A coffee with Chris Nelson, Jayva’s Implementation Consultant

Our implementation consultant Chris Nelson is the protagonist of our third ‘coffee with’ blog, following hot-on-the-heels of Rosa Pelaez-Vinuela and Viona Retkowska. With a legal career spanning 21 years and being a qualified real estate, family, litigation, wills and trust attorney, Chris has much to say about the legal profession.

Being a genuinely nice guy with a down-to-earth attitude, you’ll want to read Chris’s non-business-related thoughts on topics ranging from alternative career paths and creative moments, to motivational influences and personal interests, to name a few.

Join Chris in a chamomile tea and learn why he’s a great asset to Jayva…

What’s your business/professional motto?

My professional motto has always been to give 100%. Go into the workplace, put in your best effort, be yourself and be realistic. If you rehearse, you won’t come across as natural. So, be authentic. This motto has been successful for me. It can be for others too.

How do you make contacts which are useful for business?

I used to go to lots of networking and city planning events, and charity fundraisers when working as an attorney in New York City, but I haven’t done so since Covid happened and I joined Jayva. In those earlier times, I was a popular attorney and, as such, I managed to build up a healthy database of contacts. To be truthful, I’m much more of a family man these days. I get out and about less than I used to. I tend to stay home with my two kids who are six and four years old. Family time is precious. There’s scant available time for face-to-face professional gatherings.

Which individual has inspired you the most in your business life and in what way?

An old friend of mine was a judge named Peter Kuper. He was the nicest man you could ever meet. We were first introduced to each other when I was appearing before him in court as an attorney and he was presiding over my cases. No matter who you were, Peter gave you respect. Because of this, he got respect right back. In my years as an attorney, I’ve seen judges with no control and a total lack of respect. It leads to complete bedlam in the courtroom. This never happened with Peter. He had total control of everybody, stemming from mutual respect.

What’s your proudest achievement in business?

My biggest achievement, by far, is being a recipient of the NYSBA’s SLAPI Program for my dedication to public interest in New York State. I was one of only five recipients given this accolade. It was a truly special moment as it’s awarded for dedication to public interest. It felt like giving back to the local community and getting recognised for these philanthropic services. I never asked to be considered for the award. I was just going about my business helping children in foster care and I got noticed for doing so. It was a very memorable moment in my career.

Other notable achievements have been completing my law degree, securing my law license and being admitted to the Bar Associations in two states, these being New York and Massachusetts. I’m actually the first person in my family to earn a law degree. No one else has progressed further than a two-year degree, including my parents, both of whom went to art school. Coming from a poor neighbourhood and finishing a four-year degree was no mean feat. I’m proud of breaking the mold.

What do you think makes Jayva different?

Without hesitation, it’s the people that make Jayva different from other employers. The people here are amazing and salt of the earth. We’re eager to remain in this grounded way and not change. Despite our company’s phenomenal growth, during which we’ve expanded into a more corporate entity, we’re still true to ourselves. That’s the Jayva culture and it’s hard to find in our industry. We’re able to maintain our culture as we seek to recruit like-minded people.

When you’re employed by bigger organizations, you’re effectively just a number and it’s nigh on impossible to stand out. During my stint as a supervising attorney, I managed a group of fifteen people and they wanted to be on my team because I recognised and rewarded their hard work, and stayed true to myself.

How does Jayva benefit from the unique skillset you bring to the business?

Some of Jayva’s staff have worked as paralegals and bookkeepers in prior roles elsewhere. As explained already, I’ve been a practising attorney. I’ve sat on the other side of the fence and can see marketplace challenges from the perspective of clients. I’ve been there and done that. It’s extremely helpful to understand aspects of clients’ mindsets and issues in this way, as I’m able to provide superior-quality support.

It’s worth noting here that America is different to the UK and Europe. Every state follows different laws. To practise in more than one state, you need to be licensed in each one. I’m licensed in two states which is a pretty big deal. I understand differences in law right down to Louisiana and the Napoleonic Code, to New York’s statutory law, to Massachusetts’ common law. I can see things from the client perspective; the person who’s paying the bill. I know what’s going on in their heads and why they act as they do. I can support clients fully by assisting them in overcoming problems, talking their lingo and knowing their varying personalities, from having experienced it all myself when litigating.

Give one tip for a successful business.

To be successful in business, never focus on the numbers. In my opinion, numbers are simply vanity figures. Instead, focus on the achievements, whether big or small, here and there. That’s because numbers will fluctuate up and down. By concentrating on achievements overall, it gives you a closer perspective, and allows you to track and monitor palpable progress.

Do you dress up or down for business?

An easy question, it’s permanent dress down for me. I mostly work from my home office, roughly 95% of the time since Covid. On the 5% of the time I’m visiting client sites, I still dress down but it’s smart casual wear, including jeans, but not sneakers. Previously, it was suits and ties all the way. I actually haven’t worn a suit and tie for around ten years now, aside from weddings or special occasions.

If you hadn’t gone down your chosen career path, what would you be doing instead?

My dad is a contractor and my mom worked in the mayor’s office in NYC as an office manager. In my youth, my parents encouraged me to become an attorney. I too aspired to become someone like Perry Mason who was a strong role model to my younger self.

When choosing my career path, however, I could have selected law or medicine. The reason I erred on the side of law was it’s too long in school studying medicine which is too long not making money. I only ever wanted to be one or the other – attorney or doctor. If not law, then, it’d have been medicine.

What item(s) do you always have with you?

I always have my kids in my heart. Their photo is my laptop’s screen saver image. They’re my entire purpose for everything in life. Logan and Mia are my absolute world.

At what time of day are you most creative or inspired?

I’m definitely a morning person. After lunch, it’s not unusual for me to suffer a slump and feel a little tired.

When do you take your coffee break – morning, afternoon, evening? And where do you take it?

I don’t take coffee breaks because work’s busy. I tend to work through the day without stopping. I drink on the go.

Espresso, americano, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, flat white, frappe – what’s your coffee of choice?

I’m a tea drinker. I prefer the herbal variety, with chamomile being a favourite. I used to drink lots of coffee. Coffee drinking comes with the territory of having a Spanish background. My mom used to give me coffee to drink as a child. When I was working in New York, I noticed I’d crash at 4pm each day and had to drink more coffee to keep awake. I decided to detox on coffee, over the course of a month, and cut out the milk as well. I feel all the better for it now.

How do you relax outside of work?

I exercise loads as this helps me to relax. I do everything from cardio, to weightlifting, to treadmill running, to mountain biking. I enjoy riding my motorcycle or going for drives too.

What’s the most inspirational book you’ve ever read?

I haven’t read for a long time which I’m going to blame young kids for. I read with them at bedtime and watch what they want to watch on TV.

What’s your favourite film?

Due to Logan and Mia’s TV preferences, I’ve watched the majority of Disney’s films. Personally, any movie featuring action, sci fi or horror gets my vote.