Page 24 - Miami Vol 6 No 2

2017 Miami Superstar
AALM: When did you rst know you wanted to become an attorney? What drew you to this career?
Sanchez-Medina: My path to the prac­ tice of law was not linear. I’m lucky that a great deal of my life falls under the category that “sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.” I didn’t engage in signi cant analy­ sis in electing to go to law school but that decision was one of the wisest decisions I ever made. It’s allowed me to become better educated, provide for my family, give back to the community and help people.
AALM: Do you have any mentors or pro­ fessors that encouraged you along the way? What is the best lesson they taught you?
Sanchez-Medina: My father has always been my only mentor, but there are many people whose personal characteristics and qualities I admire and try to emulate. Early in my career, I worked for Jorge Hernan­ dez­Torano while at Holland & Knight, and his focus and passion for the practice of law impacted me. I also worked for Michael Kosnitzky, one of the smartest lawyers I know, and he expected an impeccable work product which made me a better lawyer.
Many former presidents of the Cuban American Bar Association shaped the per­ son and attorney I am today: Ray Abadin for his erce loyalty; Victor Diaz for his preparation; Cori Lopez­Castro for her insight; Gene Hernandez for his tempera­ ment. I also have a great deal of respect for Steve Zack, Paul Singerman and Bobby Martinez; their professionalism is impec­ cable. Ira Coleman and Jerry Sokol of Mc­ Dermott. Will & Emery for the pride they take in the work product delivered to the client. I would be remiss by not mentioning Ervin Gonzalez. He was a good friend and I always admired him as a lawyer and his relentless pursuit of perfection.
On a di erent level, the executive direc­ tor of e Florida Bar, Jack Harkness, is someone who I greatly respect. I admire his strength of character and wisdom.
AALM: What was the greatest lesson you learned in law school? How do you apply that to your career today?
Sanchez-Medina: e greatest lesson was to read everything. As a transactional attorney, you must read the four corners of the contract. You just cannot cut corners in that regard. A seemingly benign provision entitled, “General” or “Miscellaneous” is no
reason to not dedicate time to ensuring it does not contain unfavorable terms to your client. Read, read and read, there is no sub­ stitute for that.
AALM: What do you nd particularly re­ warding about your practice?
Sanchez-Medina: At this point in my career, it’s the opportunity to work hand­ in­hand with individuals and trying to re­ solve their problems or achieve their goals. As a younger attorney, you spend a lot of time in the trenches and don’t necessarily
spend a lot of time with the client. As you get older, you must clearly be im­ mersed in the transaction, but also be on the same page with the client and completely understand their goals.
AALM: What do you nd particu­ larly challenging about your practice?
Sanchez-Medina: I think daily stress of the practice of law is as bad as I have ever seen. Technology has been a boon for attorneys but also exacer­ bated the alacrity in which clients want
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Roland
Sanchez-Medina
A Practice in Details
Robert Klemm Photography