What inspired you to pursue a law career? My experience as an immigrant to this great country inspired me to pursue a legal career. More specifically, I was inspired by an experience I had in college volunteering as an interpreter at an immigration law clinic which provided free legal services to recently arrived migrants. I was also inspired by one of my great-grandfathers on my mother’s side who died at a young age but had served as a lawyer and judge of distinction in my native Nicaragua and used his legal training to argue for the independence and sovereignty of Nicaragua.

Why did you choose the areas of law that you practice? I have always been interested in international and cross-border issues. I explored this interest in law school and in my first job as a lawyer. When I had the opportunity to join this firm (then known as Astigarraga Davis), I knew it was one of the city’s premier international firms. The chance to work on international and cross-border cases on behalf of victims of fraud was a challenge that I was thrilled to take on.

What skills do you draw upon when it comes to your specific practice areas? I supervise and handle cases from and in various jurisdictions around the world. A very large percentage of them touch the Spanish-speaking, civil law, world. Over the years my legal Spanish has grown tremendously, and I now use Spanish daily in my interactions with clients and co-counsel. The ability to translate between the languages and, more importantly, between the civil and common law systems is a skill that I draw upon every day.

What is the most rewarding part about your job? The most rewarding part of my job is helping victims of fraud who have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous people who think – incorrectly – that they are untouchable and above the law.

Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career. I’ve been very fortunate to have great mentors throughout my life. In terms of mentorship in my legal career, I credit my law partner Ed Davis for being a great mentor throughout the almost 19 years we’ve been working together. Those who know Ed know that he relishes the chance to mentor because he himself had great mentors in his own career. I now try to do the same for younger lawyers.

If you weren’t practicing law, what would you be doing? I have loved history throughout my life and majored in it in college, so maybe teaching history.

What might people be surprised to learn about you? That my family and I arrived as asylum seekers when we came to the United States.

What is a good book or article you read recently? I read a lot for pleasure. I also listen to audiobooks during my long commutes. I recently enjoyed You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrique and Far North by Marcel Theroux, both audiobooks with great narrators. I also really enjoyed The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt.