Business

Esmeralda Baez, How To Stand Out In a Male Dominated Industry.

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2022

You can find almost anything on the internet, for free, if you have enough time. There are millions of pages on public relations alone. Many sites promise to do the work for free (or a small charge). I would suggest avoiding them. Finding and keeping media contacts, earning how to craft pitches and compelling stories, isn’t free and doesn’t come cheap.

Meet Esmeralda Baez, A public relations expert and entrepreneur who has been part of many successful national campaigns as well as international projects with major record labels.

How did you get into the industry?

I originally got into the PR world by chance. Years ago while I was working an event, I was offered a position at a PR agency who needed help with their latin division. I took on the role and quickly progressed to being a publicist after signing several new clients.

What traits make a great publicist?

A good sense of judgement, taste, timing and the ability to know when to step it up and pull it back. Being honest with your clients is extremely important as well. Reading people helps too, and I learned very early in my career that my instincts tend to be right so I will always follow them.

How is your firm different from other PR agencies and how does social media connects with it?

The unique thing about Elite Vision Media is that we can represent anyone in any field.

Social media plays either a huge part of a clients campaign or a very small part depending on the comfort level of the client. We can completely set up a client on all social media platforms and guide them through keeping content relevant and entertaining. However there are some clients who refuse to engage in the social media world and we also support that position.

What’s next for the Business in the near future?

With each year we are in business, I see the opportunity for more growth and expansion.
I would love to continue creating more partnerships. We are interested in being part of the development process of new talents. and we definitely want to remain committed to representing our clients to the best of our abilities while still having fun.

Your biggest success and achievement?

I have been fortunate enough to find success in this field mostly due to my instincts and ability to navigate dynamic situations. And of course there have been mistakes along the way but each mistake has made me better and wiser in the end.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable pointing out any specific “achievements” but I am proud to say that most of the clients I have represented have been via referrals (word to mouth) or because they like me as a person and respect my work ethic.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

6 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.