Page 17 - Palm Beach Vol 7 No 2

People place their complete trust in me to help with their speci c problem and being open and honest is a top priority.
gal issues. I believe that helping fellow attorneys improves us as a profession in general and can only bring about positive effects in the legal community.
AALM: How are you involved in the legal community and the local commu- nity?
Peña: I am involved in the legal com- munity in different local voluntary bar associations across the tri-county area, by volunteering my time as a mentor to students and practitioners, and by partic- ipating in free workshops for low-income families.
AALM: What compelled you to start your own practice?
Peña: I started my own practice to do more. The legal system is difficult to nav- igate, and a problem in one area can cre- ate or affect something in another area. That’s why a large part of my practice involves clients with interrelated issues dealing with family, immigration and criminal matters.
AALM: What case most defined or redefined your practice?
Peña: The case that most defined my practice is that of a young girl who was the victim of domestic violence, but who was arrested as the aggressor. Not only was the criminal matter an is- sue, this greatly affected both her im- migration status and her ability to care for her 1-year-old child. This led me to focus my practice to clients with these issues because they are so interrelated and interdependent.
AALM: What traits do you think make an attorney exceptional? What’s the difference between a good attorney and an outstanding one?
Peña: Exceptional attorneys not only have experience, but also aren’t overly pretentious about it. When an attorney feels that they know it all, that’s when they’ve gone down the wrong path. An exceptional attorney knows that the law evolves every day, that the same strategies don’t work in every case, and that every client has different needs. I believe an outstand- ing attorney knows how to connect with their client and look beyond the obvious issues, and has the ability to place him/herself in the other side’s position to anticipate what is needed to achieve what your client wants.
At a Glance
Peña Law O ce P.A.
6400 Melaleuca Lane Suite 101 Lake Worth, FL 33463 561-822-3493 www.penalawof ce.com
Education
Juris Doctor, St. Thomas University School of Law, 2013
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and French, University of Miami, 2009
Professional Memberships
Florida Bar Family Law Section Broward County Hispanic Bar
Association, President American Immigration Lawyers
Association
Broward Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers
Palm Beach Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers
Favorite Quote
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
AALM: How supportive are fellow women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your career path?
Peña: Fellow women practitio- ners are extremely supportive. We have created networks for both professional and personal sup- port as female attorneys. I person- ally help women following in my career path by offering my time to other practitioners looking for guidance and mentorship and as- sisting in researching complex le-
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