I’ve practiced law for more than three decades now, and in that time, I’ve come to understand something deeply important about the role of a lawyer. It’s not just about contracts, closings, or courtrooms. It’s about trust. It’s about showing up—not just for your clients, but for your community. Our value as lawyers doesn’t end when we step outside the office. In fact, in many ways, that’s where it really begins.

Growing up as a Cuban immigrant in Miami, I learned early on that leadership isn’t a title—it’s an action. My parents, who gave up everything to build a new life in the U.S., showed me that service is a form of strength. That stayed with me as I pursued my education and legal career. Today, as a partner at SMGQ Law and a lifelong community advocate, I believe that lawyers have a responsibility not just to succeed professionally, but to lead purposefully.

Bridging the Gap Between Law and Life

One of the biggest disconnects I’ve seen in the legal world is how easy it is to get tunnel vision. You’re busy reviewing agreements, negotiating deals, solving problems. It’s easy to forget that the law doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The people we represent live in neighborhoods. They send their kids to public schools. They depend on community resources, public policies, and economic opportunities just like everyone else.

That’s why I’ve always made it a point to step outside the legal space and be involved in the broader civic conversation. Serving as chair of the Miami-Dade County School Board’s Budget & Audit Committee, for example, gave me insight into how policy and public accountability intersect. The same principles I use when advising a corporate board—oversight, transparency, and long-term planning—apply just as powerfully to public service.

Too often, lawyers wait to get involved until they’re invited. I’ve found that when you raise your hand first—when you show you’re willing to use your skills outside your billable hours—you create real impact. And that impact has a ripple effect.

Business Skills That Build Communities

I focus my legal practice on corporate and transactional law. I help clients navigate mergers, acquisitions, governance, and structuring. On paper, that might seem like it belongs strictly in the boardroom. But I’ve seen firsthand how these skills translate into community building.

When I served as general counsel and later chairman of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I worked alongside small business owners who didn’t just want to grow their companies—they wanted to invest in their neighborhoods. They wanted to hire locally, support nonprofits, and make their voices heard in policy decisions.

They needed someone who understood both the legal side and the human side of business. Someone who could sit with them and say, “Here’s how we scale your impact.” I took pride in being that person, not just because I had the expertise, but because I understood their mission. I shared their vision for what South Florida could be.

Lawyers are uniquely positioned to help businesses and nonprofits think strategically. We can help them stay compliant, yes—but more importantly, we can help them be bold, responsible, and forward-thinking. That’s how you create resilient communities: not just by reacting to issues, but by designing systems that make success more accessible.

Representation and Responsibility

As a Cuban-American and a bilingual lawyer, I don’t take my visibility lightly. I know that when I walk into a room—whether it’s a courtroom, a chamber meeting, or a school board hearing—I’m often representing more than just myself. I’m representing a broader community that doesn’t always get a seat at the table.

That’s why I believe in mentoring and supporting young lawyers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. When I served as president of the Cuban American Bar Association, I focused on fostering the next generation of leaders—not just in law, but in business, policy, and civic life.

We can’t just talk about diversity. We have to invest in it. We have to create spaces where new voices are heard and respected. That’s part of the reason I’m proud to be a partner at SMGQ Law, a minority-owned firm where we don’t just reflect our community—we serve it intentionally.

Leading with Purpose

Over the years, I’ve had the honor of serving on numerous boards and committees—from bar association leadership to civic and sports organizations like the Orange Bowl Committee. Each of these roles has taught me something different about leadership. But the common thread is this: the law is a tool, not a silo.

Legal expertise is powerful when it’s shared. When you use it to educate others, to shape policies, to guide nonprofits, to build coalitions—that’s when it really makes a difference. That’s when you go from being a lawyer to being a leader.

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about being the most committed. It’s about understanding that what happens in your city, in your schools, and on your streets is just as important as what happens in your office. Maybe even more so.

If you’re a lawyer reading this, I encourage you to think about where your voice might be needed outside your usual circles. Think about what your community needs—and how your knowledge can help.

Because in the end, the goal isn’t just to be successful in our careers. It’s to be significant in our communities. And that only happens when we step outside the office, roll up our sleeves, and lead with heart.

For me, that’s not extra work. That’s the real work.