Two Worlds, One Mission
If someone had told me early in my career that one day I’d go from performing surgeries to helping run a law firm, I might’ve laughed. My life for decades revolved around scalpels, operating rooms, and patient charts. I trained in otolaryngology—ear, nose, and throat surgery—and ran a private practice in Orange County, California for over 30 years. But life has a way of leading us down new roads, and today, I serve as CEO and CFO of ATR Law Group, a practice my wife and I co-founded in Phoenix, Arizona. She’s an immigration attorney. Together, we built something we’re proud of. And surprisingly, my years in medicine prepared me well for this transition.
Running a law firm might seem like an entirely different world from practicing medicine, but in reality, the core values are very similar. Both demand discipline, precision, empathy, and trust. I’ve learned that whether you’re helping someone breathe better or helping them navigate immigration law, people want to feel safe. They want to be heard. And they want to know they’re in capable hands.
The Value of Precision and Process
In surgery, you don’t guess. You follow protocol, you check your work, and you make sure every detail is addressed before you make a move. That same discipline has helped me build systems inside our law firm. From client intake to case management to financial operations, I’ve brought that medical mindset of clarity and consistency into every corner of the business.
Medicine also taught me how to handle complexity. In surgery, complications can arise without warning. You learn to stay calm, assess quickly, and adapt. In the legal world, cases shift. Policies change. Emotions run high. Being able to take a step back and look at the big picture—while staying grounded in the details—has helped us manage our clients’ needs more effectively and compassionately.
Client Care Is Universal
People often think of law firms as cold or transactional. But I’ve always believed that whether you’re treating a patient or representing a client, the relationship should be built on compassion. As a doctor, I didn’t just treat symptoms—I treated people. I got to know their families, their fears, and their goals. Now in the legal world, we do the same thing.
Our clients are often immigrants facing uncertainty and hardship. Many of them are scared or frustrated, just like patients who walk into a hospital not knowing what’s wrong. They deserve kindness, honesty, and a clear plan. I learned long ago that the best outcomes come when people feel respected and understood. We carry that philosophy into every case at ATR Law Group.
Leading with Integrity
Being in leadership—whether in a surgical center or a law office—comes with pressure. But it also comes with opportunity. I’ve always believed that leaders should lead by example. I don’t ask anything of my team that I wouldn’t do myself. And I don’t cut corners. Medicine instilled that in me from the very beginning. A patient’s life could depend on the choices you make, and that kind of responsibility stays with you.
I apply that same sense of duty and integrity to the law firm. We are careful with every decision—from hiring staff to handling finances to representing clients in court. Our team knows that excellence matters, and that trust is everything. I remind them often: we’re not just providing a service, we’re impacting lives.
Faith and Flexibility in Career Change
Transitioning from medicine to law wasn’t something I planned early on. But I’ve always trusted that God opens doors when we’re ready for new chapters. My wife’s passion for immigration law inspired me, and I saw an opportunity for us to build something together. We combined our strengths—her legal expertise and my business background—and created a firm that reflects our values.
It wasn’t always easy. Letting go of one identity and stepping into another takes faith. But I’ve never been afraid of starting over. Life is full of seasons, and each one brings its own purpose. I don’t see my time in medicine as “before” and this new chapter as “after.” I see them as part of one continuous journey of service, growth, and impact.
Passing the Torch
Now, with our sons pursuing careers in law and medicine themselves, I often reflect on how interconnected these professions really are. They both require a heart for people and a mind for problem-solving. They both demand long hours, personal sacrifice, and deep commitment. But they also offer the chance to make a real difference.
I talk to my sons about integrity, perseverance, and vision. I want them to know that no matter what field they choose, their character will matter more than their title. That serving others with excellence and humility is the greatest measure of success.
Today, I look at our firm and feel the same sense of pride I once felt walking through the halls of my surgical center. We’ve built a place where people can come for help and leave with hope. That’s all I ever wanted, whether in a clinic or a courtroom.
The truth is, I don’t see myself as a man who left medicine. I see myself as someone who took the lessons of medicine and carried them into a new field. The tools may have changed, but the mission is the same: to serve, to lead, and to make life better for others. And for that, I am deeply grateful.