It’s been said of Houston that it is one of the most diverse cities in America. A May 2011 report by the Brookings Institute titled “The State of Metropolitan America” noted that the suburbs of Houston have become majority minority in the 2000s.

When Kristopher Ahn was looking to start a law practice, it was precisely one of these ethnically diverse areas where he decided to set up. In his case, he felt the significant Korean population in Spring Branch needed his legal services.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Ahn immigrated with his family at the age of 11. Unlike today, when English as a Second Language courses area available for foreign students, he learned English in a more difficult setting with underperforming students. Despite these initial challenges, he knew early on that he wanted to be an attorney. “…It was something I wanted to do ever since I was a little kid,” Ahn says.

He received his BA in Political Science from the University of Houston, an MBA in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University, and finally received his Juris Doctor from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

When Ahn first moved to Houston, he worked for the city’s legal department. Four years later, he went out on his own, opening his private practice in business litigation and real estate. This year marks the firm’s 20th anniversary.

Ahn has sought to expand his understanding of the law, honing his skills by enrolling at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer’s College. The college is considered the most prestigious and selective trial advocacy college in America, and has only graduated 1,200 students in the past 20 years. Spence claims to have never lost a criminal trial either as a defender or prosecutor, and is regarded as one of the best attorneys in the nation. Ahn sees him both as a friend and mentor now, and believes his practice (and more specifically his clients) have benefitted greatly from his relationship with the school.

Business has evolved through the years, and the general practice of law has changed significantly, in part due to tort reform. “The manner in which, and the extent to which justice is administered has changed a lot,” Ahn notes.

He also noted how Houston, and more specifically Spring Branch has changed. “Spring Branch is kind of a neighborhood that is in transition. It’s a little bit different from other parts of Houston,” he says.

Ahn Law Firm, 9930 Long Point Rd Houston, TX 77055, 713-781-2322