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a case. As soon as his pet name for me came out of his mouth, he apologized profusely. is story is funny to me, as until that time, this lawyer was straight-laced and hadtreatedmewiththeutmostre- spect. Rather than be incensed by the very un-PC nickname he had given me, I retorted, “Yes, I have legs, just like you do.” I have since learned to take an uncomfort- able situation like that and turn it around – I think that is what makes us human.
AALM: How supportive are fel- low women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your career path?
Valdés: At the beginning of my career, there were really no women practicing maritime law and sev- eral rms that were hiring back in 1994 suggested I go practice family law or something more suitable for a woman. Of course, that drove me crazy and made me want to force my way into the “boy’s club” that is the maritime Bar. Today, I mentor as many young lawyers as I can, in- cluding the two young associates I have at my rm. I speak at various events at the di erent law schools on practicing maritime law as a woman and I have sponsored sev- eral students with obtaining clerk- ships or internships with former employers or with clients.
AALM: Do you nd that as a woman you face any challenges that men don’t?
Valdés: roughout my career, I have been underestimated. As a woman, I feel that I have had to constantly prove myself, working harder, smarter and better than every other guy in the room. I feel like I am judged by my appearance as well as my work product. Once in a contentious litigation I was handling, my male opponent called me the “b-word.” All this is a tre- mendous amount of pressure that I do not believe men experience – if they are contentious, they are just being assertive. Nevertheless, be- ing underestimated, while being a challenge, it is also a great edge.
AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life?
Valdés: Give up the notion of perfection – doing your best is enough. Your family will love you no matter whether the house is a mess, or you had to get take out because you are busy preparing for trial. Be honest with your op- ponents and judges when you are not as prepared as you would like to be because you were up late helping your daughter with her science project. If you are honest with yourself, your family, your op- position and the judges you appear before, it will all balance out. ere is a great saying which I adhere to: “ e universe will not give us more than we can handle.”
AALM: What compelled you to start your own practice.
Valdés: I was compelled to “go it alone” while working at my last rm in 2011. At that rm, the part- ners would dread partner meet- ings, as the senior partnership spent hours demeaning the junior partners and negatively discussing the associates of the rm. ere was never anything positive said – it was a real “them versus us” atti- tude there. ese meetings did not resolve anything and frankly, were a downer. I decided I did not want to be in that kind of environment anymore and gured the only way to avoid it was to set up my own shop the way I want it to be run. It has been a wonderful experience.
AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving?
Valdés: Having my own rm, with two female associates assist- ing me, while raising two strong daughters, one of whom is head- ing o to college this year. I have accomplished raising two young ladies that are very sure of them- selves and know what they want out of life. I have two young asso- ciates working with me that have handled more in their rst year of practice than many attorneys have undertaken in ve years of prac- tice. I have numerous friends and colleagues in this industry that have supported me throughout my career and have helped provide me with a happy and rewarding career and life.
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AT a glance
LAW OFFICES OF MICHELLE OTERO VALDES
2030 S. Douglas Road, Suite 117 Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.michelleoterovaldes.com
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, St. Thomas University School of Law, 1994
Bachelor of Business Administration, Florida International University,1989
AWARDS
Most Outstanding Specialist Maritime Law Firm in Florida, AI Global Media, 2018
Best Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer of the Year in Florida, Corporate USA Today, 2018
Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer of the Year in USA, Legal 100, 2018
Maritime Law Firm of the Year in USA, Lawyers Worldwide Super Lawyers, 2018
Admiralty & Maritime Expert, Global Law Experts, 2018
Most Influential Woman in Admiralty & Maritime Law, Acquisition International, 2017
Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer of the Year in USA, Global 100, 2017
Legal Luminary Nominee, Dade County Bar Association, 2017
Best International Maritime & Admiralty Law Firm, Acquisition International, 2017
Women in Law Awards, Lawyer Monthly Magazine, 2017
Admiralty & Maritime Law Firm of the Year, Lawyer Monthly, 2016
Women in Law Awards, Chambers and Partners, 2012
Board Certified in Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Florida Bar, 2007-Present