CLEVELAND — 37-year-old Arleesha Wilson is a mother of two, a 2003 graduate of Cleveland’s John Hay High School and the owner of her own law firm.
The accomplishment is notable as a Black woman because women of color only hold 3 percent of law firm leadership positions, according to the American Bar Association.
“Culture is very important to me, and I have always found that I was not someone who just fit the mold,” says Wilson. “I felt like I wanted to create an environment where someone like me could exist without ruffling feathers.”
Wilson has branded herself “The People’s Esquire,” serving clients who fall into what she calls the “Justice Gap.” It’s the population of people who will not qualify for Legal Aid but do not have the means to hire an expensive attorney.
“I service everyday people who have everyday struggles and who just need the help,” explains Wilson.
TEARS FLOW AFTER OFFICIALLY BECOMING A LAWYER
The Cleveland native earned both a law degree and a master’s in urban planning from Cleveland State University in 2017. The next year she passed the bar and was licensed to practice in the state of Ohio, joining a profession where as of 2021, only 4.7 percent of its members were Black.
Tears began to flow as she recited Ohio’s Attorney’s Oath surrounded by her family. Writing on Facebook, “I cried as (I) thought of my hubby and my babies who witnessed my blood, sweat and tears and held me up throughout this entire process. I cried as I thought of all my future clients who will trust me with their legal needs.”
THE START OF THE LAW OFFICE OF ARLEESHA WILSON
After officially becoming a lawyer, Wilson fielded calls from people in need of legal assistance all while working fulltime in the non-profit sector. As demand for her services increased, The People’s Esquire transitioned to working fulltime at her law firm in January 2020, two months before the COVID-19 shutdown.
“I probably lost about seven thousand dollars in revenue for the month of March, and I was like ‘what did I just do,’” Wilson shares.
Persevering through adversity by depending on her savings during low months, Wilson was able to grow her business during the pandemic housing crisis due to her real estate background.
“I think that working in this particular niche was something that allowed me to really soar,” she said.
THE JUMPSTART
By December of 2020, Wilson won the $10K grand prize at JumpStart’s Fall 2020 Entrepreneur Showcase. She delivered the winning pitch after participating in the organization’s 12-week small business accelerator.
“It was just affirmation that my vision was something that people could stand behind,” Wilson says.
THE PEOPLE’S ESQUIRE IN ACTION
Cleveland resident Brenda Starks is the latest beneficiary of The Law Office of Arleesha Wilson. Starks hired Wilson after losing the purchase agreement to the home she was renting to own, sparking a financial dispute with the property’s owner.
Starks, who makes a living as a school bus driver, says without Wilson, she would be homeless.
“I didn’t have a case,” Starks explains. “I had lost my purchase agreement and all I had was my bank records. By the grace of God, I had my paper trail and Arleesha was able to come in, produce all the paperwork that I had, and we won our case.”
Wilson says she has managed close to 500 legal matters since starting her firm.
“If you do good work, people will come,” adds Wilson’s mentor Alicia Graves, a lawyer who also owns her own law firm. “Arleesha is an example of what you can do if you work hard, and you stay focused.”
KEEP DREAMING
Growing up in the city’s Buckeye neighborhood, the girl who dreamed of one day becoming a judge, now dreams of growing her business into a national multi-million-dollar law firm. Wilson’s goal is to assist more clients as The People’s Esquire.
“Dreams do come true,” says Wilson. “You don't have to have it all figured out. You can be imperfect and still live your dream.”
For more information on The People's Esquire, click HERE.
Editor's Note: The following video is from an unrelated story.