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Meet Noreen Barcena of Barcena Law Offices in Pasadena

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Noreen Barcena.

Noreen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I used to watch my dad put on his suit and tie and take his briefcase with him to the car when he took us to school. My dad is a lawyer, and I remember when I was about nine years old he took me to “Take Your Daughter to Work” Day. I sat in the Courtroom with my pink sweater and watched him talk to Judges and carry his yellow notepad.

It was my dream to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. While I was in college at Pitzer College, I started to study psychology and my interests changed, but it wasn’t until my senior year that I took a class on migration to the United State that I decided I wanted to help people and become a lawyer. After that, I applied to the University of La Verne College of Law and was accepted.

The first year of law school, I was afraid all the time, but eventually got the hang of it. The remaining two years were fun, and I loved learning about the intricacies of the law and how one piece of paper can change lives. My last year of law school, I enrolled in the asylum clinic and was able to go to Court with my professor, Diane Uchimiya. She taught me the importance of knowing your case and listening to your client. After I graduated, I passed the bar (the first time, yay!). Studying for the bar was the longest three months of my life. I still get anxiety when I hear the songs that were popular around that time because I would listen to music to release stress.

The first month that I was an attorney, my dad handed me a case and told me: “you’re going to trial.” It was a really great first case to have – a driving under the influence case with a no driving defense. We ended up with a hung jury (which is a win when you’re a defense attorney). Eventually, the charges were dismissed against my client. It felt really great to help out the client because he had a newborn and was getting married. He said he was going to name the baby Noreen if it was a girl. I wonder if he did…

In any case, I’ve really been driven by the desire to help my clients, and help people navigate their way through the law. I believe that people deserve a chance and that they should not always be defined by their worst moments in life if they have a good heart. While practicing law, I’ve taken extra classes, taken the time to speak to my clients, and hear their stories. In my seven short years of practice, I’ve argued before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (it’s on YouTube!), done a number of appeals, and helped a few people along the way. I love being a lawyer, and I think it’s so important to have passion for what you do every day.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely been a bumpy road, and sometimes you learn that not everyone is forthcoming. I used to volunteer my time to an organization and invest half my paycheck donating, etc. When it came time for me to run for president, I won. Unfortunately, the people in power didn’t believe I deserved the position and fabricated a technicality to remove the title. They offered me a position to be back on the board, but I decided that my energy was best spent elsewhere. I would say that 2016 was one of the darkest years of my life. I was assaulted by a fellow attorney, I was belittled for my weight and was told that I didn’t have the drive and ability to accomplish things on my own.

I try to be genuine in all that I do because if you truly want to change the world, you have to start by looking within yourself. Compassion to lend a helping hand. Humility to know that you are no better than your neighbor. Determination to strive for your dreams. Passion to make a difference.

People always seem to focus on the negative in life. Being negative is draining and unfulfilling. People have underestimated me. Pushed me aside. Treated me like a dispensable human being while taking credit for my work. Questioning my success. The truth is: all you can do is your best. You can’t compare to other people’s best because they might have a different life-path and purpose.

In 2018, I won the Pitzer College “Young Alumni Achievement Award” for my work with the nonprofit organization, Ferias Legales. Two friends and I wanted to make a difference, and we started a nonprofit, I was the attorney doing legal consultations and Maria and Ricardo built it from the ground up. When we first started, I think we were worried we wouldn’t be able to make it. Now, I can happily say we provide legal services to many community colleges and the Los Angeles community. I look up to Maria and Ricardo and I am so grateful to them.

I am also grateful to my parents for always supporting me through the good and the bad. I opened my own law firm in Pasadena July 2018, and they were very supportive. My firm started with just me. Now, in 2020 we have two paralegals and a legal secretary. The struggles made it worth the end result. I learned that I have the ability and strength to do whatever I put my mind to, and I believe that we all have that power.

Barcena Law Offices – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our practice is dedicated to immigration law, family law and criminal defense. We provide our clients with digital access to their files, and we communicate with them via text messaging, phone calls and emails whenever there is movement on their case. It is important to our office that our clients understand the process of their case, and are apprised of the status of their cases.

We have been in the Pasadena area for a little over two years, but I have been in practice for seven years. I am currently working on my specialization in immigration law with the State Bar of California. Our office does volunteer work from time to time to donate our assistance to those in need. We do this volunteer work through nonprofit organizations. We even held a DACA Clinic last year and were able to help a number of Dreamers.

Our staff has monthly training, and we attend classes when possible to keep up to date as to the constant changes in policy and law. All the work is reviewed by an attorney before it is sent out. We speak English and Spanish in our office.

It is our office’s goal that clients understand what is going on in their case, and help them each step of the way. What is great about our office is that we work as a team to accomplish things for our clients.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Life will always throw you curveballs. But at the end of the day, it is important to stand up again, show your face to the world and tell her that you are ready and here to succeed. You can overcome! When you have a goal, you have to do everything you can to achieve it. You also have to be OK with letting people help you. I think success means being passionate about what you do and feeling like you are where you should be.

Pricing:

  • $375 – $400 per hour
  • Each Case Cost Varies on Difficulty: $2,000+

Contact Info:

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