In the world of law, Brooke Goff has emerged as a trailblazer, showcasing that with perseverance and strategic partnerships, one can rise to prominence. As a distinguished personal injury attorney based in Connecticut, Goff has not only made a mark with her compelling TV commercials and philanthropic endeavors but has now embarked on an innovative collaboration with renowned musicians Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav to bring legal awareness to the masses. Let’s delve into this groundbreaking collaboration and its significance in the legal and entertainment spheres.
One of a Kind
Brooke Goff, the founder and CEO of Goff Law Group, has garnered attention for her remarkable achievements, including her dedication to philanthropy, community outreach, and eye-catching billboard campaigns. Now, she’s taking her outreach efforts to the next level by teaming up with Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav for a series of billboard campaigns across New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. These campaigns aim not only to entertain but also to educate the public on important legal matters.
“I’m excited to blend legal education with entertainment for motorists traveling through the Northeast,” says Goff. “Partnering with high-profile celebrities like Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav has been a rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to unveil these billboards to the public.”
Goff Law Group, the largest female-owned personal injury firm in Connecticut, has flourished under Goff’s leadership, growing into a multi-million-dollar business within a short span. Goff’s commitment to empowering women in the workplace and championing equality has earned her national recognition, with features in prominent media outlets such as ExtraTV, US Weekly, and Newsweek.
Let’s get up close and personal with Brooke:
Beverly Hills Magazine: Tell us a little background about yourself.
Brooke Goff: I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. I am one of four children. My mom was a secretary and my dad a janitor. When I graduated from high school I came to Connecticut on a softball scholarship with Post University in Connecticut. I graduated with my bachelors and I went to Quinnipiac University for my MBA. While doing my MBA I got into law school at Quinnipiac University School of Law. I graduated from law school in 2014. I loved Connecticut so much that I chose to stay and I currently reside in West Hartford, Connecticut with my 2 children.
Beverly Hills Magazine: When did you start your business Goff Law Group?
Brooke Goff: I started Goff Law Group LLC in 2017.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What is the most challenging thing about being an attorney?
Brooke Goff: The most challenging thing for me about being an attorney is the balance between being an attorney and business owner. A very knowledgeable law professor once told me that the lawyers that are truly successful figure out how to balance owning the business and practicing law and learn the art of delegating. For me, finding that balance to where I was able to master both was the greatest challenge I have faced to date. As a result of finding that balance, I have been able to build my empire. I show up every day as Brooke, the queen of the castle and Brooke, the no-nonsense lawyer.
Beverly Hills Magazine: The most rewarding?
Brooke Goff: The most rewarding thing about being a lawyer is that you truly do have the power to do great things. As I am a personal injury lawyer, I help people that have been involved in catastrophic events daily. They put their livelihood, future, and recovery in my hands and it is such an honor to have people feel they can entrust you with such a huge piece of their life. I treat my clients no different than I would treat my family and I fight the good fight to get every penny they deserve every day.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What is your business mission?
Brooke Goff: My business mission is to create the largest female-owned and operated law firm in the Northeast. I invest significantly in my business to give all of our clients a luxurious, legal experience. I want to run a female-forward law firm where women feel welcomed, do not fear elevation, and feel comfortable having a family.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What have been major obstacles/stepping stones that you overcame to achieve your success?
Brooke Goff: The largest obstacle I faced was prediction of growth. I would sign a lease and need to double the space in 18 months. My office has moved a few times in seven years, which no business wants to do because of the lack of space in the buildings where we were located. A 3,000 square-foot office suite looked enormous until ten employees later when it didn’t. We started in a 800-square foot office and are now in 15,000-square feet in a Class A building that has space if we continue to grow.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Who or what have been your inspirations?
Brooke Goff: My inspirations truly are the generations of female lawyers before me. As a result of the trailblazing and adversity these women overcame, my journey was easier in becoming a female CEO in a male dominated space. I cannot just choose one- it is a compilation of all their collective efforts that allow me to be where I am now.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What makes your legal practice different from others of its kind?
