Christina Guerola Sarchio is the 2024-2025 President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), a nonprofit national membership association representing over 78,000 Hispanic attorneys, 18,000 law students, and thousands of other legal professionals. She is also a Partner at Dechert LLP, where she handles general commercial litigation, class action lawsuits, and white-collar defense in the consumer products, financial, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, technology, and sports industries.
As a former prosecutor and experienced trial lawyer, Christina has tried cases in federal and state courts nationwide and has negotiated with agencies, including the DOJ, FDA, SEC, and various US attorney offices. She has been recognized in multiple publications, including being named one of the Top 200 Lawyers by Forbes, one of 20 Elite Women by Hispanic Business Magazine, and a Top Washington Lawyer by the Washington Business Journal.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [2:23] How being a first-generation Latina-American shaped Christina Guerola Sarchio’s passion for justice
- [7:32] The Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) mission and political presence
- [14:48] Christina’s process for obtaining Latino representation on the judicial bench
- [17:33] Christina shares the evolution of her legal career and how her cultural background influenced her prosecution work
- [21:23] Overcoming challenges as a Latina lawyer
- [28:06] How to ensure legal structures represent Latino communities
- [36:43] Why Latino lawyers should join HNBA
- [41:34] Strategies for encouraging Latino lawyers to become influential prosecutors
In this episode…
Only 7% of lawyers are Hispanic or Latino, yet these ethnic groups represent 20% of the US population. This lack of engagement often stems from how Latino lawyers are treated in the workplace. How can existing Latino lawyers foster a community to encourage further participation in the legal field?
After joining a small law firm, accomplished prosecutor and trial lawyer Christina Guerola Sarchio was overshadowed by white male attorneys with less experience. As the only Latina lawyer at the firm, Christina was denied equal opportunities and mocked for her heritage. Despite feeling disillusioned with the profession, she joined the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), where she found community and shared experiences. Christina suggests becoming involved in Latino legal communities to advance opportunities and representation in the field. You can collaborate with headhunters and general counsels to recruit new and established Latino lawyers.
In this episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez chats with Christina Guerola Sarchio, the President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, about creating equal opportunities for Latinos in the legal field. Christina shares how her cultural background influenced her commitment to justice, how she advances representation on the judge’s bench, and the HNBA’s mission.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Christina Guerola Sarchio on LinkedIn
- Christina’s email: president@hnba.com
- Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)
- Dechert LLP
- “From Courtrooms to Community: An AG’s Journey to Justice” with Raúl Torrez on The Lawtino™
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
Quotable Moments:
- “Growing up as a kid of immigrants, we always talked about the value and privilege of being in this country.”
- “We really do work with all parties, and we really try to stay neutral on things.”
- “We have more things in common than we have differences.”
- “We are stronger together than we are apart, and we help each other.”
- “It allowed me to litigate, allowed me to be in court, which is something I really enjoyed.”
Action Steps:
- Join professional organizations: Becoming a member of organizations such as the Hispanic National Bar Association can offer personal and professional benefits while providing a supportive community that values diverse backgrounds. It helps connect individuals to a network of peers facing similar challenges, offering mentorship and opportunities for growth.
- Attend conferences and networking events: Participating in events and conferences provides a platform to learn, share experiences, and build relationships with colleagues and potential mentors. These gatherings empower attendees by showcasing a diverse community and can facilitate career advancement through exposure to inspiring role models and new opportunities.
- Engage in community and advocacy work: Involvement in community-based legal work, like supporting underrepresented groups, can enhance one’s understanding and empathy, making one a more effective advocate.
- Seek leadership and development programs: Enrolling in leadership programs, such as those specifically designed for Latino lawyers, can sharpen legal and soft skills, providing a competitive edge. These programs address the need for representation in leadership roles by equipping participants with tools to succeed and lead in their organizations and communities.
- Mentor and support others: Engaging in mentorship can help bridge the gap for up-and-coming professionals, encouraging them to pursue leadership roles and providing guidance on navigating challenges in the legal field.
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/.