food.
Meesha (30:49):
It does.
Paki (30:50):
For sure, but what's your favorite restaurant in Vegas?
Meesha (30:53):
I love Limoncello.
Paki (30:54):
Limoncello's very good.
Yes, I know the owner Sahara.
Right yeah on Sahara.
Meesha (31:00):
But if you're looking for great Italian food, that is
the place to go.
Paki (31:04):
They actually have really good service there.
Yeah, they have amazing servicegreat food, a good cocktail
menu.
You know it's funny.
I just remembered that was thefirst restaurant we went to, I
think during the pandemic right.
It was one of the first ones wewent when the pandemic was
going on, with the masks andeverything.
It was like the firstrestaurant we actually went to.
Oh funny we saw everybody witha mask and taking them off.
(31:24):
It was funny, but I forgot theowner's name there.
Meesha (31:27):
He's a great guy I'm trying to uh giuseppe, just very
nice guy, yeah yeah, shout outto them a great, great food.
Paki (31:31):
I don't think anybody's mentioned that before.
Meesha (31:32):
So yeah, yeah, they know they have um like really fresh
food.
I think they like fly in someof the fish on a regular basis,
so if you haven't checked it out, I recommend it that's a gem.
Paki (31:43):
Yeah, good stuff.
I love, love seafood anditalian food.
Um, I would assume you know thenext step is you taking a class
.
Um, but is anything we forgotto ask you that you want to
leave us out on?
Meesha (31:52):
or no, I think I mean we could be here for layers, yeah,
with the immigration stuff,yeah, so there's, you know, so
much going on in the world, anduh you know I always just tell
everybody.
I think the last note I'll kindof leave off on is like just
you know, question what you readand don't take everything at
face value I think that's that'sreally what it kind of comes
(32:13):
down to is.
You know, like one of myfavorite quotes from one of my
favorite songs is like we chasemisprinted lies.
Paki (32:21):
And yeah.
Meesha (32:21):
so I think that's the biggest thing is just like you
know if you're being toldsomething, because when we read
history books and we look backat what happened in the past,
sometimes we're sitting therequestioning like how did anybody
ever let this happen?
Yeah, I feel like we're kind ofliving in that time right now.
Paki (32:38):
That's great.
I was just talking to my fatherearlier and I'll just say this.
He was saying like do your ownresearch.
Stop listening to other folksand just you know, following
everybody.
Do your own research andactually see if that's the truth
.
Right, Just got to have factcheck stuff Exactly.
I'm glad you brought that up.
Yes, that's good.
Especially being in your field,I know you get a lot of fact
(32:59):
checks, yeah.
Meesha (33:00):
So I used to not always listen to the news because it
was kind of like my way ofstaying in ignorance, bliss.
Paki (33:07):
Yeah.
Meesha (33:07):
But now you know practicing immigration law, and
with all the changes.
I have to watch the news anddrink my coffee.
Paki (33:17):
I can't even imagine it's wild.
So we appreciate you sittingdown with us.
What's some of your socialhandles people can reach out to
you on.
Meesha (33:24):
So my main one is Misha underscore Moulton Law, and
that's's my Instagram.
I'm also on TikTok under VegasAttorney, and then you can go to
my website, which isMishaMoultonLawcom, and you can
give me a call.
Awesome, we appreciate youhanging out with us.
Paki (33:43):
definitely check us out at VegasJourneycom.
And I forgot to shout outBrambomb for connecting us.
So they're in the building.
So I appreciate Alexis forconnecting us.
So they're in the building.
So I appreciate Alexis andTyler and Lindsey I've known
forever.
So shout out to Lindsey, she'snot here with us, but appreciate
Bram Braun for connecting us.
So thanks for your time andcheck us out at
breakerscirclecom.
Chris (33:59):
Thanks a lot.
Paki (34:00):
Thank you, Misha, Good stuff yeah.
Welcome to Vegas Circle Podcast with your hosts, paki
and Chris.
We are people who arepassionate about business,
success and culture, and this isour platform to showcase the
people in our city who make ithappen.
On today's podcast, we're goingto be sitting down with a
powerhouse attorney whospecializes in immigration and
personal injury, so we finallyget to sit down with the founder
of Misha Moulton Law Group.
We got Ms Misha Moulton, sowelcome to the Circle, welcome,
(00:21):
welcome, thank you so much forhaving me, so glad we could make
this happen.
Yeah, so a lot of crazy thingshappening in the world with
immigration which we'll jumpinto, but kind of want to first
start off with just kind of alittle bit of your background.
So, originally from Toronto,canada, yes.
So I got to mess with you alittle bit.
Are you a Drake fan at all?
Meesha (00:38):
I am definitely a Drake fan.
