How to Build a Business That Aligns With Your Legal Skills feat. Rebecca Larson Secord

Rebecca Larson Secord didn’t plan on becoming a real estate lawyer—it just happened. What started as a temporary gig while navigating a tough job market turned into a thriving career in real estate law, and today, Rebecca is the owner of Your Home Legal, a San Diego-based law firm helping buyers, sellers, and investors mitigate risk. In this episode, we visit Rebecca’s journey from law school to entrepreneurship, why real estate law is so much more than transactions, and how she built a business that aligns with her expertise and personal commitments.

LISTEN TO LEARN

  • How Rebecca turned an unexpected opportunity into a successful real estate law career
  • The differences between real estate law across states and what lawyers should know before making a move
  • Why understanding risk mitigation is essential in real estate transactions

WE ALSO DISCUSS

  • Rebecca’s transition from Virginia to California and the challenges of re-qualifying as a lawyer
  • The realities of running a law firm and what it takes to build a business.The importance of mentorship, coaching, and knowing your numbers when starting a practice
  • The importance of mentorship, coaching, and knowing your numbers when starting a practice

Want to start a podcast?

Save time and create faster with KD Creative. KD Creative offers done-for-you podcasting services by launching podcasts for small business owners and editing podcasts for existing podcasters. 

If you’re ready to get your content in the ears of your ideal customers, start working with KD Creative. Visit skiptheboringstuff.com to hire a podcast coach. 

How to Build a Business That Aligns With Your Legal Skills feat. Rebecca Larson Secord

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/6ec5994b"></iframe>

How to Build a Business That Aligns With Your Legal Skills feat. Rebecca Larson SecordHow to Build a Business That Aligns With Your Legal Skills feat. Rebecca Larson Secord

About This Episode

Rebecca Larson Secord’s Background

Rebecca Larson Secord is a real estate risk mitigator, lawyer, and entrepreneur who owns Your Home Legal, a law firm dedicated to helping buyers, sellers, and real estate investors navigate legal complexities in California. A first-generation college and law school graduate, Rebecca’s legal career wasn’t the result of a carefully mapped-out plan. Instead, she adapted, pivoted, and ultimately built a business that aligns with both her expertise and her lifestyle.

"Real estate was never the plan. But I got into it, and I realized I loved it. I loved solving problems, figuring out how to fix title issues, and helping people navigate the legal side of buying and selling property," shares Rebecca Larson Secord on You Are A Lawyer.

Rebecca’s background spans litigation, federal court work, and transactional real estate law. Her experience working in multiple states gave her a unique perspective on how real estate transactions vary across jurisdictions, which ultimately led her to specialize in risk mitigation and contract structuring. Today, she not only runs her own firm but also actively educates clients on how to protect their investments and avoid costly legal mistakes.

Why Law School

Rebecca always knew she wanted to be a lawyer—mostly because everyone told her she should be. Growing up, her strong-willed personality and love for debate made her a natural fit, even though she didn’t initially know what being a lawyer actually entailed.

"I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was a kid. But I didn’t even know what that meant—I just knew people kept saying I should do it," reflects Rebecca Larson Secord on Episode 182 of You Are a Lawyer.

It wasn’t until law school that she started figuring out what legal practice really looked like. Although she was drawn to trial advocacy and moot court, she didn’t leave law school with a clear path. Instead, she stayed open to opportunities, which eventually led her to real estate law—a field she never expected to enter but one that turned out to be the perfect fit.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

For Rebecca, a law degree isn’t just about arguing cases—it’s about problem-solving. Whether she’s helping clients clear up title issues, ensuring proper contract structuring, or advising investors, her legal skills are used daily in ways that extend beyond a traditional litigation practice.

"Real estate law is so much more than contracts. It’s problem-solving, risk management, and helping people make informed decisions that protect their investments," explains Rebecca Larson Secord, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.

She believes that law school doesn’t prepare lawyers for business ownership or practice management, which is why she invested in mentorship and coaching when starting her firm. Today, she encourages other lawyers to think creatively about how they use their degree, whether that’s by transitioning into a niche practice area or applying legal expertise to non-traditional roles.

Lawyer Side Hustles

Rebecca didn’t just build a law firm—she built a business. Unlike many attorneys who focus solely on legal work, she took the time to learn the ins and outs of running a profitable practice, from financial management to marketing. This business-minded approach has allowed her to structure her firm in a way that supports both her professional goals and her personal life.

“I didn’t know how to run a business when I started. Law school doesn’t teach you that. But I surrounded myself with mentors, learned my numbers, and built something that works for me,” shares Rebecca Larson Secord in Episode 182 of You Are a Lawyer.

Outside of her law practice, Rebecca is deeply involved in real estate coaching and professional development. She believes that lawyers—especially those running their own firms—should invest in business education, whether that’s through formal coaching programs or networking with other law firm owners. By treating her practice as both a legal service and a business, she has created a model that allows for long-term sustainability and growth.

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Contact Rebecca Larson Secord

Rebecca is licensed to practice law in California, Virginia, and DC.

