< PreviousAt a Glance KURZBAN KURZBAN TETZELI & PRATT P.A. 131 Madeira Ave. Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 444-0060 www.kktplaw.com Founded in 1977 OTHER LOCATION Honolulu, Hawaii PRACTICE AREAS U.S. Immigration Law Serious Personal Injury National Practice in Failure to Treat Kidney Disease Business & Corporate Law Civil Litigation PARTNERS Ira J. Kurzban Jed Kurzban John Patrick Pratt Helena Tetzeli ASSOCIATES Dominique Pando Bucci Lauren Olivia Gallagher Kevin A. Gregg Deepti Orekondy Elizabeth Montano Ryan Patterson Edward Ramos David A. Calles Smith STAFF Seven staff members COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Pro Bono Work Lobbying for Immigrants List Lobbying for Florida Justice Association ture,” Jed Kurzban says. “We feel like our on-point mission of put- ting clients first can be fully realized and accomplished from this new home, as it enables us to continue to grow and effect change through the courts, lobbying, lecturing and publishing.” Jed Kurzban, in fact, has been honored for lobbying efforts on behalf of injured victims in Tallahassee and recently was honored with the Excellence in Writing Award by the Florida Bar Journal & News Editorial Board. While the new space has not altered the firm’s people-first philoso- phy, it has given them a renewed sense of purpose in spreading this important message. The belief that justice for people should prevail over politics and money, is something the attorneys staunchly uphold in every case they take on and it is reflected in their work ethic. The immigration team spends hours each week in each other’s of- fices discussing issues, asking questions and bouncing ideas off each other. They discuss hot topics and the latest case law in weekly meet- ings led by Pratt and Tetzeli. In the personal injury and commercial litigation practices, Jed Kurzban and Tetzeli are also staying on the leading edge of what is new and relevant in their areas that will help them protect clients. When many of the attorneys leave the office, they don’t clock out. Instead they go home and write articles and pa- pers seeking to effectuate change. “I lecture a lot and one of my messages is that trial lawyers make the change,” Jed Kurzban says. “The government is doing more and more to try and stop trial lawyers from making change. But corporate profits should never be more important than individuals. Politics and ideology are not more important than people. When someone loses the ability to live the life they chose due to someone else’s negligence, the government or their insurance should care; they don’t, but juries do. That’s why the government tries to take away the right to jury tri- als. We are on the front line of trying to stop this from happening.” With a bright future ahead founded on a remarkably successful past, what is the firm’s president most proud of? “I am most proud that we don’t need to sell ourselves,” he says. “We’ve allowed the value of our hard work to speak for itself. We have over 8,000 clients in the history of the firm that continue to generate additional work for us because of their appreciation of the firm, how hard we’ve worked and the results we’ve obtained. That is what has driven our practice to grow and move forward. A client first philoso- phy has been and will continue to be our cornerstone.” As we head into 2020, based on the standards the firm has set for itself over the past four decades, there will surely be many more lead- ing accomplishments in its future and new Coral Gables home.Hilarie Bass Attorney At Law Magazine’s Winner of the 2019/2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Florida legal community is to women practitioners? Bass: I don’t believe that the South Florida legal com- munity is any more or less hospitable to women lawyers than other large cities. Women continue to face unique challenges to achieve the same level of success in the legal profession as their similarly competent male colleagues. I recently created the Bass Institute for Diversity and In- clusion because most firms realize that they need to do better in addressing the unconscious biases that infiltrate compensation, elevation and evaluation decisions in law firms, but are unsure as to what they need to do to make things better. The Institute will work with managing part- ners and CEOs to identify the changes necessary to move the needle in this area. AALM: How do you try to help fellow women in their career goals? Bass: I have always tried to go out of my way to assist other women coming up the ladder in the legal profes- sion and believe most women attorneys attempt the same. There are always exceptions where some are more focused on their own advancement, but the same would be true in any group of men. AALM: Do you find that as a woman you face any chal- lenges that men don’t? Bass: Of course! Every study ever done of big law re- flects, for example, that the compensation gap between men and women is at least 20 percent. A recent study by Major Lindsay and Africa reflected that the gap is highest among equity partners and is as high as 53 percent among partners. AALM: How are you involved