Okay, I have not turned my backon him okay, okay I.
I feel like you can appreciatea little bit of kendrick's music
right without just completelyhating on drake of course.
Chris (00:49):
Yeah, you can't just forget right away.
Paki (00:50):
I can't deny, drake is still very 1000, yeah, yeah what
do you have to say about,especially with the law
background?
What do you have to say aboutwith him suing?
You know, universal music groupand spotify and all of that
stuff.
Have you looked into that atall?
Meesha (01:01):
I haven't really looked into it too much, but just on
its face.
I can't imagine it really goesanywhere.
Yeah, for sure it's like the,the aspect of um just putting
out like a diss track.
He did the same.
Chris (01:13):
He just didn't hit the same.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he wished itdid, but it didn't work that way
.
Meesha (01:18):
So I don't think he'd be suing if it was getting
Kendrick Lamar's type ofattention 1,000%.
Paki (01:24):
yeah, so what brought you to Las Vegas from Toronto?
Meesha (01:27):
So I went to law school at Michigan State and then after
Michigan State, I basicallyjust, you know, from Toronto,
packed up my car, moved thereand then I was kind of at a
crossroads where I'm like okay,do I stay in Michigan, Do I go
back to Toronto?
And then at that point I waslike, you know, I am incredibly
(01:55):
tired of starting my car in themorning and, uh, you know,
cleaning it off and drivingthrough a snow storm, that white
knuckle driving, and I was likeI want to go somewhere warm.
And uh, california was just sosaturated and so expensive where
I kind of narrowed my list downto Vegas and Phoenix.
So I wish there was like abetter story behind it.
So I packed up my car againwith whatever fit inside of it
(02:16):
and then moved to Vegas.
Chris (02:17):
You've been trying to make that decision.
You know Vegas, you know forlike personal injury.
I'm assuming it's a pretty highmarket, at least what I would
guess.
But it was kind of the processto go automatically into
personal injury and immigrationor did it kind of develop into
that?
Meesha (02:28):
So it kind of just developed into it.
Honestly, I moved out here withlike zero plan, like if I'm
being completely honest, I kindof moved out here where I was
like, okay, I'm going to sign upto take the bar in Nevada and
then I'm going to just fromthere try to find a job after
the bar exam is all over with.
And then I kind of fell intopersonal injury.
(02:50):
So my experience beforehand wasin corporate law.
I've kind of done a lot ofcontract law.
Paki (02:57):
That's got to be crazy in Las Vegas.
I can't even imagine For sure.
Meesha (03:01):
And then you know it was a lot of people who I kind of,
who know me and know the storyof how I kind of ended up out
here.
You know it was a little bitcrazy, but I didn't know
anything about Vegas.
So I moved out here with likethree thousand dollars.
I stayed at Green Valley Ranchfor like three days and I was
(03:21):
like I don't think that threethousand dollars is going to
take.
Paki (03:26):
Go quick yeah so.
Meesha (03:27):
I'm like over here and I'm, you know, on Google trying
to find cheaper options of whereI can stay, while I have to
study for the bar exam, which islike a two month process before
I can even apply for a job.
And, of course, nobody's goingto give you an apartment without
a job.
So I find myself like a budgetweekly type situation.
Um, but then I had no idea whatBoulder highway was and that's
(03:53):
where I ended up.
Chris (03:54):
Oh, that's tough.
Paki (03:55):
I think I probably know the one too A little rough, so
for two months, um, I stayed atthe Segal Suites and took the
bar exam.
Meesha (04:07):
I took the bar exam and while I was waiting for my
results, I started applying forjobs, got a couple of job offers
, took a job in personal injurylaw and started from the bottom.
Chris (04:19):
That's a great story.
It was a tough one Quote.
Paki (04:22):
Drake?
What did you say?
Quote Drake.
Oh, shout out to Drake again.
Chris (04:25):
Yeah, a tough one.
When you get a job going into,you know, working for somebody
else as a lawyer, you know howlong do you have to go through
that process before you're ableto you know open up your own law
firm, or how does that kind ofeducational period look like?
Meesha (04:37):
You know, it's kind of funny because it's like there's
no like real formula for it.
There's a lot of people thatcome out of school right away
and they decide that they'regoing to work for themselves,
right, and then there's a lot ofother people who will go and
work for a large firm and thendecide, like in a couple of
years, that they want to try toventure out on their own.
For me, I just felt like Iwanted to kind of put in my time
(05:00):
and really learn the ins andouts of like a large practice
law firm.
And so I put in eight years andI started off, as you know,
basically like a legal assistant, because I wasn't licensed to
be an attorney yet, and then, assoon as I was licensed, I was
an associate attorney, worked myway to managing attorney, and
(05:21):
then I was the first everpartner at that firm for three
years.
