Every year, from September 15 – October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our nation.
This year, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP) recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month with a webinar featuring a multi-generational panel of Hispanic lawyers who discussed their personal and career journeys.
IILP often hosts webinars celebrating cultural awareness months, which help attendees better understand the lived experiences of lawyers across backgrounds.
The panelists included Martin R. Castro, President and CEO at Casa Central; Aleida Ortega Conners, Lead Counsel, Neuromodulation at Medtronic; Iveliz R. Crespo, Director of DEI and Talent Development at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP; Lizzy Diaz-Ortiz, VP, Senior Manager, Latino Banking Segment at BMO; Chris Luna, President and CEO of SPCA of Texas; Nuris E. Portuondo, Executive Director and Assistance General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; and Rosevelie Marquez Morales, President of the National Hispanic Bar Association and Chief Inclusion Officer at Hogan Lovells.
A common desire tied to community service
Panelists across generations said they became lawyers for a common reason: a strong connection to their culture and a desire to give back to their community.
Baby Boomer Chris Luna said that he grew up in a very community-centered family. His older brother went to law school too, and he learned from him that lawyers can volunteer their services and focus on pro bono.
Luna shared that his mom told him, “Be a lifter, not a leaner; a giver and not a taker.” This advice stayed with him and serves as inspiration in his career.
Martin Castro, a fellow Baby Boomer, said that in choosing a career, his father, who was Chicago’s first Latino ward committeeman, encouraged him to follow his passion. For Castro, this meant becoming a lawyer. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but, after taking many “leaps of faith,” Castro is proud of his achievements and thankful to represent his culture and community as a lawyer.
Gen Xer Lizzy Diaz-Ortiz, a first-generation lawyer whose family comes from Puerto Rico, cited a desire to help people and work in a profession she is proud of as reasons for becoming an attorney. Tenacity and a drive to represent her culture well have inspired her career, too.
Millennial attorney Iveliz R. Crespo pointed to lessons from her Puerto Rican culture as motivating her legal career. They include faith, hard work, and finding a professional space in which you can give back to your community.
Advice for the next generation
Many of the panelists said they represented a “first” (e.g., the first lawyer in their family, their neighborhood, or their community) and shared advice for the next generation of lawyers.
Rosevelie Marquez Morales, a Gen X lawyer, said law students and young lawyers should learn from their mistakes and then move on, motivated to do better next time. It’s important to embrace the fact that situations will “not always be perfect,” she said.
Recognizing failure as part of a learning process was a common thread among panelists, as was the pursuit of excellence.
Gen X attorney Nuris E. Portuondo encouraged young lawyers to aim high and strive to be the best at what they are doing, because, as Chris Luna reminded attendees, “exceptional lawyers are always in demand.”
The importance of mentoring
The panelists noted the importance of peer support in a lawyer’s career, emphasizing that it should not be viewed as a one-time thing, but rather an ongoing commitment to building a strong profession.
Chris Luna and Iveliz Crespo specifically pointed out the difference that intentional and consistent support over time can make in the careers of lawyers. Mentoring is a great first step, several panelists said, noting the value of established attorneys introducing newer attorneys to their networks.
Panelists encouraged lawyers (both Hispanic and non-Hispanic) to mentor Hispanic attorneys. For non-Hispanic lawyers, while this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about another culture, Martin Castro pointed out that attorneys must be comfortable with navigating cultural differences.
If you are interested in mentoring, the Commission on Professionalism facilitates a statewide Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, which focuses on both legal practice and human connection in lawyering. The program is free, and CLE is provided. Learn more here.
If you would like to learn more about IILP’s webinars, visit its website.
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