in the legal community and the local community? Bass: As a young lawyer, I got involved in several com- munity organizations and bar groups. Those activities have provided some of the most satisfying experiences of my career. I have been privileged to serve as chair of the board of United Way of Miami Dade. I just completed my term as president of the American Bar Association, and this past May, I became Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami. AALM: What case most defined or redefined your prac- tice? Bass: Although I had many successful trials involving 100s of millions of dollars over my legal career, I can say categorically that my most important case was represent- ing pro bono two foster children that led to the finding that the more than 20 year ban on gay adoption in the State of Florida was unconstitutional. I still have people approach me on the street to thank me for giving them the ability to have a family. It brings me to tears every time. AALM: What traits do you think make an attorney ex- ceptional? Bass: I think the difference between a good attorney and a great one is that a great attorney sees and hears ev- erything from the perspective of how they can help their client achieve their goals. That requires the lawyer to be an exceptional listener and problem solver. Often clients speak to a lawyer thinking they are trying to accomplish one thing and a great lawyer will listen carefully and be able to strategize as to how to achieve those goals in ways the client had not even considered. A great lawyer is not just a practitioner, but a counselor. AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn. Bass: I was a professional actress in NYC for three years between getting my undergraduate degree and start- ing law school. I studied with Lee Strasberg, appeared on a soap opera on NBC and acted in a number of off Broad- way shows. AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life? Bass: I have found that the key to balance is not evalu- ating it on a daily or even weekly basis. As a trial lawyer, when you are in trial, everything else in your life has to take a back seat. The key is to take the time to make up for last opportunities when things slow down. BASS INSTITUTE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 3591 Rockerman Road Miami, FL 33133 bassinstitute.org 2019 WOMEN IN LAWRegina M. Campbell, Esq. HER OWN STRONGEST ALLY I FIND IT REWARDING TO HELP OTHERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE FACED WITH CHALLENGES THAT ARE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND DEAL WITH ON THEIR OWN. AALM: When did you decide to become a lawyer and why? Campbell: I knew I wanted to be a lawyer since I was 6 years old. I am not sure how I knew what I wanted to be from such a young age, but I was always blessed with a strong sense of direction and purpose. AALM: What drove you to this career? Campbell: One of the things that drove me to become a lawyer was my sense of purpose, as well as my sense of fairness and my inherent desire to help defend and protect people. AALM: What do you find rewarding about being an at- torney? Campbell: I find it rewarding to help others, especially when they are faced with challenges that are difficult for them to understand and deal with on their own. I find it rewarding when wounds are healed and when I can help bring closure to difficult moments in people’s lives. I also find it very rewarding to be a part of the growing, building and rebuilding that occurs in the practice of law. After all, not everything in the law is about disputes or controver- sy, it is also about building people’s lives, businesses and dreams. AALM: What do you find challenging about your prac- tice. Campbell: I find often that the court systems and pro- cedural processes are not always in sync with the needs of our clients. AALM: How do you overcome those challenges? Campbell: I remind myself that judges, lawyers and clients are all human at the end of the day, and sometimes miscommunications and unreasonable expectations are what lead to further litigation between parties. Proper communication and helping set realistic expectations for our clients can often help overcome some of their chal- lenges. I not only try to educate my clients on how to un- derstand the law and the practical implications of such laws and the legal system, but of the significance that their choices have in a litigation. AALM: What was the beginning of your career like? Campbell: It was a new beginning for me, it felt as if I had arrived at where I was meant to be in life. That is not to say that I did not appreciatewhere I had been or how my past helped shape my future. Ultimately, everything I had previously been through and accomplished made me a better lawyer. AALM: How has your career evolved over the years? Campbell: In some ways it feels the same, each day still brings new lessons, experiences and knowledge, but now my career has expanded and continues to bring hopes of further expansion. Every day I meet new people and face new challenges, which I enjoy rising to the occasion for. AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Florida