John Gomez is an award-winning attorney and the Founder of Gomez Trial Attorneys, a top-tier personal injury law firm based in San Diego. A Yale Law School graduate, he has extensive experience as a federal prosecutor and representing plaintiffs in civil cases. With nearly two decades in the legal field, John champions the rights of marginalized groups, gives back through charitable work, and advocates for societal change.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [1:28] John Gomez’s upbringing and how he became interested in law
- [3:51] John shares his post-high school aspirations
- [9:53] The most pivotal cases in John’s legal career
- [12:47] How John gives back to the Latino community
- [14:57] Why John launched The Lawtino™ and his vision for the podcast
- [19:26] The value and purpose of Latino community enrichment events
- [22:50] What is the Shades of Mass movement?
- [26:06] A message to emerging law students of color
In this episode…
Traditionally, the law favors people of majority status while discriminating against people of color. Emerging generations of Latino and other minority lawyers must fight for equal representation and treatment. How has one tenacious Latino lawyer fought to subvert antiquated social structures in the legal field and beyond?
Having discovered a passion for law at a young age, award-winning lawyer and minority advocate John Gomez’s advocacy began while participating in the Latino Law Students Association at Yale. As the organization’s president, he championed Latino admission by communicating with the university’s administration. Since then, he has represented Latino citizens, advocated for their just treatment, and encouraged further Latino representation in the legal field. John maintains that with more Latino lawyers, the law will evolve to accommodate the growing Latino population.
In this episode of The Lawtino™, co-host Jessica Lujan interviews John Gomez, the Founder of Gomez Trial Attorneys, about his advocacy initiatives for Latino lawyers. John describes his vision for the podcast, the Shades of Mass movement, and why he hosts community engagement events for Latinos.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “I feel like being a lawyer is probably my highest calling. I don’t think I could do anything as good as what I do now.”
- “You just gotta have faith that it’s all going to turn out good.”
- “Anytime we can affect change, make an influence, make a splash, we always want to be doing that.”
- “Reach out to people you respect in the community. Those people are going to be excited to talk to you and to help you.”
- “Commit yourself to excellence because what can they say if you’re the best?”
Action Steps:
- Cultivate cultural awareness and flexibility: Embrace diverse experiences and backgrounds by actively seeking to understand various cultural perspectives. This approach fosters stronger connections and enhances the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of individuals, which is crucial for legal professionals working within diverse communities.
- Pursue continuous learning and development: Engage in regular professional development activities, such as workshops or seminars, to enhance legal knowledge and skills. This commitment to learning ensures that practitioners remain effective and adaptable in a rapidly evolving legal landscape, as emphasized by the dynamic nature of the Latino community’s growth.
- Build a diverse network: Actively seek to connect with a wide array of professionals from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. A diverse network not only offers varied perspectives but also supports collaborative efforts to address legal challenges unique to underrepresented communities.
- Lead with purpose and community impact: Focus on making a tangible difference in your community by participating in outreach programs and legal advocacy that aim to improve access to justice. By prioritizing community impact, legal professionals can contribute to broader systemic changes, fostering greater equity and representation.
- Engage in mentorship and role modeling: Offer guidance and support to emerging legal professionals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Mentorship plays a critical role in empowering the next generation, helping them navigate challenges and become leaders within their communities.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.