From Lost to Legacy: How One Attorney Found Purpose and Prosperity in Christ

Edmund Yan, Esq., an estate planning attorney in California, openly shares a profound transformation that reshaped his life and business. For the first nine years of his legal career, Edmund describes himself as “lost,” driven by worldly desires, and perpetually unfulfilled. This all changed when he cried out to God in a moment of desperation, leading him and his wife to discover Christ and embark on a journey of faith that would redefine his purpose.

A Radical Transformation

Before 2020, Edmund's life was characterized by a relentless pursuit of fleeting pleasures and material gain. He admits to being “depressed, always stressed, had no real purpose in life, and just lived for the moment, lived to accomplish fleshly desires and fleshly goals.” The turning point came in 2019 when his wife became pregnant. Facing the daunting prospect of fatherhood without a clear direction, he surrendered to God, asking for divine guidance rather than dictating his own path.

This surrender led to a deep dive into the scriptures with his wife, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We read the Gospels. We were saved through reading the Gospels together as a couple," Yan recounts. This period, though dark for the world, became a time of profound light and discovery for them. "It was just the most wonderful year. 2020. Even though the world was dark, it was light to us."

Kingdom Principles in Practice

With his newfound faith, Edmund sought God's direction for his career. Feeling called to continue practicing law, he dedicated his entire practice to Christ. He renamed his firm Tree of Life Law Firm, a name that reflects his core belief: “Jesus is life. He gives us life, and without Christ, there is no life.”

This commitment to Christ fundamentally altered how he conducted business. He began to lead his team, serve clients, grow his business, and even market his firm based on biblical principles, especially from Proverbs and the character of God. The results have been remarkable: his solo practice has grown to a team of eight people in just five to six years, a testament to God's blessings.

Love God, Love People: The Foundation of His Firm

Edmund grounds his daily operations in the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love people. This translates into a sacrificial approach to his work. He prioritizes his clients' well-being, even when it means personal sacrifice. "There are times where what's good for the client is not good for me, but I do it anyways because it's good for the client," he explains. This extends to his team, whom he compensates generously, paying "much higher than the market value because I want to make sure that every single person is not struggling, that their needs are met and beyond."

His faith isn't just internal; it's actively shared. Yan integrates scripture into his daily routine, meditating on passages like Proverbs 3 to gain wisdom for his practice. He also uses his YouTube channel, where he discusses estate planning topics and ties them to scripture, sharing the gospel and revealing Christ to his audience. "I always tie my topics into the scriptures and into Christ and to our salvation so that listeners can hear the good news."

Peace, Hope, and a Heavenly Inheritance

Edmund's mission statement, "My mission is to care for parents and their children as Jesus would, to give peace and hope one estate plan at a time," beautifully encapsulates his approach. While his firm provides material peace of mind through estate planning, he actively seeks opportunities to share the "true hope in Christ, the true inheritance that God has given us." He sees his work as a platform to demonstrate God's glory through excellence. "When someone says, thank you Edmund, I always give that glory back to God."

Investing for the Kingdom

Before Christ, Edmund's financial goals were self-serving. Now, his investments of time, talent, and resources are kingdom-centered. After providing for his family and team, he focuses on giving back to the church and supporting missionaries. He and his wife even started the Tree of Life Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to sharing the gospel. They paid off over half a million dollars in debt through diligent application of biblical financial principles, enabling them to give generously.

His long-term financial goal is to build a business that can thrive without his constant presence, freeing him to go on missionary trips. His time is dedicated to serving at church, including being part of the worship team and even parking lot security. He and his wife are also intentionally creating a welcoming home environment for both believers and non-believers, aiming to share Christ with all who come by modeling Christ through their inclusive hospitality. 

A Call to Boldness

Edmund's advice to other Christian leaders in the marketplace is clear and challenging: "Literally share the word of God. Don't be afraid. Let people know that you're a disciple of Christ." He emphasizes that it's not enough to simply be a good person or run a good business; the gospel must be proclaimed. "We're here as ambassadors of Christ. We're not here to live a good life only... But we're here to share the gospel and we're here to make sure that everyone hears it."

Edmund Yan's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Christ, demonstrating how a life and business fully surrendered to God can yield not only personal fulfillment but also profound impact and eternal significance.