legal community is to women practitioners? WOMEN IN LAW 2019 “ PHOTOS BY CORPORATE HEADSHOTS USACampbell: I think the South Florida legal community is fairly wel- coming to women and it’s getting better each day. AALM: How do you personally try to help women following in your career path? Campbell: I encourage women of all ages that it is ok to have doubts from time to time, it is ok to wonder how they will reach their goals. I tell them that every woman has had the same concern at one point or the other, however they must believe in themselves and not be de- terred by anyone or anything. I remind women, they can be their own strongest ally or their own worst enemy. I remind them to make sure that they are the former, not the latter, and that if they do, nothing is impossible. AALM: Do you find that as a woman you face any challenges that men don’t? Campbell: Absolutely. I do find that there are men that do not dis- criminate against women and women that do discriminate against other women (and yes that does exist), I do unfortunately still find that for the most part, women are still treated differently. A woman’s strength and behavior is often perceived very differently and often negatively without a logical reason when compared to similar behav- ior from their male counterparts. AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be sur- prised to learn. Campbell: Before I became a lawyer, I was an entrepreneur. I am also a bit geeky and I speak Spanish. Nobody every expects me to speak Spanish with my last name. AALM: What do you most hope to accomplish in the future? Campbell: I hope to have influenced the writing of new legislation that improves the litigation process for individuals, businesses and families. AALM: What traits do you think make an attorney exceptional? Campbell: I believe an exceptional attorney possesses the following traits-driven, ethical, candid, humble, compassionate, a good listener, able to understand and see issues from various positions, dedicated and hardworking. The Campbell Law Group P.A. 400 University Drive, Ste 100 Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 460-0145 www.thecampbelllawgroup.com PRACTICE AREAS Corporate Law Family Law EDUCATION Juris Doctor, Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law, 2007 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Florida International University, 1998 ADMISSIONS Florida Bar, 2009 United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida United States District Court for the Northern Districts of Florida United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern Districts of Florida United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida PRO BONO WORK Camillus House Private Pro Bono Work HOBBIES Boating Water Sports Weight Training Dancing Traveling Hiking FAVORITE QUOTE “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido QubeinAALM: What do you find rewarding about being an attorney? What do you find chal- lenging about your practice? CC: As a partner in RCC Family Law, I have the opportunity to make a difference, a real difference. I empower people seeking a bet- ter life for themselves and their children. That is my calling and my reward. What could be better than that? It is my challenge as well. It is a challenge to guide my clients with the objective guidance of an independent professional in matters that are filled with passion. Their relationship with family law counsel transcends other profes- sional relationships. They need counsel that is capable, acces- sible and accountable. I am charged with the responsibility to meet each client’s present le- gal needs while nurturing each client’s spirit. If I meet that challenge my reward is that at the end of the case my clients realize they are stronger than when they started, and secure in their future. AALM: How is your career different today than you envisioned in law school? CC: In law school, I envisioned law as a ca- reer that would be black and white “according to the law.” The reality is that there are so many factors to consider when representing each client. Family law is technicolor, not black and white. I understood that there would be well established “black letter law” but I have now experienced that in family law there are many circumstances in which there are no rules. Not only are you required to be sensitive and understanding, but you must understand that there is the law, the story the people tell them- selves, and the details in between. AALM: What first drew you to your firm? Tell us about your role there. CC: I graduated law school in 2012 and started working with Richard J. Preira, Esq. while I was awaiting my Florida Bar exam results. Mr. Preira has been practicing fam- ily law since 1981. His expertise in family law created the ideal environment to nurture my passion for family law. The moment I was in- formed that I had passed the Florida Bar, I became his associate. We worked together and tried cases together at larger international law firms until 2017 when we opened our own boutique law firm, RCC Family Law. FAMILY LAW IN TECHNICOLOR 2019 WOMEN IN LAW Cristina Cossio “AS