Chris (05:25):
Oh, nice yeah.
Meesha (05:26):
And then went through COVID, which was kind of like an
unprecedented situation, andthen at that point I was like,
okay, I feel like you know, I'vegot some years under my belt
and some good experience andit's time for me to take this
and start making some decisionsfor myself.
Paki (05:44):
So that's awesome.
Yeah, what would you say?
I mean, the currentadministration is kind of crazy
when we get to the political.
But what's your perspective onkind of the current
administration?
And as far as immigration andwhat we're kind of dealing with
right now, what was kind of yourperspective on that?
Meesha (06:00):
How much time do we?
Paki (06:00):
have no yeah.
Chris (06:02):
That's a layered question .
Meesha (06:03):
Yeah, it's a layered question, you know, I actually
just did an interview on thisearlier today and I think,
because immigration has justbeen such a hot topic and you
know, my perspective, that Ikind of explained to that news
channel earlier today was just,I think that you know I
understand that we are kind oftired of certain things
(06:24):
happening at the borders, andyou know certain individuals
with criminal records in thiscountry that are undocumented,
but I think that the immigrationsystem is just kind of
incredibly stigmatized by themedia and I think that if people
actually took the opportunityto educate themselves, they
would know it's incrediblydifficult to, you know, go
(06:48):
through the path ofnaturalization and get to that.
You know that standpoint andthese people are very well
vetted and so, in the grandscheme of things, yes, there are
people who are, you know,committing crimes that shouldn't
be here, but overall, you know,we're dealing with people who
are just looking at a secondchance at life, a better
(07:09):
opportunity for their families,and you know, most of them are
good, law abiding citizens thatcontribute to society, and I
think that they're entitled todue process, just like our
constitution intended.
Chris (07:21):
So yeah, and what do you see like the biggest, you know
the top immigration issues thatyou're seeing you know being
immigration law?
Is it, you know, a risk ofdeportation or is it that you're
dealing with mostly peopletrying to get that citizenship?
Meesha (07:31):
So you know I my practice up until this point has
been people just trying to getthat citizenship right.
My job is to help facilitateindividuals to get to that path
of citizenship.
The problem that we're kind ofcoming across now is, like you
know, we should be promotingindividuals to go through the
process, the correct way.
(07:53):
And, but now people are kind ofliving in this fear and this
uncertainty.
So what I'm noticing a lot lastcouple of months is I'm sitting
down for consultations, I'mexplaining what the next steps
are, and people are just reallyworried and concerned, even the
ones that have, very like youknow, an easier way or an easier
method of obtaining thatcitizenship or that permanent
(08:15):
residency.
They're still afraid becausethey don't know if the laws are
going to change on them tomorrow.
So I'm hoping that you know weeventually get to a point where
we can kind of come to a middleground, because I think that
regardless of what side ofpolitics you kind of fall on, I
think everybody wants saferborders.
I think everybody wants youknow good law abiding citizens
(08:39):
in this country.
But I think that we can't takeaway people's basic rights in
the process of accomplishingthat.
Chris (08:46):
Yeah, how do you kind of mitigate some of those
challenges?
Cause, that would be my firstthought, right, if I'm here and
I'm, you know, undocumented andI need help, right I'd be afraid
to do that Like I'd be?
Afraid to reach out because nowmaybe exposes that or puts it
out in the open.
Meesha (09:05):
Like how do you mitigate some of that with?
So you know, what I alwaysexplain to clients is like as
much as it's you know as much assomebody would like to be able
to say that you know your rightsare or you're not entitled to
rights, or your rights are goingto be taken away.
If you are an undocumentedindividual, you still have the
right to remain silent.
You still have the right to anattorney.
So it's just understanding howto navigate these types of
processes and, you know,understanding that individual's
(09:28):
certain situation.
And you know, I think thebiggest issue that we're
currently going through is,during the campaigning, we were
kind of told that theindividuals that would be facing
like this mass deportationwould be people who have
criminal records Right, and Idon't think anybody was really
against that.
They're like, OK, well, likethis mass deportation would be
people who have criminal recordsright.
Yes and I don't think anybodywas really against that.
(09:48):
They're like okay.
Paki (09:49):
You have a criminal record .
Yeah, yeah.
Meesha (09:51):
Yeah, of course, because if you have a criminal record,
the chances of you actuallygoing through the immigration
process and being grantedpermanent residency and
citizenship is slim to none.
Paki (10:00):
Yeah, it's probably zero, more like none.
Yeah, probably zero.
Meesha (10:09):
And so nobody really had a problem with that.
I think the problem kind ofbegan when that shifted and the
criminality aspect just gotattached to the undocumented
status.
