Cristina Perez & Erica Gelfand: Standing Your Ground and Growing Through the Practice of Law скачать в хорошем качестве

Cristina Perez & Erica Gelfand: Standing Your Ground and Growing Through the Practice of Law

In this episode of Verdicts & Vogue, Cristina Perez Hesano sits down with attorney Erica Gelfand for a candid and insightful conversation about the realities of practicing law, navigating the legal industry as women, and the personal growth that comes with building a legal career. The discussion blends professional experiences with personal reflections, offering listeners an honest look into the challenges and rewards of life in the courtroom and beyond. Cristina begins by sharing a recent experience during a deposition where opposing attorneys treated her with open hostility, questioning her competence and speaking disrespectfully both during and outside of the proceeding. The situation highlighted an ongoing issue that many female attorneys still encounter: being underestimated or treated differently because of gender. The conversation explores how moments like these can be frustrating and discouraging, but also serve as reminders of the resilience required to succeed in the legal field. Erica relates with her own story of being underestimated during a wrongful death case, where opposing counsel assumed she lacked experience and openly spoke about strategy while believing she was not listening. Ultimately, the case resolved successfully, reinforcing the idea that perseverance and preparation often speak louder than assumptions. Throughout the episode, both attorneys emphasize the importance of mentorship and learning through experience. Erica discusses how she has approached her career by stepping into challenging opportunities even when she initially felt uncertain. From taking on her first wrongful death case to handling complex immigration matters she had never worked on before, she explains how pushing through discomfort allowed her to develop confidence and expand her practice. Cristina echoes this perspective, describing how working alongside experienced attorneys early in her career helped her develop courtroom skills and sharpen her litigation abilities. The conversation also touches on the emotional and mental challenges of practicing law, including imposter syndrome, stress, and the pressure of representing clients during difficult moments in their lives. Both women acknowledge that even seasoned attorneys experience doubt, but they have learned to view that doubt as motivation to prepare more thoroughly and continue improving their craft. They also discuss the importance of maintaining humility, strong client relationships, and a service-oriented mindset as key pillars for long-term success. As the episode moves into a rapid-fire segment, Erica reflects on the sacrifices made while building her firm, recalling the early days when she managed every aspect of the business herself and celebrated even small milestones like handling ten active cases. She credits her support system—particularly her family and mentors—for encouraging her to take risks and pursue opportunities for growth. The episode concludes on an uplifting note as Cristina and Erica discuss their goals for the future. Both attorneys express a desire to continue growing their practices while also taking time to appreciate their accomplishments. They emphasize the importance of recognizing wins, learning from setbacks, and continuing to support other women in the legal profession. Overall, the conversation highlights resilience, mentorship, and the evolving landscape for women in law, reminding listeners that success often comes from persistence, collaboration, and the willingness to embrace new challenges.