WOMEN LAWYERS WE ARE SOMETIMES FACED WITH A DOUBLE STANDARD BASED ON GENDER STEREOTYPES. STRONG AND ASSERTIVE WOMAN HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR THEIR AGGRESSIVE ADVOCACY OR BOLD ARGUMENTS WHEN THOSE SAME CRITICISMS ARE NOT USUALLY DIRECTED TOWARD MEN.”RCC Family Law 999 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Suite 910 Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.rccfamilylaw.com (305) 351-9522 cc@rccfamilylaw.com EDUCATION Juris Doctor, Nova Southeastern University, 2012 Summer Abroad, Temple University, Beasley School of Law, Rome, Italy, 2011 Bachelor of Arts, Florida International University, 2008 FAVORITE QUOTE Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. – “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran We opened RCC Family Law because we felt that a small boutique law firm created a more flexible environ- ment to handle family law matters. As a boutique law firm, we are a small close-knit group that gives personal- ized attention to each of our clients. Our attorneys and staff are familiar with each client. This gives us the op- portunity to work as a unified team for the family’s best interests. We have proven our ability to best larger firms because we take command of our practice by crafting specialized agreements and case plans for each family’s specific needs. AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Flor- ida legal community is to women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your ca- reer path? CC: In South Florida there are many organizations and groups specifically dedicated to the advancement of women in the legal community. These groups, as well as individual personal dedication, have tremendously advanced the advocacy of women in law. Many female powerhouse attorneys have paved the way for younger generations of female lawyers to excel and continue in their footsteps to demand equal treatment in the legal community. As a member of multiple organizations and committees that are dedicated to the advancement of women in law, I never hesitate to reach out to a younger female lawyer to mentor or a more accomplished female attorney or judge for guidance. It’s also the best way to get to know colleagues and grow your practice. AALM: Do you find that as a woman you face any challenges that men don’t? CC: As women lawyers we are sometimes faced with a double stan- dard based on gender stereotypes. Strong and assertive woman have been criticized for their aggressive advocacy or bold arguments when those same criticisms are not usually directed toward men. Both gen- ders struggle with working very long hours, raising families, manag- ing a household and having a personal life. Women often have to work twice as hard to find balance while simultaneously following their pas- sion. AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life? CC: Balance in home and work life is especially important for family law lawyers. We handle such personal and intimate details of our cli- ent’s family life that the boundaries of a home and work life are blend- ed. I take so much pride in the satisfaction that I make a difference for families, the satisfaction brings a natural balance between work and home life. At RCC Family Law we remain available after traditional office hours because when you are dealing with family matters, most things happen after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends. The client’s family does not have a cutoff time and neither do we. AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be sur- prised to learn. CC: People are usually surprised to learn that when I am not litigat- ing family law cases, I am a yoga instructor. As part of my training to become a yoga instructor I studied asana and meditation. Clients have often commented that when they become anxious or unsettled about the uncertainty of their futures, I turn on my “yogi lawyer” voice to explain the potential outcome and this helps alleviate the tension of their situation.AALM: When did you decide to become a lawyer and why? Fabar: I was blessed with a supportive family that valued and encouraged education. When my parents fled Cuba, they had to leave their possessions, but their education allowed them to restart their lives in the United States. I saw my family share their food and home with those who had nothing. Those early life lessons permanently molded my value system and my focus to help others. My profession as a lawyer has allowed me to further develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively solve problems and protect the rights of those who cannot protect themselves. AALM: What do you find rewarding about being an attorney? What do you find challenging about your practice? Fabar: I take pride in solving problems and making deals happen – resolution is the goal. I am able to use my psychology degree and law degree to achieve resolutions. The most challenging part of the practice of law is being able to focus the client to understand the “road for resolution” of their case. Persuading a client to follow logic over emotions is usually the greatest challenge that any attorney