Meet Kelly Bagla, Esq. an international award-winning business attorney based in San Diego, California. Kelly was born and raised in England and emigrated to the U.S. after completing her graduation from the United Kingdom. Upon her arrival in the United States, all her childhood dream of practicing law became a reality. Soon after completing her law school in California, Kelly started working for the largest international law firm in the world, Baker McKenzie LLP, where she advised her domestic and international clients on corporate and securities matters. Working for the “Boss Man” was not Kelly’s dream so after some time, she decided to walk away from her secured salaried role to start her own law firm.
In 2009 Kelly founded Bagla Law Firm, APC, which became one of the most trusted names in business law within a decade. Kelly has also established GoLegalYourself.com, an online company helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses with proper legal documentation, particularly for entrepreneurs who bootstrap their startups.
Kelly is an author of four books (Go Legal Yourself, First Edition, Go Own Yourself, Doing Business In the United States, and Go Legal Yourself, Second Edition), and also contributes to Homeland Magazine and San Diego Veterans Magazine on a monthly basis. Kelly is working on her fifth book which will be available in November 2022 from Amazon called Legal Pearls, Pearls Of Wisdom For Avoiding Business Litigation.
Kelly takes her personal life as seriously as her work. She was named ‘Ms. Southern California’ in the 2010 natural bodybuilding competition, and she still holds her professional bodybuilding card. Kelly still wakes up early to start her day, which also allows her to meet the needs of her overseas clients hailing from different time zones.
Helping Entrepreneurs with Legal Solutions
Each of Kelly’s enterprises is fully committed to informing, equipping, and inspiring entrepreneurs to recognize opportunities to run, start, and grow their own businesses. Starting a new business or entering an entirely new market is not easy. In the United States, starting a business needs good planning, making critical financial decisions, and completing a lot of legal activities, which can get very confusing for foreign-based companies.
Bagla Law Firm offers a unique suite of services, including but not limited to; Business Formation, Asset Protection for Real Estate Investors, Assisting Foreign based businesses, Mergers and Acquisitions, Trademarking, and Offshore Asset Protection. Bagla Law Firm serves a wide range of clientele in and outside of the United States.
Kelly loves helping international entrepreneurs establish their presence in the U.S. She works with entrepreneurs to set up their legal entities in the United States. Kelly says, “Whether they are launching a new business or expand their existing business in the USA, I can help. The laws in this country are complex, and those who want to establish businesses here must do it properly. United States is a highly litigious country, and attracting a lawsuit is relatively easy if individuals or businesses fail to protect themselves adequately.”
Most of Kelly’s clients are domestic and international entrepreneurs, business leaders, CEOs, and investors in the early stages of establishing their companies.
Her global clients are mainly entrepreneurs who come from a wide range of industries, ranging from digital entertainment to healthcare products to cyber security.
Kelly says, “My international clients, in particular, trust Bagla Law Firm because I’m an immigrant myself. I came to the U.S. for many of the same reasons international entrepreneurs want to come here. The possibilities for business owners are endless.”
“In launching my own firm, I experienced the unique challenges of setting up a U.S.-based business, which can be complicated. This first-hand experience puts me on the same footing as my international clients who know that I’ve personally done this myself for multiple businesses I own. It takes an entrepreneur to recognize the needs of another entrepreneur”– She added further.
The Journey
While growing up as the youngest of seven children, Kelly witnessed her father’s struggle and accomplishments. He worked in a factory for years, saving and planning the entire time. Eventually, he was able to buy the same factory he worked in and became his own boss and the first business owner in his family.
Kelly saw the amount of hard work her father put in and the sense of pride he had after owing the business. Remembering that incident, Kelly says, “I knew I not only wanted to do the same, but I wanted to help others experience that sense of accomplishment and independence.”
Kelly’s primary motivating factor is her desire to protect and aid those who are brave enough to dream big. Whether it’s through her work as a legal advisor to new companies, when she is writing a book to educate people on how to protect themselves while setting up new ventures, or when she is hosting a podcast (Go Legal Yourself Podcast – get the APP, it’s FREE) to educate future entrepreneurs, Kelly has done everything to help others achieve their dreams.
Awards and Accolades
Kelly has been recognized for innovating the legal industry and making a positive impact on entrepreneurs. Kelly has an impressive list of awards and accolades: L.A. Dreams Magazine recognized Kelly as one of the Top Women Entrepreneurs.
She was nominated as one of the Business Women of the Year by San Diego Business Journal and selected as one of the Top Lawyers by Marquis Who’s Who, Attorney of the Month by San Diego Attorney Journal, Top 20 Businesswomen to Watch in 2020 by Insights Success Magazine, Top Transformational Woman Leader by Industry Wired Magazine.
She is also a winner of 2020 and 2021 Lawyers of Distinction, Best of 2020 Oceanside Business Services Award, 2020 Legal Awards for Best International M&A Law Firm USA, Corporate Attorney of the Year, California, by Acquisition International, Business Legal Professional of the Year USA by Corporate Live Wire.
Additionally, Kelly has been featured in several Cover Stories, including; the Most Recommended Law Firms to Watch in 2021 by The Business Fame Magazine, Top Law Firms to Watch in 2021 by Tycoon Success Magazine, Top Law Firms to Watch in 2022 by Mirror Review Magazine, and 10 Best International Law Firms to Watch in 2022 by the Inc Magazine. Kelly is also a Podcast host of Go Legal Yourself- top 20 business law podcasts, Judge on Everyday Edisons Emmy award-winning T.V. show, and a well-known T.V. personality and Speaker.
When Learning is Key
Even with such a busy schedule, Kelly never misses an opportunity to learn from successful business owners who came before her.
“I listen to a lot of audible books while I’m working out or walking my dogs. I am always looking for inspiration and looking for ways to improve,” Kelly says.
She credits books like Secret of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar and Grant Cardone’s Secrets of Selling for helping to establish and grow her business.
Suggestions for Younger Self
As the Queen of Business Law® Kelly suggests to young female entrepreneurs that the business landscape has changed massively over the past years, and it is now more accessible for people looking to become their own boss. She says, looking to become their own boss. She says, “Women, in particular, must believe in themselves and stay true to who they are, and never compromise on ethics and values. Confidence is the key to mastering business and life, and the only accessory anyone needs.”
Picture of the Future
When asked about the future, Kelly says, “In early January 2023, I’ll be launching a new business coaching company called Pitbulls ‘n Pearls – The Coaching Company for people who Love Life and Mean Business! Pitbulls ‘n Pearls offers a comprehensive program that teaches people not only how to start their dream business, but our team of successful business experts takes people step by step through all of the personal growth skill sets and positive mindset training necessary for building confidence and mastering personal life and business.”