Learn more about Rebecca

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Instagram: instagram.com/youarealawyer

Twitter:  twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: youarealawyer.com

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EtXOUNB1_54" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recent Episodes

How To Find a Legal Job in Six Minutes (or less) feat. Jodie Zerega

Jodie Zerega is a legal recruiter and founder of Zerega Consulting, focusing on finding superb candidates for her law firm and corporate clients. In additional work managing a team of ten, Jodie created the Attorney Jobs app where law students and attorneys can find fulfilling legal roles. Jodie shares her journey from considering law school to becoming a director of recruiting at a law firm. She discusses her experience working with legal recruiters and how it inspired her to start her consulting company, Zerega Consulting.
Read and listen here

How To Support a Podcast: Guest Reviews and Ratings feat. Kyla Denanyoh

Exciting news! The You Are Lawyer podcast celebrates 13,000 downloads! 🎉 Join host Kyla Denanyoh as she shares her gratitude and reflects on the podcast's growth in this BONUS episode.
Read and listen here

How To Excel with Different Legal Careers feat. Stephanie Clark

Stephanie Clark, a Southern University Law Center graduate, shares her experience transitioning from law school to practicing law in Florida. She talks about her decision to move to Florida for better job opportunities and the importance of free childcare provided by her parents. Stephanie reflects on her journey of taking the bar exam multiple times and working as a paralegal at a criminal defense firm. Tune in to hear Stephanie's story and insights about the legal profession.
Read and listen here

How To Create an Empire of Freedom with Your Law Degree feat. Aman Costigan

Aman Costigan runs a wellness business, is a partner at Shores Jardine, is a wife, #toddlermom, real estate investor, and master prioritizer. Aman acknowledges that finding time for work and personal life can be challenging, especially for an actively practicing lawyer. Listen as Aman explains why she advocates for lawyers and their mental health and why she is creating an Empire of Freedom.
Read and listen here

How To Change Your Legal Career at Any Age feat. Anne Hamer

In this episode of the You Are A Lawyer podcast, host Kyla interviews Anne Hamer, a family lawyer from Nashville, Tennessee. Anne shares her journey from Memphis to New York City for law school and discusses how she ended up in Nashville. She also talks about the challenges of having a southern accent in a northern law school and how it didn't deter her from pursuing her education. Listen to Anne's story and insights on building a successful law career. "You can make a life change in the middle of it and come up with something new," shares Anne Hamer on the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
Read and listen here

How Executive Coaching Impacts Your Career feat. Laura Terrell

Laura Terrell discusses the importance of challenging our assumptions and the need to advocate for ourselves. Laura earned her master's degree in law school and worked in the public sector before becoming an executive coach and in-house counsel with a non-profit organization. Listen to Episode 103 as Laura explains her career journey and her insights as a lawyer.
Read and listen here

How To Grow Your Law Firm with Informal Networking feat. Brent Nelson

Brent Nelson is an international tax and estate lawyer based in Arizona, specializing in working with high-income international families. What he comically calls “rich people law,” Brent found his niche in tax law during law school and focuses on developing meaningful connections through informal networking and social media.
Read and listen here

How Mindset Impacts the Bar Exam feat. Yohanna Romero Baca

Yohanna Romero Baca, a bar exam coach and former immigration attorney, shares her personal experience of not passing the bar exam and how it inspired her to help others succeed. She discusses her unique approach to bar exam preparation, emphasizing the importance of mindset and effective writing skills. Listen as Yohanna explains how passing the bar exam can open doors to career opportunities.
Read and listen here

How Authenticity Impacts Your Legal Career feat. Bianca Jordan

Bianca Jordan applied to 500 jobs before opening her law firm IN 2014. Now, MANY law firm wants to hire Bianca, but she's found great success helping families and business owners with their immigration paperwork. Bianca has also begun coaching lawyers to become better business owners. Learn about the brazen power of Bianca Jordan on the You Are A Lawyer Podcast.
Read and listen here

How To Stay Motivated in Your Legal Career feat. Luis Scott

Luis Scott, managing partner of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, an eight-figure law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, shares his journey from growing up in a poor family to becoming a successful lawyer and business owner. He discusses the importance of making a massive contribution to his family and how his firm's commitment to excellence has led to its success. Tune in to hear more about his story and his unique perspective on life.
Read and listen here

How Clerkship Transparency Creates Stronger Lawyers feat. Aliza Shatzman

Aliza Shatzman is a judicial clerkship advocate. After a poor clerkship experience, Aliza created the Legal Accountability Project to bring transparency and accountability to the federal clerkship process. Find out how this pioneer and founder ensures the next generation of clerks is protected from bad judges.
Read and listen here

How To Be an Exceptional Lawyer feat. Marco Brown

Marco Brown earns a lot of money and enjoys being a lawyer. But the truth is, Marco didn’t become an exceptional lawyer until he forced clients to pay for the exceptional work completed by his law firm. In Episode 92, Marco Brown discusses the power of communication and why he uses money to create an exceptional law firm.
Read and listen here

©2025 You Are A Lawyer LLC.
All rights reserved.