Alana (Chana) Yakovlev - Founding Partner, Walk Free Law
Alana (Chana) Yakovlev
Alana is the founding partner of Walk Free Law, with office locations throughout California, New York and New Jersey. The law firm practices criminal defense work, mental health advocacy and civil rights, in addition to select business litigation.
Alana Yakovlev has always excelled at academics, attending college at the young age of 16 and graduating with honors. Alana graduated from New York Law School after attending UC Berkeley and UCLA for her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Alana has received numerous awards and honors for her academics and is also admitted to practice law in California, New York and New Jersey and the U.S. District Courts of New York (Southern and Eastern Districts) and U.S. District Courts of California (Eastern, Northern and Central Districts).
Prior to founding Walk Free Law, Alana Yakovlev served as a trial lawyer for several firms, a legal analyst for Bloomberg, clerked for a New York Supreme Court judge and interned for the District Attorney’s office. Alana Yakovlev also maintains an of counsel position with the premier criminal defense firm, Spodek Law Group.
I’m so excited for you to connect with Alana, check out her work, and follow along as she continues to give a voice for others, and reminding them that in the darkness, there is always light.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
Hi, I am Alana (Chana) Yakovlev. Mother of 5. Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Mental Health Advocate, Anti-Cancer Warrior, and a Chossid.
How did you get started?
I started doing pro bono work for the mentally ill and poor back in Los Angeles in 2010. It was the most rewarding experience of my life. I loved being able to be that voice for someone. I loved reminding people that in the darkness, there is light.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
The Rebbe and the deep rooted wisdom that if you can change yourself YOU CAN change the world. Life has been a struggle and a journey. From graduating from law school, to becoming Observant as an Orthodox Jew, to finding my roots, to dealing with the trauma of dysfunctional family experiences. I wanted change. I wanted it from within. G-d has been my guiding light and passion, to help others, help themselves.
When I started my not-for profit organization for cancer patients, I knew this was my baby. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 in early 2019. This was a game changer. We traveled the world in search for answers. We are still searching. She is my champion, my inspiration. I saw how much alternative medicine and advocacy was needed. It changed my world to see how a sick person also needed a voice. From groceries, to emailing medical records, to a simple hug and a prayer. Medical research is a critical component, faith, believing in yourself, taking care of your spiritual and emotional well being. And very important is nutrition, nutrition, nutrition.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest passion is waking up in the morning and knowing that my time is limited. What can I accomplish today that tomorrow may not be possible? How do I balance my time to be present with my kids? How many phone calls can I make, to make some waves, change someone’s life?
It could be in the middle of the night and I am not an emergency doctor but, routinely, people have turned to me for emergencies. As a criminal defense attorney for over 13 years, I have received numerous awards and recognitions. The BIGGEST reward, is helping someone be free, from inside – out. They say a prisoner cannot free themselves. Well, if I can help make that process easier, I hope somewhere up above, that freedom is coming my way too. It’s a daily struggle, but I am living my dream.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
My blue-print is connecting to G-d. I am in my element when I am teaching a Torah concept, it is an experience. I want to deeply internalize it, apply it, live it. I want those polaroid moments of insight and understanding to last forever. When I am in a courtroom, bursting with passion from my seems, my heart thumping, looking at each juror dead in the eye, I am happy because I stand for truth. I stand for what I believe in. I have a voice. Everyone should have their voice be heard and have the courage to speak up. The true joy I feel is love. Love for my husband, for my children, love for a fellow man or woman that simply needs some guidance. I also love cooking and making something out of nothing.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I wake up in the morning and say 3 things I am grateful for. I always try to add more to the menu. I will not work without my daily prayers being said. I need G-d to be on my side, to be the super warrior woman mom advocate. I also need my wellness, my meditation, my Qigong. It is very liberating to let go of stress.
My weekly gatherings with women give me life, when we learn, we feed off each other, off each other’s lives and energy through our experiences.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
I wouldn’t believe that it would be possible. But I would still have the courage to try.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
Who is a Chossid? If today you are a little bit better today than yesterday…that is a Chossid. I always ask myself, especially when I am not motivated and not everything goes right, is who AM I doing this for? Where am I? Not physically where am I, spiritually, am I doing what I was sent to this world to do?
Even when I do not feel like it, I muster up courage and strength to show up and say, “Yes, I am here.” Maybe I haven’t figured it out yet, where exactly is “here”, but 90% of success is just showing up, right?
What is your biggest dream?
To help cancer patients win their fight. To help others find their purpose. To connect. TO be free.
To learn more and connect with Alana visit her website https://walkfreelaw.com and https://www.livingwatersfoundation.com
Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here