So if you're here and you'reundocumented now, you're
immediately considered acriminal.
Paki (10:22):
So the spotlight?
Going back to your point aboutthe media, the spotlight was all
on that, Exactly Okay.
Meesha (10:27):
So, and I think that's, you know, that's what we're
currently dealing with, andthere's different legislation
being put in place, but, youknow, we don't really have an
idea of how it's all going towork and how it's all going to
be funded.
So there's a lot of questionsthat need to kind of come to
light.
I guess.
Paki (10:47):
Yeah, there's a lot of layers to this.
It's so complex that that's.
I mean it's hard to obviouslyput it in just one interview
that I know probably this isgoing to be something
consistently you can be workingon probably the next few years.
It's like changing every day,right, it is yeah, so just going
back, just so I can understandcorrectly.
So if you there's a little bitof a delay period Not I don't
(11:08):
want to say like a loophole, butthey can come in and get a
little bit of a delay on that,you're not, you can't just turn
people in, or some people arejust turning people in, right,
that's the bad part.
What you see with the media isthey feel like people are just
getting turned in right.
Meesha (11:21):
Yeah, so you know that's .
The problem is like the dueprocess aspect of it right the.
So, generally speaking, if inthe past somebody was detained
for any reason, they would stillhave the ability to go through
the court system.
And basically, it would bedecided if they're going to be
deported or if they would have achance at gaining some kind of
(11:44):
immigration status in thecountry, the country.
What's happening now, or Ithink what the overall goal is,
especially with the Lake andRiley Act that was just passed,
is that you can detainindividuals for an indefinite
period of time without that bailor due process aspect, and it
could immediately be shifted todeportation.
(12:06):
So and we're talking like youknow, these are not, you know,
kidnappers and and murderers andpeople that are committing
violent crimes.
These are also individuals thatare being caught for
shoplifting and you know pettycrimes like that.
So it's really just, you know,a very um, one size fits all, um
(12:28):
type of response.
Uh, response with thelegislation that's passed.
Paki (12:33):
How do you decide, like, what cases you want to take on,
right Cause there's gotta be alot with a diversity, like Las
Vegas?
Like, how do you decide if it'simmigration or personal injury?
Like, okay, this is the, thisis what I want to take on and
represent?
Meesha (12:45):
So you know my.
My background comes from like avery high volume practice.
Sure and we would take a littlebit of everything, and so the
best way to kind of explain itwas I dealt with everything from
like tiny fender benders toextreme catastrophic accidents,
and then my experience kind ofshifted to just the catastrophic
(13:06):
type of accidents and injuries.
And then I realized when I wentout on my own that you know,
customer service is a really bigaspect to me and you know
there's a lot of attorneys inthis town that have billboards
that don't actually live here orgo to the office.
Paki (13:23):
So it's the marketing aspect of it.
Meesha (13:24):
Yeah, exactly, and so for me it was one of those
things where it's like I want tobe able to take a case and if
somebody wants to meet, for meit was one of those things where
it's like I want to be able totake a case and if somebody
wants to meet with me, call me,speak to me.
They have access to that.
So I kind of decide what casesto take just based on the facts.
And you know, and from theimmigration side of things, I
(13:45):
think one of the big reasons Ibecame an attorney is I was
hearing these like horrorstories from clients, because
you know, these are people whodon't have a lot of money in the
first place.
Just take advantage.
Paki (13:56):
I already know where you're going.
Meesha (13:58):
Yeah, and then you know they're spending five, 10,
$15,000.
And sometimes they are.
You know this is money that'sbeen saved over their lifetime.
They're borrowing it from otherpeople and you know they've sat
down with lawyers that are likeyes, absolutely, I can help you
with your problem.
I know, within 10 minutes ofsitting down with a client and
hearing what their situation isin a consultation, if I can help
(14:21):
them or not, and I turn awaymore people than what I take on.
Paki (14:25):
So yeah, so what's kind of some of those sorry to cut you
off?
What's some of those thingsthat would turn you off to be
able to say no, I can't.
I can't do this.
Meesha (14:33):
Like.
So from the immigration side ofthings, it's really just the
facts of the case, right, likeif you have like an extreme,
like if you have a criminalrecord or if you you had like
multiple entries withoutinspection, which is just
basically you know you comingacross the border, yeah, then
you inspection, which is justbasically you know you coming
across the border then you'renot eligible for certain things,
and so you know there's certainwaivers that we can do.
(14:55):
We can go through certainprocesses, but you know I will
be able to tell you if it'sworth it or not, and the last
thing I want to do is is to beable to take your money and then
to your not even be able tohelp you say sorry, you know so.
And then from the personalinjury side of things also, it's
kind of the facts of the case.
