When people ask me what has shaped my career the most, I don’t always mention the cases I’ve worked on, the deals I’ve closed, or the law schools I attended. Instead, I often point to my involvement in the community. Civic engagement—whether serving on boards, volunteering for local initiatives, or participating in professional organizations—has been as instrumental in my professional development as any legal training or firm experience.
For lawyers, civic engagement is often seen as a “nice-to-have,” a way to give back after a busy week. I’ve learned it’s much more than that. It’s a powerful tool for growth, for building skills, for expanding networks, and for gaining perspectives that textbooks and courtrooms rarely offer.
The Early Lessons of Service
Growing up in Miami, I watched my parents dedicate themselves not only to building careers but to supporting their communities. My father, an orthopedic surgeon, treated patients with care and integrity, and my mother instilled in us a sense of responsibility to the broader community. Those early lessons shaped my understanding that professional success and community service are not separate—they are intertwined.
When I began practicing law, I sought opportunities to serve outside the office. I joined local boards, became active in professional organizations like the Cuban American Bar Association, and participated in initiatives like the Orange Bowl Committee and the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. What I discovered was that civic engagement not only allowed me to contribute to causes I cared about, it also enhanced my legal career in profound and unexpected ways.
Developing Leadership Skills
One of the most immediate benefits of civic engagement is the development of leadership skills. Serving on a board or leading a committee requires strategic thinking, communication, decision-making, and collaboration. These are the same skills that make a lawyer effective in negotiations, corporate governance, and client relations.
For example, chairing committees on budgets, evaluations, or programming has taught me how to balance competing priorities, navigate complex personalities, and make decisions that benefit both the organization and the community. These lessons translate directly into managing client relationships, guiding corporate boards, and structuring transactions. Civic leadership becomes a training ground where lawyers can refine their ability to lead with vision and integrity.
Expanding Professional Networks
Civic engagement also opens doors to networks that can enhance a lawyer’s career. When you volunteer, serve on boards, or participate in community events, you meet people from diverse industries, backgrounds, and experiences. These connections are more than networking—they are relationships built on shared purpose and trust.
Over the years, I’ve met clients, collaborators, and mentors through civic involvement. Many of these relationships have led to business opportunities, partnerships, and professional growth, not because I was “selling” myself, but because I was actively contributing to causes that mattered. Being genuinely engaged in the community builds credibility, visibility, and trust—qualities that every lawyer needs.
Gaining Perspective and Empathy
Lawyers are problem-solvers, and solving problems effectively requires understanding people. Civic engagement exposes us to perspectives we might not encounter in our daily practice. Working with nonprofit organizations, community boards, or local initiatives provides insight into challenges faced by small businesses, families, and communities.
This exposure has influenced the way I approach legal matters. It encourages me to consider broader social and ethical implications, to anticipate potential consequences, and to craft solutions that are sustainable, practical, and compassionate. In short, civic engagement makes you a better lawyer by expanding your understanding of the world beyond the contract, the corporate transaction, or the legal brief.
Enhancing Reputation and Credibility
A visible commitment to civic engagement can also enhance a lawyer’s reputation. Clients, colleagues, and peers notice when a professional is actively contributing to the community. It signals integrity, commitment, and a willingness to invest time and energy in something larger than oneself.
This credibility is especially valuable in Miami, where business and community are closely connected. Leaders who are active in civic life are seen as trusted advisors, not just legal experts. They are people others turn to for guidance, perspective, and partnership—both inside and outside the legal sphere.
Personal Fulfillment and Resilience
Beyond professional benefits, civic engagement offers personal fulfillment. Contributing to causes you care about, mentoring young professionals, or helping a community organization succeed provides a sense of purpose that complements career achievements. It’s rewarding in ways that a financial statement or a contract negotiation cannot replicate.
Engagement in civic life also builds resilience. Law is demanding, and clients’ expectations can be intense. Serving the community provides balance, perspective, and grounding. It reminds us why we chose this profession and reinforces the values that keep us motivated, ethical, and focused.
A Call to Action for Lawyers
For young lawyers or seasoned professionals considering how to grow their careers, I encourage you to explore civic engagement—not as a peripheral activity, but as an integral part of professional development. Start by volunteering for a local board, joining a professional association committee, or mentoring students and younger lawyers. Approach it with intentionality: seek opportunities that align with your values, challenge your skills, and allow you to contribute meaningfully.
The benefits are profound: leadership skills, expanded networks, greater perspective, enhanced credibility, and personal fulfillment. But perhaps most importantly, civic engagement reminds us that our profession is not just about legal expertise—it’s about service, integrity, and contributing to the broader community we are privileged to serve.
Civic engagement is often underestimated as a professional tool, but in my experience, it is one of the most powerful avenues for growth in law. It develops skills, fosters relationships, and strengthens character. It creates opportunities that textbooks, lectures, or even courtroom experience cannot provide.
For lawyers, integrating civic engagement into your career is not just good practice—it’s essential for long-term professional and personal growth. It teaches leadership, empathy, and resilience. It connects you to people and causes that matter. And it ensures that as we succeed in our careers, we are also contributing to the health and vitality of the communities that sustain us.
In the end, engaging with your community is not just an act of service—it’s an investment in your future, your skills, and your legacy as a lawyer and a leader.