The Journey
What possessed a 15-year-old girl to leave her family, cross an ocean, and enter a field where few women had succeeded? Even as a young teen, Kelly Bagla possessed remarkable courage and ambition, fearlessly embarking on her childhood dream of practicing law in the United States.
Today an internationally acclaimed corporate and securities attorney, Kelly Bagla, Esq. serves high-net-worth founders, investors, and enterprises navigating the legal complexities of safeguarding their assets, mitigating risks, and achieving long-term success. She is known for her rare blend of legal precision, entrepreneurial insight, and global perspective. Founder and CEO of Bagla Law, APC, Kelly is a trusted advisor to domestic businesses as well as to worldwide clients seeking to enter the United States market.
Fearless Leader in Law
CEO WORLD LEADERS Magazine has named Kelly Bagla, Esq. the World’s Most Fearless Leader in Law, 2026. And for good reason. Her entire journey has exhibited a winning combination of ambition, vision, and courage.
Graduating top in her class Kelly earned multiple law and business degrees, in the United Kingdom and the United States, including a Master’s degree in law. She then took the bold step of interviewing at the number one Mergers and Acquisitions law firm in the world. It never occurred to Kelly to aim anywhere but for the top. She was hand-selected by Baker McKenzie LLP and spent several years serving both domestic and international clients. The experience was invaluable, enhancing her understanding of domestic and global corporate law. A promising, secure career was afforded her within the prestigious firm. But Kelly made a daring decision that changed the course of her life.
Branching Out
It had become evident to Kelly that too often the legal services of a mega firm fell short for entrepreneurs. Business founders had difficulty navigating the complex legal systems (and cost structures) designed for large corporations. They needed more accessible guidance that could be tailored to early-stage or growth-focused businesses. Entrepreneurs could be better served.
Kelly, a successful attorney, always had a heart for entrepreneurs. Her father was a business owner who worked his way from the ground floor to eventually buy and transform the business. Kelly saw first-hand the dedication, vision, and risk required of an entrepreneur. She inherited her father’s entrepreneurial spirit and has modeled her fearless approach after his example.
Remaining at the world’s largest firm would have been the safe plan. But Kelly saw that she could provide entrepreneurs something better. She founded Bagla Law Firm, APC, specializing in business formation & asset protection with a vision of shaking up the corporate legal field, by putting the client’s best interests at the forefront of every interaction and decision. For more than two decades, she has provided founders with tailored legal strategies to protect their assets in all phases of starting, growing and exiting their businesses. Bagla Law Firm’s boutique services include entity formation, securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and international market entry.
Kelly’s revolutionary transparent flat-fee structure lets business owners know up front what their legal fees will be. No longer are they suddenly surprised with hidden billable hours.
Her bold move to start her own firm has earned her great success and numerous accolades including California’s Attorney of the Year and the 2025 and 2026 Lawyer International Legal 100 Award.
The Entrepreneur’s Attorney
An entrepreneur at heart, Kelly is always envisioning the next opportunity. Kelly is CEO and founder of two additional enterprises, GoLegalYourself.com, a Do-It-Yourself online legal protection company to help entrepreneurs acquire the right legal documents, and Pitbulls ‘n Pearls®, a business and personal development coaching company. She hosts her Biz Queen® Podcast, – listened to in 26 countries and named in the top 20 Business Law Podcasts. And she is the author of 5 books, including a New York Times, best seller, “Go Legal Yourself!®”. Kelly is a compelling online and broadcast guest, including her roles as a judge on the Emmy award-winning tv series, "Everyday Edisons ®” and on The Blox ®, an entrepreneur reality show in its 20th season.
Kelly’s dual perspective, being both an award-winning attorney and a celebrated entrepreneur makes her the ideal Entrepreneur's Attorney. She understands the unique risks and challenges of business owners. And she knows how to navigate complex corporate law to create strategies for advancing her clients' dreams while protecting their assets.
The Essence of Courage
Kelly has been more than fearless throughout her career. She has been courageous. In her view, courage is the best foundation for fearlessness. In other words, taking risks fearlessly simply for the adrenalin rush can be fun but pointless unless it is grounded in a greater purpose.
Each of her corporate enterprises was founded on her mission to inform, equip and inspire entrepreneurs. Her purpose to help others achieve success provided the courage to undertake each business venture.
In addition to her companies, Kelly has embarked on surprising risky endeavors requiring other forms of courage. Entering the 2010 Ms. Southern California BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP presented Kelly with the opportunity to push herself beyond what she had believed she could achieve. The extreme training and discipline tested, broke, and built a new level of confidence. Everything she learned through the grueling experience has fortified her confidence and benefitted her career. Kelly won Ms. Southern California BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP and was the first Indian female to win it.
Kelly entered an entirely different kind of competition after she happened to visit a toy fair in Los Angeles. Walking up and down the aisles all she saw were unattractive, imported toys with very little emotional substance. She had an idea, researched the market, spoke with a patent expert and toy designer and invented the plush toy collection, Eardorables®. She entered a television contest THE TOY BOX on ABC, won the Mattel® Award and entered into a licensing agreement. The knowledge and experience she gained have applied to all of her business ventures since.
It also takes courage to stand up for one’s values and to persevere in the face of opposition. Kelly is unapologetic for her strong belief in the American Dream. She crossed an ocean to follow her dream and now speaks boldly to audiences of aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals to assure them that America is still the Land of Opportunity. A British immigrant, and naturalized citizen, Kelly has become a walking, breathing example of the successful American Entrepreneur with a mission to help others on their journey.
Future Ventures
Kelly will continue building her brand and expanding her enterprises and global influence to advise entrepreneurs and investors in building durable businesses. She has no intention of slowing down but sees her momentum grow as her domain expands.
Outside of her career Kelly is a staunch supporter of veterans, evident through her pro bono work with the Veterans Chamber of Commerce and the various magazine publication contributions she provides to outlets like Homeland and San Diego Veterans Magazine. Bagla Law Firm, APC offers veterans discounted legal fees to say “thank you” to everyone who has defended this country. Kelly’s husband, Brent Waters is a retired US Marine and her most trusted advisor in all aspects of her career and personal life. They are both devout American Patriots.
The other passion in Kelly’s life is rescuing dogs! (5 rescues and counting…) The cause nearest and dearest to her heart is ensuring every dog finds its “fur-ever” home with a loving family. Bagla Law Firm, APC regularly donates to and supports Last Chance At Life: All Breed Rescue and Adoption, where Kelly enjoys donating her time. The focus of the non-profit is helping the animals in San Diego County. They have a special fondness for boxers, which Kelly shares! Kelly and Brent have always chosen to adopt dogs. The couple currently has three (3) four-legged rescues in their family. Affectionately known as “the girls,” the pups join Kelly each morning on a daily run.
Together Kelly and Brent share a vision to open their own dog sanctuary. The planning and dreaming have been in the works for years. Their goal is to treat canine guests in the sanctuary like family. Dogs will be properly fed with nutritious food, enjoy exercise and loving care. Stay tuned for this and other adventures ahead for Kelly.
Every challenge will be met with fearless courage and every success will be grounded in the values that have guided her through the decades.