If you have actual injuries andyou have a good, solid case
(15:22):
where you need help, then I'mable to assist you, because
sometimes there's those everyday, like I said, smaller cases
that sometimes you can resolveon your own or they don't result
in real injuries.
Chris (15:33):
Yeah, how do you balance that with?
You know the goal of anybusiness, whether you're a
lawyer or any business, is togrow it right and try to get you
know to a point where you arekind of high volume right.
I would assume that's kind oflike the opportunity that you're
looking for.
But how do you balance growthwith that customer service?
And you know that declining ofcertain cases, because whether
it's an easy case or a hard case, that's still part of that
(15:55):
growth pattern in a sense.
You know how do you kind ofnavigate that part.
You know the business aspectalong with.
You know the personal aspect ofwhat you want to how you want
to conduct yourself.
Meesha (16:03):
So I think the biggest thing for me has been just
making sure that I hire peoplethat have like a very similar
mindset.
And so you know, I've beenguilty in the past of hiring
individuals quickly because Ineeded the help, you know, and I
realized that it's like thathire slow process actually just
(16:26):
works so much better becausethen I have people who want to
grow with the company.
You know they are looking atyou know just not looking at it
like a job there they reallywant to participate in the
growth and so I think that hasbeen like a really big part of
it for me.
And then you know finding likelike minded attorneys as well to
(16:49):
kind of add to that equation.
Sure, and as much as you wantto grow, you know having to
(17:10):
withdraw after a year, you knowafter an individual has
significant medical bills andthey've invested time.
And I'm not saying you know, ofcourse that happens.
It's not like there'ssituations where it never
happens.
But I'm saying that if you canlimit that aspect in the
beginning, then I prefer to godown that road.
Chris (17:30):
So that makes sense, because usually for personal
injury, isn't it part of a lotof time you're doing the work up
front for no cost, like thegoal is to get the money on the
back end.
So if you feel like if there'san opportunity we're going to
lose heavily, then you mighthave no option, right?
Is that how it usually works?
Meesha (17:43):
Yeah, exactly, so everything for us is a
contingency fee basis, so we arealways making money on the back
end, so we basically get paidthe same time that the client
gets paid and the providers thatthey treated with get paid, so
that's how that usually works.
Chris (18:00):
When you're trying to build a practice like that, it
seems expensive upfront, right,because you're really doing.
You could go a year and notreally see a lot of income.
If you take a lot of cases thatare going to be higher dollar
value cases or larger litigationcases, wouldn't it take a lot
longer to get that money upfront?
How challenging is that tobuild that practice out?
Meesha (18:17):
There's a reason I waited eight years to open my
own practice and it's definitelya personal injury practice any
law firm really but definitely apersonal injury practice where
you're not making any money upfront and there's a very heavy
investment on the front end.
So you know you have to takethat into consideration and and
(18:40):
know when you're ready to makethat investment.
And yeah, it might not be ableto see money for for a year, two
years, whatever the case may be.
Paki (18:48):
That's wild as far as what happens behind the scenes.
We see a lot of drunk drivingaccidents here.
What's the best thing to dowith contacting you.
How would you walk somebodythrough the process of reaching
out to your law firm dealingwith a drunk driver accident or
just a regular accident?
What really happens behind thescenes of how that process takes
(19:08):
out?
Meesha (19:10):
I'm usually contacted, uh mostly via phone um but I do
get contacted through socialmedia a lot uh through my
website as well, and then you'rescheduled for a consultation.
That consultation usuallyhappens in the office, but if
you require me to come out andmeet you happy to do that as
well I usually come out with alegal assistant.
So we basically just, you know,help facilitate that aspect as
(19:34):
much as possible.
We sit down, we go over thefacts of your case and then
collect all the information.
So what I tell people all thetime is if you're involved in an
accident, you want to make surethat you are collecting
everything you possibly can, sothe other individuals, license
information, any police reportinformation, police reports, you
know, pictures, videos.
(19:54):
So we collect all of thatduring the intake process and
then we decide, right then andthere, if we're going to at
least take it underinvestigation.
And then, if I decide to takeit, we sign up the client and
then the first 30 days of thecase is really us trying to, you
know, investigate, try toconfirm coverage, which is
making sure that the person whohit you actually had active
(20:17):
insurance, which you'll besurprised at the amount of times
that doesn't.
And then after the coverage partof it, then it's the liability
aspect, which is the twoinsurance companies usually
battling it out trying to figureout.
You know who's at fault and ifthey decide, you know if both
people are at fault, then towhat extent.
Paki (20:37):
Got it.
How do you feel about like thedash cams driving around and
having those in your car?
Is that a good recommendation?