will have with their client. Once that threshold is reached, litigation or any other legal process will proceed in a smoother and more efficient fashion. AALM: What was the beginning of your career like? How has it evolved over the years? Fabar: In my early years of practice, there were very few women in litigation. Litigation used to be a male dominated area of the law. I remember going to court and having other attorneys or the judge’s staff asking if I was the court reporter. Since there was a natural prejudice against woman, I overcompensated by over-preparing for court, which ultimately gave me an edge over seasoned litigators. Despite the prejudice against women litigators, my first employer encouraged and allowed me to be involved in some of the more important tort cases in Miami, involving products liability, medical malpractice and other negligence actions. As a young associate, I litigated against some of the top defense firms in South Florida which was an invaluable learning experience. AALM: How is your career different today than you envisioned in law school? Fabar: I envisioned becoming an appellate attorney. I truly did not expect I would end up in litigation. My mother thought otherwise. She said even as a little girl it was difficult to win an argument against me. AALM: Did you have any mentors or professors who helped you develop your career? Fabar: My mentor was Judge Mario Goderich who was the the first Cuban-American judge appointed to the Appellate Court in the United States. Judge Goderich is the epitome of a gentlemen, scholar and attorney. He encouraged me to sit during his motion calendars and learn what to do – or not to do in court. Judge Goderich always stressed the importance of preparation, punctuality, civility and candor with the court. 2019 WOMEN IN LAW The Road to Resolution Laura M. Fabar PHOTOS BY CORPORATE HEADSHOTS USAAALM: Tell us the funniest story you have from law school. Fabar: Caring for a toddler, I was somewhat unprepared for the domestic relations exam. Along with my good friend Mimi (now a judge), we convinced a friend to please review his course outline with us on the phone the day before the test. While on the phone, our children were at their worst, crying and making noise. We could barely concentrate. When the test grades were posted, our tutoring friend received a “C,” Mimi received a B+ and I received the Book Award. It took three months before he talked to us again after seeing our grades. AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Florida legal community is to women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your career path? Fabar: Major changes have taken place during the last 20 years which have encouraged and supported more women practitioners. The identification of gender discriminatory practices led to changes from the Bar and the Bench. Judges became more proactive at correcting discriminatory statements made by other attorneys that would have gone unnoticed years before. For years, I mentored women in law school or pre-law. I invited them to “shadow” at our office and become involved in hearing preparation. A firsthand view of what to expect in the future will help you determine if you are on the right path. My godchild spent two particularly stressful litigation days with me and within a week changed her major to education. AALM: Do you find that as a woman you face any challenges that men don’t? Fabar: I gave birth to my second child during my third year of law school. Due to the birth, I spent 15 days in a hospital. I received a call from the dean advising me that I had to be in school the next day or else I could not finish that semester. I convinced the hospital to give me an early discharge. I was dropped off at school where three of my classmates helped me walk to my class and carried my books. My friends did this for over a week and to this day I am eternally grateful to them. I survived law school with two babies, working part-time, graduated with honors, was selected for the University of Miami moot court team and received the Book Award in Domestic Relations. After surviving this, I realized there was no obstacle I could not conquer. AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving? Fabar: Raising two wonderful children that have excelled in their respective careers and as human beings. I cannot ask for more. AALM: What case most defined or redefined your practice? Fabar: One of the recent cases, involved the Missionaries of Mother Teresa who have a shelter for the homeless near the downtown area. The City of Miami tried to shut down their soup kitchen that had fed the homeless for decades. It was a case of David vs. Goliath and ultimately the Missionaries prevailed in their battle against the bureaucracy of the City of Miami. To this day, the soup kitchen continues feeding the homeless and providing shelter for those who cannot care for themselves. This was one of my pro bono cases that has provided me with a great deal of satisfaction in seeing justice prevail. Another case was the Elian Gonzalez case, where I was part of a team that dedicated virtually half a year of continuous pro