What motivates you in your role? Knowing that I get to wake up every single day in a free country allowed to exercise my freedom of speech and be the voice for individuals who are injured and hurt is what motivates me in my role as a Hispanic female attorney in my community. I am the only daughter of two Cuban immigrants. In the early 80’s my parents sacrificed their homes, careers, families, and their friendships when they permanently moved from Havana to Miami in search of the American Dream. I am thankful for the sacrifices that my family made to pave the way for me to succeed. I was born in Miami, but I am most proud of my Cuban roots and heritage. As the child of immigrants, I feel a responsibility to help motivate first-generation Americans to follow their dreams, graduate, and practice law, or whatever else they aspire to be, because it was the best decision I ever made. As the mother of two toddlers, my motivation will always be to set a positive example for my kids. Your children will follow your example, and not your advice. They do as I do, and not as I always say, so I try to do the best I can at everything with them in mind. What do you hope to achieve in the next year, as an active member of the American Bar Association? We are living in times of change. Unlike any other time in history, a first-generation, female, Hispanic attorney has a platform to promote freedom and change and to speak for those who do not have a voice of their own. I strive to promote awareness among the members of the American Bar Association as to the humanitarian crisis happening in Cuba by asking whoever reads this to take a few moments and educate themselves on the injustices currently occurring in Cuba and elsewhere around the world. 90 miles from our peaceful American coastline is an island country run by Dictators that will have you or your family killed or tortured just for speaking out against them. A place where generations are willing to risk floating across treacherous seas, on rubber rafts in shark infested waters to have the opportunity for the freedom many of us take for granted. Do you think women still face more challenges than their male counterparts in the legal industry? If so, what are your tips for other aspiring lawyers? “Women’s rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda, trained on the equal dignity and ability to live in freedom all people should enjoy.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg I do not know if I would say women face more challenges than their male counterparts. I wholeheartedly believe women face vastly different challenges than men in our industry. If we must stand a little taller or speak a little louder to have our voices heard, then I will stand taller, and I will speak louder to have my voice heard. My advice is to surround yourself with woman who inspire you and motivate you to be better. I am forever grateful to the amazingly talented and brilliant women who have paved the way for us to be able to persevere in the face of those challenges. I am also grateful for the incredible women I get to work with at Goldberg and Rosen, specifically our COO, Gloria Abreu-Fontana, Partner Jocelyn Santana, and Attorney Patricia Yeatts. They inspire me to be a better human, a better lawyer, and a better mother. “Knowing that I get to wake up every single day in a free country allowed to exercise my freedom of speech and be the voice for individuals who are injured and hurt is what motivates me in my role as a Hispanic female attorney in my community.” “I wholeheartedly believe women face vastly different challenges than men in our industry. If we have to stand a little taller or speak a little louder to have our voices heard, then so be it.” Women in Law Awards 2021 - 84 - USA PERSONAL INJURY
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