That's a good thing to do, ornot?
Meesha (20:46):
So I actually did a video like a social media reel
on dash cams.
Paki (20:52):
Oh, did you, Okay, yeah, and.
Meesha (20:53):
I think you know, it got like a lot of traction because
people were like.
You know, I didn't really thinkof it.
Paki (20:59):
Yeah.
Meesha (21:00):
I was like I think dash cams are great, so they're not
great when you're at fault.
Paki (21:04):
But Very good point.
Yeah, yeah.
Meesha (21:07):
But they're definitely great in any other situation
where it's like you're trying totell a story.
You got hit by someone.
It's video evidence.
Paki (21:14):
You can show proof easily, easy to be able to see it
Exactly.
Meesha (21:16):
So any kind of proof, any kind of evidence that helps
to support your claim and likedash cam right now, I think is
like the ultimate type ofevidence, so I highly recommend
them.
Paki (21:27):
I just saw that video.
I highly recommend them.
I just saw that video.
I think it was on the highwayof when real viral was the dash
cam, where they just are stoppedon the freeway and then they
literally just pull back andslam into the car and then get
out.
Oh, yeah, so it made me thinkabout like the dash cam, like
you feel like everything iscamera active, where you got to
be watching everything at alltimes, which is crazy, crazy
world we're living in.
Meesha (21:46):
It is crazy, yeah, and I think that was like a situation
of like a staged accident.
I remember seeing that onTikTok and you know, and then
that that's a perfect examplewhere she was really lucky that
she had a dash cam.
Paki (21:57):
So you know, show proof right there.
Meesha (22:00):
Exactly Easy purchase on on any you know Best Buy,
amazon, anything like that.
Chris (22:05):
So If you are, say, hypothetically you are at fault,
can your dash cam getsubpoenaed in that process?
Or is it always just fair gameat that point if you have a dash
cam?
Meesha (22:15):
I mean yes, absolutely, If they know you have a dash cam
, any evidence like that candefinitely be called on.
Paki (22:23):
Before you settle with an insurance company, what's the
best you would recommend to kindof handle like?
What would you do with theprocess of that before trying to
settle?
Meesha (22:34):
So what we do is we have to send the client to treatment
, right, and then so they signup with me.
They have injuries, and then Isend them out to medical
providers based on, you know,the type of injuries that
they're saying they have, andthen from there I let the
doctors manage everything.
So the doctors are the expertsyou know I'm the expert at the
(22:55):
actual case side of things.
I'm working on that with myteam and then they're directing
the treatment.
So once they are done treatingand they are basically back to
normal or as close to it aspossible, then we collect the
medical records and bills fromeach one of the providers, put
it together in this neat littlepackage called the demand, and
(23:15):
then we send that out to theinsurance company and basically
it just kind of highlights whatthe individual's injuries were,
what kind of treatment theyreceived to address those
injuries, and then how much itcost, and then what I'm looking
for to try to settle the claim.
And then I give them usuallytwo weeks or so to review that
information before they contactme with an offer, and then that
(23:39):
kind of starts like thenegotiation aspect.
Paki (23:41):
Yeah, and that's probably the hardest part of it, right,
is dealing with the insurancecompanies, because it feels like
their biggest thing is tryingto not pay for anything, right?
So it's the battle of dealingwith insurance.
Is that the most frustrationpart of your job, or is that not
something?
Meesha (23:53):
I think that's kind of like the most fun part of my job
.
Paki (23:55):
Okay, I love battling with insurance, because having a
lawyer mind I get it, I get ityeah.
Meesha (24:00):
For me it's like you know, I enjoy the challenge, and
sometimes their reasoning formaking a low offer or for
denying liability is just soridiculous, so I just instantly
know I'm like this one's goingto litigation.
Paki (24:13):
So okay, yeah, so I don't go to litigation.
It takes.
Meesha (24:16):
Most of them are just settled and cut the check and
done, yeah, I settled, probablylike 85% of my cases, and then
I'd say 10 to 15% actually endup going to litigation and then
even within the litigationprocess right, it's such a small
percentage of that that'sactually going to end up going
to one of my trial attorneys.
Chris (24:34):
Okay, does that process?
Are you seeing that get morefrequent now, like with
especially insurance premiumsgoing up, insurance companies
losing a ton of money?
Like are you starting to startto push back a little bit more
than they used to?
Meesha (24:43):
You know, it's kind of funny.
It's like a combination right.
It's some insurance companiesand I feel like they kind of go
through waves.
Some insurance companies becomea lot tougher and they're like
denying everything, and thenother insurance companies are
like you know.
Let's try to get this resolvedand try to stay out of court,
because I mean when expenses areraised on one side, it usually
(25:04):
means expenses are also gettingraised on the other side too.
