Based in Yorba Linda, California, attorney Allan E. Perry leads a successful litigation practice as the managing attorney. Over the course of nearly three decades in law, he has conducted more than 50 trials and has obtained many excellent results for his clients. His present goal, however, is to retire from the practice of law and take on a full-time role as a senior church pastor, and he is near completion of an MA in theology at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Allan E. Perry has preached dozens of sermons at his home church and at other congregations across Virginia. For more than 25 years, he actively participated in a large homeless ministry in Santa Ana, California and preached on a weekly basis at the Salvation Army, men’s resident facility in Santa Ana. He has attended several mission trips to Panama, Uganda and Mexico, and has served as a Deacon and Drama Director at his home church. In Virginia, he started a ministry, called SOS (Serving Our Savior) that serves the financial needy in Louisa County.
Mr. Perry graduated among the top 8 percent in his class from the Western State University School of Law. He served as the Phi Alpha Delta President at University of Arkansas School of Law, as the Student Bar Association class representative, and he was the associate editor of the Western State’s Law Review.
Beginning as an associate attorney in Huntington Beach in the late 1990s he gained practical experience handling all aspects of litigation, including trials, for a busy law firms. Subsequently taking on a litigation attorney role at a busy Westminster, California, firm, Mr. Perry obtained a $481,000 jury verdict in a case where the defendant, an insurance company, refused to consider even a $2,000 settlement. Over the course of his career, Mr. Perry’s outstanding verdicts were published in Jury Verdicts Weekly on 18 occasions and he has become known for his comprehensive courtroom knowledge and skills.
Allan Perry is not just a skilled and experienced trial attorney, he truly cares about his clients and he fights very hard to achieve the best results possible. He also deeply cares about helping those that are in financial need.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually spend several hours each day handling legal matters. In addition, I spend several hours reading and studying the Bible and other texts and writing papers for my seminary classes. I am also currently leading a men’s Bible study at my home church. When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking, boating, waterskiing, snow skiing, fishing, and playing pickleball.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Every week, I am researching legal matters and writing legal briefs about various topics. I am also reading the Bible and various other books, preparing a Bible study and writing papers for my seminary classes. All of this writing takes research and creative writing skills.
What’s one trend that excites you?
From the legal perspective, people in general are inclined to fight for truth and justice when they feel that they have been treated unfairly or unjustly. I am very happy to help them with this pursuit and to bring them satisfaction, contentment, and justice. From the spiritual standpoint, I believe that there is already a heightened interest in the Bible and in the great news of Jesus Christ. People are looking for answers and stability in this crazy world, and I want to help as many people find the answers that they’re looking for. Jesus is the way, the truth and the only way to have eternal life in paradise.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I get up early, and I don’t need a ton of sleep. Also, I don’t like to waste time, and I want to accomplish as much as possible in every day that God has given me on this earth.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stay focused on the big picture and stay obedient to the Almighty God. Sin and disobedience is counterproductive and leads to disappointment, discouragement, and a lack of direction and blessing from God.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Making money is achieving success and notoriety in your career is NOT the ultimate goal. You can’t take the money with you, and your notoriety is temporary, and people will forget about you. Jesus said that we should focus our time and effort on laying up treasures in heaven. Doing good, helping those in need, serving God, telling people about the good news of Jesus Christ is really all that matters.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) That kind of sums it up. At all times, we should be rejoicing and happy, thanking God and praying always. That’s what God wants and that’s what we should do, regardless of our circumstances. It is not always easy, for sure, especially when bad things are happening in your life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Pray for sure. Go for a walk and talk to God.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I’ve always gotten up early and have not required a lot of sleep. I try to accomplish as much as possible each and every day, but I realize that I also need downtime and R&R to be healthy and ultimately more productive. Most of all, I continuously pray and seek the Lord’s help and guidance. That’s the biggest key to my success.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I haven’t won every case, but I always learn from my failures. If I made any mistakes, I learn from those mistakes and try to never make them again. But I HATE losing, and I usually feel very down and discouraged for a short period of time afterwards. I want SO badly to achieve great results for my clients, and I put my all into every case that goes to trial. Ultimately, I come to the realization that I did my very best and I cannot always control everything that happens during a trial and cannot control the third-party finder of fact (judge or jury). A strong faith in the Lord has always kept me grounded and generally very positive and hopeful.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I don’t know if there is a particular piece of software, but I’m constantly checking my emails and texts, and I try to respond quickly. Also, my Google calendar is a must. I used to carry around my physical calendar everywhere I went. That is no longer a need with the internet and Google calendar.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I think the best book series that I have ever read is the Hunger Games books. My family and I read those and could not put them down. They were very well-written, and movies weren’t bad either.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
My all-time favorite movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. I saw that movie for the first time in college on the big screen. It hit me so hard that I was in a funk for a week, that’s all I could think about. I’ve now seen it probably 30 times, and I cry every time. The movie gets to me. And yes, my favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart.
Key learnings
- Work hard.
- Stay focused.
- Be a good steward of what God has given you.
- Don’t compromise your morals.
- Remember that laying up treasures in Heaven is really all that matters.