I realized early in life that a career in law was my calling. It was the perfect fit for the two personal qualities I’ve been driven by since childhood: First, my tenacity. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. When I set my sights on a goal, I pursue it relentlessly. Secondly, I’ve always possessed a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. I knew from the beginning that whatever area of practice I pursued would need to align with this goal in mind.

The path here was neither easy nor straightforward. During my undergraduate years, I balanced a heavy load of coursework with extensive volunteering for various political and charity organizations. On top of that, I also worked part-time in retail to support myself. I managed to graduate early in January 2009 – a great personal achievement, but one that also left me at a crossroads.

It wasn’t that I questioned my dream of attending law school; rather, it was the sobering reality of high-interest rates on loans and the uncertain job market in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis that gave me pause. I needed to navigate a new economic landscape while staying true to my aspirations.

Rather than delve straight into law school saddled with student loans in an uncertain economy, I accepted a position as a social security disability paralegal. The salary was less than ideal, but the job aligned perfectly with my core values and aspirations – helping people and gaining my first taste of the legal field. Law school remained my ultimate goal, and I decided to pursue it while maintaining my work as a paralegal during the day. This was a challenging endeavor, with evenings spent racing to class after a full day of work, often only having the time to scarf down dinner on my lap in my car during the commute.

Balancing my paralegal work with law school was difficult, leaving me with insufficient time for coursework. It was evident that my ambition was outpacing my capacity. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to resign from my paralegal job, transitioning to becoming a full-time law school student to better focus on my studies.

To sustain myself financially, I continued to work part-time throughout law school, primarily in family law firms. This pivotal choice also allowed me to devote over 200 hours of pro bono work assisting domestic violence victims in the Bronx, providing legal support during their most vulnerable moments. My experiences there further cemented my passion for advocating for those in need and enriched my legal education, granting me practical insights often missing from the standard curriculum.

After graduating from law school, I was eager to embark on my career. However, my intense focus on generating an income before student loan payments kicked in had a downside. I neglected to allocate sufficient time for bar exam preparation, leading to my initial failure. This provided a humbling reminder that while tenacity can be a driving force, it’s equally important to find balance and couple your hard work with effective planning and preparation.

I took a step back, acknowledged the need to adjust my approach, and retook the bar exam, this time after a two-week period dedicated solely to studying with no distractions. This adjustment led to success.

Today, I recognize the need to be intentional and never lose sight of the bigger picture. When something isn’t working, you need to adjust. Don’t give up, but adapt your approach as needed. This lesson has made me a better lawyer, one who approaches challenges with determination and wisdom, knowing that tenacity should always be paired with thoughtful strategy. This approach has shaped every step of my journey.

As a partner at Riemer Hess, I get to combine my two driving forces every day— my tenacity and desire to do meaningful work— in advocating for and protecting individuals from the tactics of insurance companies.