Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvia Luna.
Hi Silvia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If I had to tell “my story” it would begin with the story of the brave women who came before me – my abuela, mother, tias, and sisters. I come from a matriarchal family structure. My grandmother was an entrepreneur who owned many food puestos (stands) and restaurants. She had a strong business acumen and sought opportunities in construction sites throughout the state of Jalisco. My mother sought greater opportunities so she emigrated from Mexico to the United States in the early eighties with her three children. Once in “el otro lado,” she learned a trade – welding. For more than twenty years, she thrived in the male-dominated field despite rampant sexism and discrimination. From my mother, I learned grit, the value of hard work, and the importance of financial independence. From a very young age, my mother spoke my future into existence asking not “if” I would go to college but rather, speaking about “when” I would go to college. My tia followed by planting the seed that I was “too argumentative” and “should become a lawyer.” That seed was watered by the support of my mom and sisters. Because of them, I pursued a law degree and became one of the 2% Latina lawyers in the nation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been nothing shy of a bumpy ride. As a first-generation, there is no blueprint to follow and that can feel like a handicap. It can also feel isolating to not share the experience with anyone around you. That is why mentors are so important. Unfortunately, I struggled to find mentors early on. As silly as it may sound, I did not know how to find a mentor until a few years ago. I did not know how to approach someone about becoming my mentor and how to foster that relationship. Finding the right mentors is critical to our education and career success. A mentor can be the bridge between you and a job, connection, internship, and growth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Luna Legal Firm?
Luna Legal Firm is one of a kind! A Latina-owned law firm. How many Latina-owned law firms do you know of? Probably none and that is because Latinas comprise less than 2% of lawyer’s firms in the U.S. and California.
At my firm, we take pride in the fact that we deliver personalized service to our clients – in English and Spanish. When I speak to clients, I ask myself, “how would I explain this to my mom? Would my mom understand what I am saying?” If not, I look for ways to reframe it because communication is the most important factor in quality representation and that is what Luna Legal Firm prides itself in delivering. We understand that our clients are vulnerable, some living in the shadows of society, so we want to make sure that they feel heard. We want them to know that they have rights too – regardless of their immigration status.
My firm is known for helping people who have been injured in accidents, such as car accidents and slips and falls, and workers who have been wrongfully terminated, harassed, and discriminated. We can never go back in time and undo the harm that was done but we can certainly obtain justice through compensation.
We restore your best life with results that matter!
What makes you happy?
So many things make me happy these days. One of my students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), gifted me a five-minute gratitude journal for Christmas and I absolutely love it. It helps me reflect on the little blessings. For example, I take a lot of pride and joy in cooking for my family and watching them enjoy my food. I also love all things nature – hiking, trail running, and camping with my kids and fiancé. Giving back to my body and health has been one of the best investments that I could make. Lastly, I love empowering my community through my volunteer work with the Latina Lawyers Bar Association (helping to increase the number of Latina lawyers) and the National Latina Business Women’s Association of the Inland Empire (helping Latina entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lunalegalfirm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunalegal/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lunalegalfirm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luna-legal-firm/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/luna-legal
Image Credits
Daniel Acuna