Brooke Goff: My practice is owned and managed by me and is very female-dominant. We boast thirteen lawyers, twelve of whom are women and many of those women are mothers. We take our experiences as women and mothers and we bring a maternal element to every case. We fight for our clients not only as lawyers but as mothers.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Greatest lesson you’ve learned on your success journey?
Brooke Goff: The greatest lesson I have learned is to have a good therapist. Great mental health is the key to success and when the buck starts and ends with you, that is a lot of pressure and stress. No one truly understands the demanding nature of those at the top and as a result there is lack of understanding and empathy from those beneath you. Having someone to talk to allows you to remain focused, overcomes much anxiety, and really allows you to remember to focus on yourself as that can be lost at times when running any business. There is a saying that “therapists are for crazy people”; however, I would argue that crazy people are the ones that don’t see a therapist.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Three words that best describe you and why?
Brooke Goff:
- Driven– the best way to get me to do something is to tell me that I can’t do it. I came from very humble beginnings with the odds stacked against me like a brick wall and I have overcome it all by myself. I have never had anything handed to me. I stand where I am today not as a result of luck but a result of my efforts and my hard work. I attack obstacles 100 miles an hour and always find solutions. This is what makes me a great business owner and a great lawyer.
- Competitive– Being an athlete, competition is in my DNA. I do not like to lose at anything and always put forward a valiant effort. If I lose or the outcome is not what I want it to be, I learn from it and build upon it. I do not wallow on the loss and continue to move forward. I always stay ahead of my competition and I never fall into the trap of competing directly with any of my competitors in the legal space. I compete with myself each and every day and that level of competition is much higher than any of my competitors could bring.
- Normal- I am a normal person. I was not given anything. My parents could barely afford to provide my siblings and I with necessities despite them working around the clock. I went to school with one pair of sneakers and one pair of jeans. We were very low income. I had no connections that helped me get to where I am today. I did it all on my own. Having lived my story allows me to connect better with my clients. I am down to earth and although $5,000 may not be a lot to some people, I understand it is a lot to most. This amount would have changed my parents lives when we were young. I never belittle or look down on my clients. I am down to earth and I relate to them. I had a woman that unfortunately fell into homelessness during the pendency of her case, so I ordered her lunch and ate it with her. She continues to remind me of that day- a class A lawyer taking time out of her day to have lunch with a woman with no means. Sometimes we all just need a break and someone to care about our well-being. I make sure, when I can, that I take advantage of these opportunities to positively impact the lives of my clients.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you balance your professional and personal life?
Brooke Goff: Balancing my personal and professional lives has its challenges. I want to be there for my family but also, I have to be there for my clients as well. On the weekends, I make sure to plan outings with my children that are special and during that time that my focus is 100% all on them. I have a 6-month-old daughter and no matter how I feel at the end of the day, I make sure I rock with her as she falls asleep (sometimes I fall asleep too). My 12-year-old son plays flag football and I signed up to coach the team as it was an opportunity to connect with him. I enjoy golf and I take my son out when I am able. When I am with my children, I try to be in the moment even if it is only for a few hours. When I am at work, I do the same- I try to focus on the work tasks so I can efficiently get through the day and not have to bring work home with me. If it is a busy week and I work late, I have my daughter come to the office to feed her and give her a nap on my lap as I work through paperwork. There is no magical formula, you just do your best. You need to forgive yourself if you are not able to spend as much time as you want to in one arena or the other. As a lawyer, business owner, and mother I wear many hats. I wake up and take on each day as it comes- I forgive myself at the end of the day and I make the next day a better one.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you take care of your spiritual self?
Brooke Goff: I love meditating with the Calm app. I make it a priority to go outside and get fresh air each day. I listen to music. I exercise a few days a week. I play golf at least 2 days per week. A combination of all of these things in my life allows me to connect with my best spiritual self.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How has God played a hand in your life, or let you know that He is always with you?
Brooke Goff: My faith is in myself. I do not credit a higher power for my successes or the way in which I live my life. My children are exceptional human beings because of great parenting. My business has grown to an empire because of my dedication and hard work. I am able to have a nice home and nice things because I work hard to get them. I am who I am because I made myself this way. Giving credit to a higher power discredits all of my work and efforts that have gotten me to where I am today.
