Page 20 - Palm Beach Vol 7 No 1
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AALM: When did you  rst know you wanted to become an attorney? What drew you to this career?
Carr: I didn’t aspire to enter the profes- sional legal community until I was con- fronted with the privileged decision of de- ciding between law school and a doctoral program. However, I appreciate innovative thinking especially when it centers around serving the communities who need bright line thinkers and passionate leaders, and I believed a law degree had more opportuni- ties to shape me into an innovative thinker this way. So, I entered law school on faith, assuming that if I was accepted, that was the path meant for me.  e beautiful honor of being an attorney is the ability to always serve members of your community and the power to improve the lives of many. Ultimately, the opportunities to do this are endless as a lawyer because the autonomy of this profession is profound.
AALM: What drew you to your current  rm? How would you describe the culture there? How would you describe your role within the  rm?
Carr: A er honorably serving my com- munity as an assistant public defender for two years, I recognized a need in the com-
munity for an advocate who had a preven- tative approach to addressing legal issues and a passion for individualized attention to the pain points people o en experi- ence when they are confronted with a le- gal challenge. So, I created D. Carr Law, a  rm dedicated to defending people when criminal arrests or charges threaten to de- stroy their bright futures or reputations.  e culture of my  rm is to educate and empower community members. My role as the owner and innovator behind this pre- ventative approach requires I  nd unique ways to gain access to community audienc- es so I may show them the magnitude of all they have to protect, why legal challenges threaten to destroy those values, how un- derstanding the law can reduce the risk of ever facing a legal challenge, and what to do if a legal challenge does a ect their lives.
AALM: Where do you see your career going? Partner track? Going solo? A cor- porate job?  e bench or a position as a government attorney?
Carr: I see myself expanding my law  rm by recruiting employees who share D. Carr Law’s mission to improve people’s lives and creatively reach community au- diences. I would also enjoy developing educational initiatives that would educate our rising leaders on the risks associated with legal challenges and the importance of developing positive and meaningful re- lationships and implementing them under the umbrella of high school diversity pro- grams and undergraduate student a airs programs.
AALM: Of the cases you’ve worked on or witnessed, what has stood out most in your mind? A particularly di cult case? A tactic or demeanor from one of the in- volved attorneys?  e client?
Carr: Early on in my two-year commit- ment as a public defender, I was designated as standby co-counsel for an individual representing himself during a misdemean- or criminal trial. My role was to answer any questions he raised regarding his un- derstanding of the law, but without provid- ing legal advice. He was found not guilty
and I recall taking a photograph with him a erwards, with him smiling from ear-to- ear. He was incredibly grateful for us, but he seemed unbothered by being unrepre- sented. It was a profound experience be- cause it has always served as a reminder of how little our community members know and understand the legal process and jus- tice system. I believe if people understood how quickly legal challenges can negatively a ect a person’s legacy and future aspira- tions, they might see a need to improve upon their misunderstandings and act preventatively.  e lack of basic under- standing is unfortunate for many, but not impossible to cure.
AALM: With technology and an ever- global world, how do you see the legal pro- fession evolving over your career? Do you believe this will be positive or negative?
Carr: Technology is creating a posi- tive opportunity for the development of innovative business models and strate- gies to reach more people, e ciently and e ectively.  e legal profession promotes its members to maintain substantial and meaningful contact with clients, judicial representatives, and court personnel.  e challenge is in  nding the communication methods that are most valued by the types of clients we serve. If you want to show potential clients how much you care, you have to consider what methods of caring they appreciate, and advanced technology can help do that. So it shouldn’t be feared, but welcomed with excitement.
AALM: What do you enjoy doing out- side of work? Hobbies? Sports?
Carr: I enjoy the most important aspects of my life that inspire me.  is includes be- ing a mother, wife, daughter, writer, and artist. I use these various aspects to chan- nel energy and emotions to act creatively.
D. Carr Law
3305 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 (954) 800-3464 www.dcarrlaw.com
RISING STAR Protecting the Future
Devika Carr
20 | www.AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com


































































































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