David Achord has always believed that meaningful progress comes from preparation, curiosity, and a willingness to keep moving forward.
After earning his law degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, he passed the California Bar Examination on his first attempt. That achievement marked the beginning of a legal career that has now spanned more than 20 years. Along the way, he has helped recover more than $100 million for clients while building a reputation for clear communication and thoughtful advocacy.
As his career grew, so did his interests. Rather than limiting himself to one field, David began exploring new challenges. He has spent more than eight years researching cryptocurrency and blockchain technology because he enjoys understanding how emerging ideas can shape the future. That same curiosity led him to teach himself guitar by ear after spending more than two decades playing drums.
David’s desire to build something lasting extends beyond his legal work. He founded Shoes for Kids, a charitable initiative that has already delivered more than 500 pairs of shoes to children in Africa through his personal contributions. He is also developing Water for Life, an initiative focused on providing long-lasting water filtration systems to communities without reliable access to clean drinking water.
Away from work, David enjoys fishing throughout the San Diego area, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with his two boxer dogs. Whether he is learning a new skill, helping a client, or growing a nonprofit, he approaches every opportunity with patience, consistency, and the belief that small actions repeated over time can lead to meaningful results.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early with reviewing my calendar and prioritizing the most important tasks before emails begin to take over. Every case deserves careful attention, so I like to focus on work that requires the most concentration first. Throughout the day, I make time to communicate with clients because I have learned that keeping people informed is just as important as solving legal problems. In the evening, I often shift gears by reading about cryptocurrency, practicing guitar, or planning work for one of my nonprofit projects. Having different interests helps me stay energized instead of feeling burned out.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start small. I think people sometimes wait until they have a perfect plan before taking action. I would rather learn while building. That’s how Shoes for Kids began. Instead of waiting until every detail of a nonprofit was finished, I started helping children first. The same approach is shaping Water for Life. Once an idea becomes real, you can improve it over time.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m interested in blockchain technology and the ways it can improve transparency and security. I’ve spent more than eight years studying the space because I think we’re still in the early stages of understanding what the technology can become. I enjoy separating long-term innovation from short-term headlines.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I make a list every morning and rank everything by importance instead of urgency. If I finish the biggest task first, the rest of the day usually falls into place.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t confuse preparation with progress. Study hard and prepare well, but don’t wait until you feel completely confident before taking action. Most opportunities come with some uncertainty.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think people spend too much time trying to optimize everything before they even begin. Whether it’s starting a business, learning an instrument, or taking on a new challenge, most people would benefit more from taking imperfect action than creating the perfect plan.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Stay curious. Some of the best opportunities in my life came from simply asking questions. That curiosity led me to study cryptocurrency years ago, teach myself guitar by ear, and create charitable organizations that I never imagined building earlier in my career.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I simplify everything. I’ll step away from my desk for a few minutes or focus on one task instead of ten. Sometimes I’ll take my dogs for a walk or spend time near the water. Fishing has always helped me clear my head because it forces me to slow down and be patient.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Consistent communication has probably had the biggest impact. Clients appreciate honesty, even when the news isn’t what they hoped to hear. Returning calls, explaining the process, and following through builds trust over time. That trust creates long-term relationships, and those relationships are more valuable than any single case.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I assumed clients mainly wanted legal answers. I eventually realized they also wanted reassurance and regular updates. There were times when I focused so much on the legal work that I didn’t communicate as often as I should have. I changed that by making communication part of my process instead of treating it as an afterthought. It made me a better attorney and strengthened my relationships with clients.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d love to see more professionals create nonprofits that naturally align with the work they already do. When your expertise and your community efforts support each other, you can often create a much bigger impact than either could achieve alone.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft OneNote has become one of my favorite tools. I keep research, case notes, ideas, and long-term projects organized in one place. Whether I’m outlining a nonprofit initiative or saving articles about blockchain technology, I like having everything searchable and easy to find.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I’ve gone back to several times is Atomic Habits by James Clear. What I like about it is that it focuses on small improvements instead of dramatic changes. That’s true in almost every part of life. You don’t build a successful legal career, learn an instrument, or launch a nonprofit overnight. You do it by showing up consistently and getting a little better every day. That mindset has influenced the way I approach both my professional and personal goals.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched The Lincoln Lawyer. Beyond the legal stories, I enjoyed seeing how important preparation, communication, and understanding people are to practicing law. Every client has a different story, and every situation requires a different approach. While television naturally adds drama, it still highlights the importance of thinking critically, staying adaptable, and never assuming you have all the answers before you begin.
Key learnings
- Progress usually comes from taking the first step rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
- Consistent communication builds stronger professional relationships than expertise alone.
- Curiosity creates opportunities to grow beyond a single career or industry.
- Small, repeated actions often produce more meaningful long-term results than dramatic changes.
- Building projects that serve others can create an impact that lasts far beyond a professional career.