I tend to say that “I was born to be a litigator” because that’s honestly how it feels to me. I was in elementary school when my parents were in an accident that injured my dad’s back. My dad was a manual labor worker, so it caused him significant wage loss and things changed for us. When I was 10, I went with him to get his settlement check and was drawn to everything about his attorney’s office. I also knew they really helped our family. From then on, I told everyone that I was going to be an attorney when I got older. I was then in an accident when I was 17 that left me with permanent injuries. I was thankful to have had an attorney by my side during that process that listened, advised, and worked hard on my behalf. This experience solidified my path to personal injury law.
I come from a very large Mexican family with very few college graduates and only one law school graduate. I had to fight hard and find ways to get through school. Throughout the entire process I was also working full time in the legal field and raising a family. The added obstacles of coming from my background meant I got started as an attorney a bit later in life. However, I believe the adversity I have faced my entire life makes me a better advocate for my clients. It makes me want to help others who are in tough times and give them a voice when they feel they have nobody on their side. It also made me a very motivated person with a strong work ethic.
My legal career began in the copy room of a larger national firm before I became a litigation paralegal handling various types of insurance coverage disputes and family law. Eventually, I became a personal injury paralegal and was mentored by an amazing plaintiff’s trial lawyer for about five years before getting my license. Overall, I spent about 10 years learning the litigation process as a paralegal before getting my law license. As an attorney, I initially ran my own practice for two years representing clients in family and personal injury matters. I then spent one year doing insurance defense learning how the other side works, but more than anything, learning that I am not a defense attorney. When I was given the opportunity to return to representing the injured here at Nicolet Law, I excitedly accepted.
When I am not practicing law, I enjoy spending my time with my four children and husband.
Education
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Juris Doctor
- Dispute Resolution Institute: Conflict Resolution Theory and Practice Certificate
- Globe University, Woodbury, Minnesota
- Bachelor of Science: Paralegal Studies
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota State Bar – Member
Professional Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Present
- Minnesota Women Lawyers, Present
- Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, Present
- American Bar Association, Present
- Minnesota Association for Justice
Accolades
- Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
Areas of Practice
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Animal bites
- Slip and Falls
- Emotional Distress