Member Article

In which office are you located?

Nashville

Tell us a little about your practice.

I work with clients that operate in the healthcare space or that are healthcare adjacent. My work primarily centers on providing guidance during mergers and acquisitions, as well as guiding clients through issues that arise from the complex nature of operating in a highly regulated industry. I also advise clients in matters involving clinical research and telemedicine.

Why did you want to become an attorney?

As a young immigrant, I was exposed to attorneys from an early age. I quickly appreciated what a great advocate brought to the table for their clients, particularly the feeling that someone who had a voice was in your corner. The thought that I could have that kind of voice for others was really powerful and inspired me from an early age to pursue the path to law school.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

It is a reminder that we are our ancestor’s wildest dreams. While each family’s story is unique, the shared experience of those of us living in the United States as immigrants or the children (and grandchildren) of immigrants is incredibly powerful. Knowing that someone in our family made the decision to give up everything and find a new home simply for the possibility of a brighter future for those that would come after them is humbling and something worth celebrating every day.

My naturalization letter from President Obama says it best, “Since our founding, generations of immigrants have come to this country full of hope for a brighter future, and they have made sacrifices in order to pass that legacy on to their children and grandchildren.” This month is in remembrance of all the sacrifices that have allowed our cultures to flourish and contribute to the country our families now call home.

How do you celebrate?

Food, learning, and Peloton! I enjoy attending events around Nashville that celebrate the vibrant and delicious foods of the Latin American diaspora—there’s never a bad time for arepas con queso (cheesy cornmeal cakes) or pernil y arroz con gandules (pork with rice and pigeon peas). I also make an effort to learn more about the rich literary history of our cultures by reading a book by a Hispanic author or learning more about an important historical event that shaped Colombia, where I am from. And last, but not least, I thoroughly enjoy all of the programming that the folks at Peloton put out in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. There are fitness classes themed around Hispanic artists or in celebration of important holidays, like Mexican Independence Day. I love connecting with other folks who share my culture by riding under the #PeLatinos hashtag.