Beverly Hills Magazine: If you had to give a piece of advice to aspiring attorney’s out there, what would it be?
Brooke Goff: My advice to lawyers is to know your worth. You do not need to go work for the fancy law firm just to “build your resume.” You also do not want to make your employment decisions solely on money. You want to choose to work with a firm that has an exceptional leader. More than that, you want that exceptional leader to be present. It does not help if they are on an island somewhere barking orders. They need to be someone you respect and aspire to be. You want a firm that will put you in a courtroom and will challenge you early. Look at the benefits offered- that indicates a lot about how the firm values their employees. You want to choose a firm you can see yourself for the long-term. You are representing a firm and the firm’s leader- you must align with the values and vision of the firm and the leader. If the leader does not meet you in the interview sessions, move on- you are not important enough.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What is “success” to you? DEFINE success.
Brooke Goff: Success is doing what you love and are passionate about every day. I go to the office and I do not feel like it is work. If you are better today than you were yesterday, that is success. Yes, money follows, but success starts and ends with you and how you turn mistakes or obstacles into opportunities and building blocks. It does not only belong to the elite- if you were in law school one year ago and are now working in a law firm, that’s true success. People are too focused on the larger measure of success and miss the small achievements that lead to the larger ones. Be easy on yourself and focus on being better each day.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Have you discovered a personal purpose in what you do?
Brooke Goff: I love being a home for women to feel safe in a corporate career. Women are thrown into the trash heaps within the legal world because of the possibility of childbirth and the impact on the profit levels of a firm from the anticipated time off. I am happy to take Corporate America’s “female rejects” and welcome them to a firm where they can showcase their skills, provide them great pay and benefits so that they can support their families, and feel professional and financially secure. Women are elevated at Goff Law Group- in fact all of the partners in the firm are female. When I speak at events and children see a proud lesbian, female CEO and successful lawyer, they know that anything is possible with a vision. You just have to want it more than the person next to you. Sexuality does not have to define you- your actions and successes define you. You should be proud of who you are, embrace it, and use it to further yourself as a human.
Beverly Hills Magazine: If you had one wish that would be granted, what would you wish for?
Brooke Goff: One wish- would be to fly. I am late for everything and having some wings might help me get places on time.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Where can I readers go to find more information about you and/or your company?
Brooke Goff: You can find us all over Connecticut on the television or on billboards. For those outside of Connecticut, you can visit our website at www.gofflawgroup.net. You can also learn more about us on Facebook and Instagram @gofflawgroup. Further, we are on TikTok @brookegoffofficial.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Anything else you’d like to share or add?
Brooke Goff: I would say more but you are likely out of space. I tend to talk a lot- another great attribute of a lawyer and leader !
Celebrity Collaborations
Goff’s strategic collaborations with Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav underscore her dedication to female empowerment and inclusivity in business. “Partnering with individuals who share our values is paramount,” says Goff. “Flavor Flav’s energy and entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his female agent, make him an ideal partner in our mission.”
Reflecting on her journey, Goff emphasizes the transformative power of hard work and perseverance. “To collaborate with icons like Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav, whom I admired as a young girl, is surreal,” says Goff. “It’s a testament to the endless possibilities that come with dedication and determination.”
As Goff continues to make strides in the legal arena, her collaborations with Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav serve as a testament to her innovative approach and commitment to making a positive impact. Through education, entertainment, and strategic partnerships, Goff is paving the way for a more inclusive and informed future.
For more information, visit www.gofflawgroup.net. Visit her on Linkedin, or Instagram, and Facebook.
About Attorney Brooke Goff:
Brooke Goff is the founder and president of Goff Law Group, the largest woman-owned personal injury firm in Connecticut. With a team of experienced female attorneys, Goff Law Group is known for its aggressive tactics and exceptional client service. Goff is a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and equality in the legal profession, and her collaborations with Vanilla Ice and Flavor Flav exemplify her commitment to these values. Visit Brooke Bites for some of her amazing receipes that she creates as a hobby that she loves!