Francisco “Frank” Guerra is the Capital Partner at Guerra LLP, a nationwide personal injury, mass tort, civil, and commercial litigation firm. Since joining the firm, he has litigated, tried, and arbitrated cases across the country. With over 25 years of experience as an attorney, Frank is board-certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before Guerra LLP, he practiced insurance defense and civil litigation law at Allen, Stein, Powers, Durbin & Hunnicutt, where he managed the Rio Grande Valley Office and tried lawsuits in front of South Texas juries.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [1:53] Francisco “Frank” Guerra’s story from small-town life to becoming a nationally recognized lawyer
- [5:07] How a mentor in college baseball shaped Frank’s legal career
- [8:33] The evolution of diversity within the Texas Bar Association
- [9:37] Frank shares how he established himself as a trial lawyer and partner after law school
- [15:36] Cultivating a team of top litigators and trial lawyers
- [17:43] How having a cultural background and being multilingual strengthens client connections
- [27:04] Frank talks about the intersection of law and Latino culture
- [33:59] Advice for up-and-coming Latino lawyers
In this episode…
Experienced and well-respected lawyers and associates are the key to a reputable law firm. Yet when both your team and your clients are minorities, it can be difficult to stand strong and earn an authoritative position in the legal industry. How can you remain grounded in your roots and strengthen Latino representation in the field?
Having grown up in a predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon rural area, fierce trial attorney Francisco “Frank” Guerra has tried countless cases against white attorneys and juries. While acknowledging to minority clients the difficulty of swaying a jury and winning a case, Frank has established himself as a dominating force in the industry by hiring diverse lawyers who can empathize with these clients’ situations. They possess the language skills and cultural relevance to win minority clients’ trust and exercise transparency with them. Frank maintains that wit, determination, and hard work can propel Latino lawyers to the top of the industry.
Tune in to this episode of The Lawtino™ as John Gomez welcomes Francisco “Frank” Guerra, the Capital Partner at Guerra LLP, to discuss how Latino lawyers can chart a path in the legal field. Frank recounts his experience founding and managing a firm, how his college mentor shaped his career in law, and how diversity has evolved within the Texas Bar Association.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys
- Francisco “Frank” Guerra on LinkedIn
- Frank Guerra’s phone number: 210-569-3459
- Guerra LLP
- Shades of Mass
Quotable Moments:
- “If you don’t have that chip on your shoulder thinking you have to do it better, then you’re going to lose your edge.
- “I grew up in a concrete plant… I was largely raised by my grandparents because my mom and dad were only 19 when they had me.”
- “Hispanic people are very cultural… they want to feel like they’re being treated like kings and queens.”
- “There’s no ceiling; there’s only hard work, determination, and going forward.”
- “The second you lose empathy for your clients… that’s when you lose the ability to give every ounce of everything you have.”
Action Steps:
- Seek out mentor figures within and outside your industry to help guide your professional development: Having experienced advisors can provide unique perspectives and opportunities for growth.
- Embrace and utilize your cultural background to create meaningful connections with clients: Understanding and relating to clients’ cultures can build trust and improve relationships.
- Cultivate humility and a strong work ethic in your professional journey: Frank Guerra’s success highlights that remaining true to your roots can be a superpower in establishing credibility and leading a successful firm.
- Be mindful of the jury’s potential biases during trial preparation and strategy: Frank’s experiences demonstrate the importance of recognizing potential prejudices and adjusting trial approaches accordingly.
- Encourage and mentor the next generation in your field, particularly those from diverse backgrounds: Supporting upcoming professionals creates a more inclusive and dynamic industry.
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/.