Today we’d like to introduce you to Purna.
Hi Purna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember, but in hindsight, I couldn’t have fully understood the depth of passion, commitment, and resilience required to practice criminal defense until I began doing the work. What I’ve come to realize is that this profession demands more than legal knowledge—it requires the ability to give a voice to those who often go unheard, to safeguard constitutional rights, and to pursue justice in a system that can sometimes feel more punitive than fair.
My path has been guided by a strong sense of purpose: ensuring that every person is judged not by assumptions or accusations, but by the unique facts and circumstances of their case. That mission is at the heart of everything I do.
Today, I own and operate my own law firm, proudly serving clients across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties. My practice is dedicated primarily to criminal defense, where I fight to protect the rights and futures of my clients. I also handle a select number of contract law matters for a limited clientele. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth—and that’s the nature of this work. Practicing criminal defense means facing daily challenges: the constant stress and pressure, the mental and physical fatigue, and the weight of knowing that real lives hang in the balance of every decision made. One of the most difficult aspects is navigating a system that often feels inherently imbalanced, while remaining thoughtful, strategic, and steadfast in the pursuit of justice for the people who have entrusted you with their freedom.
It’s not easy to separate myself from the work. I was raised on the principles of fairness and justice, so when I see injustice, it strikes a personal chord. It consumes me—not just during the pendency of a case, but sometimes long after it has ended. That emotional investment is both a strength and a burden.
The truth is, the struggles are endless. We don’t have a perfect system. I’m not sure one could ever exist. Where there is power, there is often imbalance—and history has shown that corruption can follow. But perseverance, to me, means rising every day to confront those challenges head-on. It’s about continuing the fight because you believe in the value of the work, even when the odds feel stacked against you.
We’ve been impressed with Krishnamoorthy & Associates PLLC./My Detroit Lawyer , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is my law firm, Krishnamoorthy & Associates PLLC. From the very beginning, I understood that my name—while meaningful to me—might not be the easiest for people to pronounce or remember. So I created a brand that was simple, clear, and connected to the community I serve: My Detroit Lawyer. That name reflects not only where I practice, but also the kind of lawyer I aim to be—accessible, relatable, and deeply rooted in the city and its people.
My practice focuses primarily on criminal defense in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties. I also handle a limited number of contract law matters for select clients. But regardless of the area of law, what sets me apart is my commitment to transparency and authenticity. I don’t believe in giving a sales pitch. I’m not here to persuade someone to like or hire me. Choosing a lawyer is one of the most important decisions a person can make—it requires trust, communication, and mutual respect. My goal is to build relationships, not transactions.
What I want people to know is this: I show up for my clients as my real self. I don’t hide behind a suit or legal jargon unless I’m in the courtroom where the performance is part of the process. Outside of that, I prefer to speak plainly, dress comfortably, and relate to my clients as people first. I’ve been through the same life experiences many of them have faced. I see them. I hear them. And I fight for them like I would for my own.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that nearly eight years into this work, I haven’t become jaded. I still care deeply about each case. I still take the time to get to know my clients. And I still show up with the same passion and authenticity I started with. My Detroit Lawyer isn’t just a brand—it’s a reflection of who I am, how I practice, and why I do this work.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always pretty vocal about what I liked and didn’t like. I never felt the need to fit in or follow the crowd—I’ve always had a strong sense of self and was confident doing my own thing. I believed that the right people—my tribe—would find me in time, and that mindset helped me steer clear of peer pressure. That said, steering clear of peer pressure didn’t mean I never got myself into trouble. That happened too—it was part of my life experience. But I’ve always believed in taking accountability. When I made mistakes, I owned them. I never looked for someone else to blame, because I knew the choices were mine.
My parents raised me to believe that integrity is the most powerful tool a person can have. That principle shaped who I am. I was taught that as long as you move through life with integrity, the choices you make and the actions you take will naturally follow a righteous path. That philosophy has always guided me—and still does to this day.
I was also fortunate to travel a lot as a child. But it wasn’t the tourist version of travel—it was immersive and eye-opening. My parents made sure I saw how people lived around the world, across all social and economic backgrounds. I saw the beauty and struggles of real life in many different cultures. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of fairness, justice, and humanity. They reinforced the importance of empathy and broadened my perspective beyond my own environment. That foundation continues to influence how I connect with people and advocate for them every day.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on many factors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mydetroitlawyer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_detroit_lawyer/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDetroitLawyer313/