Paki (25:07):
Oh yeah, good point.
Yeah, how do you break barrierswith being in being in such
like a male dominated industryof the lawyers?
How do you deal with thataspect of it and keeping
yourself right and mindset right?
Meesha (25:20):
You know, I think that's just like a, a continuous
everyday, um, like hurdle thatyou know that I'm going to have
to kind of overcome.
I think that, as a woman in theindustry, you know, and I hope
we get to a point where it'sjust normal, right, we're seeing
just as many women lawyers asthere are male attorneys, and
when I say you know women whoown law firms and who are out
(25:43):
there advertising and but untilthat point, I think it's just,
you know, one of those thingswhere you've got to kind of
prove yourself a little bit moreand, uh, as much as we've made
some really, uh, you know, we'vetaken some serious forward
steps, I think that it's justone of those things.
That's still, you know, I'mstill battling like the, the old
(26:05):
, old white male and hisexperience, and that's just, you
know know how it goes.
Paki (26:10):
That's what it is.
Yeah, exactly.
Meesha (26:11):
So I have to fight a little bit harder and work a
little bit harder, but that'snot a problem.
Good stuff.
Paki (26:18):
Yeah, good mindset on there.
So for business advice, kind ofafter leaving the law firm you
were working in kind ofcorporate law on that line for
eight years what's one piece ofadvice that you would recommend
somebody that's just startingout, whether it's, you know,
maybe starting their own lawfirm or maybe just starting
their own business, you know,just in general what's.
What's one piece of advice youcan share with them.
Meesha (26:37):
So I would say, you know , I think overthinking is
probably one of the biggestculprits of why people don't
actually pursue what they'repassionate about, because I
always say, from the idea to theactual execution of it, most
people are going to overthinkthemselves out of the idea
altogether.
So what works for me is betweenmy idea and my execution
(27:02):
there's a very limited time, andso, you know, my mindset is
like what's the worst that canhappen, like I am not going to
regret just going for it,because I know the type of
person I'm.
I am, I'm incrediblydisciplined, I'm going to put in
110.
And if you're willing to dothat and you're willing to
suffer through the pain ofdiscipline and put in 110, you
(27:26):
know, and if it works out, greatfor you, perfect.
You didn't overthink yourselfout of it, right?
But even if it doesn't work forsome reason and the next idea
works, you're never going toregret just going for it.
Paki (27:37):
I love that.
Yeah, that's great Something wedeal with all the time.
Chris (27:40):
Yeah, never we're overthinking and trying to just
get through it and make adecision.
Paki (27:42):
But I love that because it's like we only have one life
to live.
It's like make yeah exactly.
Meesha (27:47):
I think our brains are kind of wired to just always
focus on everything that can gowrong.
Paki (27:54):
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Chris (27:56):
One later question on top of that you know, being a
lawyer, do you think you'renaturally inclined to be a
business owner?
Like I feel like I always see aton of lawyers become business
owners, either you know, on apartnership side, investment
side or in their own businesses.
Like, do you think you'renaturally inclined?
Meesha (28:09):
to do that.
You know, it's kind of funny.
It's like almost the oppositein some aspects, because it's
like I feel like some of thepeople who are really great
attorneys like I mean, liketruly good trial lawyers that I
know will tell you that they'renot great business owners.
So it's just, I think sometimesit's you know, your strength is
in one or the other.
But you know, I think mostlawyers are just very driven,
(28:32):
very type A individuals.
Chris (28:34):
That makes sense.
Meesha (28:35):
So you tend to see them a lot more in you know those
business settings.
Paki (28:41):
How long did it take?
You, like, did you know youwanted to have your own law firm
at one period?
Or would you?
When you were working for theother firm, you would something
clicked where you were like,okay, I could do this, like I
could do this better.
Or you know what I mean.
Like when did they click foryou in that eight year period?
Meesha (28:55):
You know, I didn't really go into it thinking like
I'm for sure going to uh have myown law firm for myself.
I think that you know, I that'salways kind of a goal.
Who doesn't want to work forthemselves?
but I was very open to workingum in a different, like in a law
firm setting with someone elseif it worked out.
But my, you know, my experiencekind of showed me that where I
(29:19):
want to head with my career andthe type of service that I want
to provide to my clients and thetype of cases that I want to
work on just kind of clashed alittle bit, and you know that's
perfectly fine.
I think people have likedifferent mindsets and different
goals and um.
You know, I enjoy making moneyas much as the next person, but
(29:40):
there's also a portion of mybusiness that I would love to be
able to kind of introduce umlike a, you know, immigration,
human rights, nonprofit elementto it.
Paki (29:51):
Awesome.