bono work for a family that had no financial recourses otherwise. AALM: What do you most hope to accomplish in the future? Fabar: My goal is to be able establish a nonprofit organization to supplement the need for pro bono legal services in our community. Our community is in dire need of more professionals willing to give their services to help others. All attorneys should be committed to “put back” from a profession that has given us so much. Equels Law Firm 4649 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 495 Coral Gables, FL 33146 www.equelslaw.com EDUCATION Juris Doctor, with Honors, University of Miami School of Law Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, University of Miami AWARDS Ray H. Pearson GuardianAdLitem Award, Family Judges of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, 1996 Pro Bono Service Awards 1994, 1996 and 1998 ABA special recognition for pro bono work in Family law, 1999AALM: When did you decide to be- come a lawyer and why? Granda: Becoming an attorney had always been a childhood dream of mine, but it wasn’t until I participated in a mock trial as an attorney in high school, that the dream was solidified as an internal desire. It truly became a life-altering moment for me, where the drive to argue, litigate and defend would become a true passion. Once I shared my desire to become an attorney with my family, they full- heartedly supported and believed in me. They created very high expecta- tions for me and there was no turn- ing back, I honestly didn’t even have a back-up career path. AALM: What do you find reward- ing about being an attorney? What do you find challenging about your practice? How do you overcome those challenges? Granda: Winning a case is the all-time reward for any attorney, and equally for me would have to be: (1) the feeling of resolving a case where the parties reach an agreement on their own; (2) guiding my clients to develop their own terms and work together to come to a decision, espe- cially in family law; and (3) helping them come to a positive resolution from what started as a not-so-happy family situation. The on-going challenge is not tak- ing your client’s burdens home with you. It is a balancing act. Being a present parent whenever possible is my number one priority. AALM: What was the beginning of your career like? Granda: Establishing credibility amongst my clients and peers as a young 23-year-old attorney was a challenge I had to overcome. I worked harder to prove that I was confident in my ability. I fearlessly advocated for my clients and have built a reputa- tion as a fighter and respected attor- ney in my now 13 years as a practic- ing attorney. AALM: How is your career differ- ent today than you envisioned in law school? Granda: I have always envisioned owning a medium sized law firm. Ear- ly on in my career, at 22 years of age I worked for a medium-sized litiga- tion law firm during my second year of law school and I experienced sex- ism firsthand. After graduating from law school, I worked as an in-house corporate attorney and I knew that the corporate setting was not for me. That is when I decided that I wanted to build my own empire and branch out independently. I wanted to have a family and children all while practic- ing family and real estate law, which would allow me the flexibility to have both. Thankfully, I am living what I envi- sioned, which included having a staff and adding associates to my firm. I al- ways had a passion for family and real estate law, which are the two primary ar- eas of practice my firm concentrates in. AALM: Did you have any mentors or professors who helped you develop your career? Granda: Early on in law school Leonard Pertnoy, my professor in pro- fessional responsibility at St. Thomas University School of Law engrained the necessity of ethics and profession- alism and embracing that overall out- look in my law practice. Real estate attorney Arnold Brown, from Bilzin Sumberg was also instru- mental in guiding me to be a meticu- lous attorney and taught me every- thing I needed to know about real estate law from beginning to end. I am thankful to both of my men- tors for taking me under their wing, sharing their nuggets of wisdom and helping me grow as a new practicing attorney. AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Florida legal commu- nity is to women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your career path? Granda: The South Florida com- munity is very open to women practi- tioners particularly in the family field. I have found women practitioners to be more sympathetic and compas- sionate, at the same time advocating very strongly on their client’s behalf. I strive to hire interns in law school or recent graduates and provide them with the opportunity to train them into the attorneys that they want to be and provide the foundation of experi- encing the ins and outs of Family law. I extend that opportunity to all in my firm free of sexism and ageism. AALM: Do you find that as a wom- an you face any challenges that men don’t? Granda: In my experience gender challenges are a very personal issue based on client preference. There are