Meesha (29:52):
So I'm actually taking a course in London in the
summertime on that human rightsaspect too, just to kind of help
guide me in that direction.
So and I think you know itdoesn't hurt I think that it's,
you know, just something thatI'm passionate about.
I feel like I've grown to thisextent already at my age and I
(30:13):
feel like I'm in a positionwhere I'm grateful and I want to
be able to give back as much aspossible.
Paki (30:18):
That's good and that's going to open up a whole
different mindset, learning thataspect of it.
Meesha (30:23):
Yeah, yeah, I just have a six year old that's currently
in private school.
Okay, so I had to make sure youknow, get her all set up before
I start taking like a littlebit of a step back and taking
more of those types of cases.
Paki (30:40):
Good, for you.
Yeah, awesome, we always askguests about I mean, some of the
best food in Vegas.
I've heard Toronto's gotexcellent food.
Meesha (30:49):
It does.
Paki (30:50):
For sure, but what's your favorite restaurant in Vegas?
Meesha (30:53):
I love Limoncello.
Paki (30:54):
Limoncello's very good.
Yes, I know the owner Sahara.
Right yeah on Sahara.
Meesha (31:00):
But if you're looking for great Italian food, that is
the place to go.
Paki (31:04):
They actually have really good service there.
Yeah, they have amazing servicegreat food, a good cocktail
menu.
You know it's funny.
I just remembered that was thefirst restaurant we went to, I
think during the pandemic right.
It was one of the first ones wewent when the pandemic was
going on, with the masks andeverything.
It was like the firstrestaurant we actually went to.
Oh funny we saw everybody witha mask and taking them off.
(31:24):
It was funny, but I forgot theowner's name there.
Meesha (31:27):
He's a great guy I'm trying to uh giuseppe, just very
nice guy, yeah yeah, shout outto them a great, great food.
Paki (31:31):
I don't think anybody's mentioned that before.
Meesha (31:32):
So yeah, yeah, they know they have um like really fresh
food.
I think they like fly in someof the fish on a regular basis,
so if you haven't checked it out, I recommend it that's a gem.
Paki (31:43):
Yeah, good stuff.
I love, love seafood anditalian food.
Um, I would assume you know thenext step is you taking a class
.
Um, but is anything we forgotto ask you that you want to
leave us out on?
Meesha (31:52):
or no, I think I mean we could be here for layers, yeah,
with the immigration stuff,yeah, so there's, you know, so
much going on in the world, anduh you know I always just tell
everybody.
I think the last note I'll kindof leave off on is like just
you know, question what you readand don't take everything at
face value I think that's that'sreally what it kind of comes
(32:13):
down to is.
You know, like one of myfavorite quotes from one of my
favorite songs is like we chasemisprinted lies.
Paki (32:21):
And yeah.
Meesha (32:21):
so I think that's the biggest thing is just like you
know if you're being toldsomething, because when we read
history books and we look backat what happened in the past,
sometimes we're sitting therequestioning like how did anybody
ever let this happen?
Yeah, I feel like we're kind ofliving in that time right now.
Paki (32:38):
That's great.
I was just talking to my fatherearlier and I'll just say this.
He was saying like do your ownresearch.
Stop listening to other folksand just you know, following
everybody.
Do your own research andactually see if that's the truth
.
Right, Just got to have factcheck stuff Exactly.
I'm glad you brought that up.
Yes, that's good.
Especially being in your field,I know you get a lot of fact
(32:59):
checks, yeah.
Meesha (33:00):
So I used to not always listen to the news because it
was kind of like my way ofstaying in ignorance, bliss.
Paki (33:07):
Yeah.
Meesha (33:07):
But now you know practicing immigration law, and
with all the changes.
I have to watch the news anddrink my coffee.
Paki (33:17):
I can't even imagine it's wild.
So we appreciate you sittingdown with us.
What's some of your socialhandles people can reach out to
you on.
Meesha (33:24):
So my main one is Misha underscore Moulton Law, and
that's's my Instagram.
I'm also on TikTok under VegasAttorney, and then you can go to
my website, which isMishaMoultonLawcom, and you can
give me a call.
Awesome, we appreciate youhanging out with us.
Paki (33:43):
definitely check us out at VegasJourneycom.
And I forgot to shout outBrambomb for connecting us.
So they're in the building.
So I appreciate Alexis forconnecting us.
So they're in the building.
So I appreciate Alexis andTyler and Lindsey I've known
forever.
So shout out to Lindsey, she'snot here with us, but appreciate
Bram Braun for connecting us.
So thanks for your time andcheck us out at
breakerscirclecom.
Chris (33:59):
Thanks a lot.
Paki (34:00):
Thank you, Misha, Good stuff yeah.
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