clients that may prefer to work with a specific gender for their family case. The challenges I have faced are age bias and more experience based due WOMAN IN LAW 2019 Stephanie Granda HER OWN EMPIRE MARK T OMARES PHO TOGRAPHY to the years of practice I have. I have had past clients that have chosen to re- tain a more experienced attorney only to then return and seek my counsel. AALM: Tell us something about yourself that people would be sur- prised to learn. Granda: I played varsity volleyball in high school and despite my short stature, I was very competitive, receiv- ing Most Valuable Player accolades every year. I excelled tremendously in that sport and it taught me how to lead and be a team player. As a setter, I would receive the ball and then set the ball up to my team- mate. This is a great analogy as to how I view my role as an attorney, which is to set up my clients to succeed and have a winning resolution. AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life? Granda: I find balance in that I am there for my children first and then work. I make it a priority to be physi- cally present at every function my children have. At the same token as an owner of a firm, I am also respon- sible for my employees and my client’s needs. Every day is different, and I just roll with the punches. I am very thank- ful for my support system (my family and my team) which affords me with the flexibility to balance both, it takes a village. AALM: How are you involved in the legal community and the local commu- nity? Granda: I am a very proud sup- porter of Kidside, a nonprofit which directly funds professional positions at Family Court Services which provide vital resources and referral services to children and families. Additionally, KidSide has provided upgrades to fa- cilities at the courthouse to assure the safety of children and enhance parent/ child interaction. I provide pro bono services annually to the Dade Legal Aid Put Something Back Program, which provides com- prehensive legal services impacting over 10,000 needy clients, families and the community. Additionally, in the Family Court, I have been appointed as a guardian ad litem to represent the best interest of children and provide my legal services to the South Florida community. AALM: What accomplishment are you most proud of achieving? Granda: My greatest accomplish- ment is being a mom. Professionally, what I am most proud of is that no mat- ter what the adversity or how many ob- stacles I have experienced throughout the years, I have overcome them and come out on the other side all while growing my client base with positive results, receiving numerous awards and recognition of achievements. Most importantly, helping clients learn to co-parent and work together for the life-long benefit of their children. AALM: What case most defined or redefined your practice? Granda: A paternity case in 2016 that went to trial, where I was able to successfully win my client equal time- sharing despite the opposing client’s re- peated efforts of alienation and ending a two-year litigation. It was a very de- fining moment, which created numer- ous opportunities for my firm. AALM: What do you most hope to accomplish in the future? Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years? Granda: I would like to become a certified family attorney within the next five years and increase the num- ber of attorneys in the firm. In 10 years, I am hoping to have my eldest daughter working at my firm and training her to take the reigns of Granda & Associates in the future. AALM: What traits do you think make an attorney exceptional? What’s the difference between a good attorney and an outstanding one? Granda: One of the traits I believe we lack at times in South Florida is the professionalism and candor of an attorney. Upholding ethical profes- sional standards make an exceptional attorney in these emotionally deplet- ing times and is the difference between good and outstanding. Doing what is always right, creating reasonable ex- pectations for the client and maintain- ing the ethical mantra of the law are my firm’s mission and objectives. AALM: Is there anything else you’d like to add? Granda: I would like to thank Attor- ney at Law Magazine for featuring me and I am thrilled to be partnering with them and being a woman figure and face for women in the field. Law Offices of Granda & Associates PA 8900 S.W. 117th Avenue Suite C-208 Miami, FL 33186 (305) 595-4011 grandalaw.com EDUCATION Juris Doctor, St. Thomas University Bachelor of Arts, University of Florida AWARDS Trademark Women of Distinction Honors Edition, 2019 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys, 2018-2019 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 10 Best Law Firms, 2017-2018 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, Client Satisfaction Award, 2016 Minority Chamber of Commerce, A Good Outstanding Active Member, 2007-2008 Excellence in Practice, Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2002 HOBBIES R&R Travel Dance Mom Time with Family Miami Beaches FAVORITE QUOTES “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” AT A G LA N C ENext >