Few succeed alone: The importance of role models for women

Cristina Perez Hesano

Submitted photo

In a world still shaped by male dominance, women thrive when they have a powerful support network. The strength of their communities not only validates their experiences but also fuels their confidence, both professionally and personally.”

Opinion

Equal rights: Why we celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26 each year

In the United States, Latinas account for only about 3% of attorneys, and this figure has remained stubbornly low over the past 15 years. Leadership positions in law firms remain overwhelmingly male, leaving women, and especially women of color, to navigate a profession that can feel isolating and challenging at the highest levels.

As we shed light on Women’s Equality Day today, Aug. 26, it’s an important moment to reflect on the state of gender representation in the legal profession and the challenges faced by women trial lawyers.

Recognizing this gap, my colleagues, Frances Lynch and Ronda Kelso, and I started: Women of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, a committee of the Arizona Association of Justice to provide mentorship, collaboration and support for women trial lawyers across the state.

Our goal is simple but profound: to create a space where women trial attorneys can share experiences, resources and guidance, helping each other thrive in a competitive, male-dominated field.

Mentorship is what sets the practice of law apart from simply performing a job. While mentorship is valuable in any industry and can benefit nearly every profession, it has long been a cornerstone of the legal field, shaping careers, guiding ethical practice and fostering the next generation of attorneys.

What started as a modest monthly Zoom gathering called Cases and Coffee has since evolved into a robust statewide network. The group provided a casual setting for conversation and peer support, where attorneys could discuss challenges ranging from trial strategy to career development, or simply share encouragement in a profession that often emphasizes independence over collaboration.

Over time, it expanded to include formal mentorship opportunities, a free document bank available to its women members, Continuing Legal Education events led by women attorneys and a women-only listserv that facilitates discussion, resource sharing and professional advice.

The impact of mentorship cannot be overstated. Studies consistently show that women in law, and particularly women of color, benefit significantly from structured mentoring relationships.

Mentorship helps reduce feelings of isolation, improves access to high-profile assignments, and increases retention and promotion rates. By providing both one-on-one and group mentoring opportunities, women gain insights from their more experienced peers while offering younger members the opportunity to share fresh perspectives and ideas.

In a world still shaped by male dominance, women thrive when they have a powerful support network. The strength of their communities not only validates their experiences but also fuels their confidence, both professionally and personally.

It isn’t just about connection; it’s about empowerment. Together we champion one another, exchange knowledge and demand equity. We don’t compete against each other but instead we rise together, creating a culture of collective growth and unstoppable progress.

For those seeking to build or engage in similar professional networks, several practical strategies can be helpful:

1. Identify shared goals and values: Successful groups begin with a clear purpose, whether it’s mentorship, advocacy, skill development or all three.
   
   

2. Create multiple channels of engagement: Offer both informal spaces, such as casual virtual coffee chats, and formal programming, such as CLE sessions or panel discussions.
   
   
3. Foster peer-to-peer support: Encourage members to both seek advice and offer guidance, creating a culture of reciprocity and collaboration.
   
   
4. Highlight visibility and recognition: Sharing achievements and providing speaking or leadership opportunities ensures that members gain professional exposure and credibility.

For women in Arizona and beyond, this community stands as a powerful model of how mentorship and solidarity can transform careers and redefine what’s possible. What began as something as simple as a monthly Zoom call has grown into a forceful network that uplifts individual women, drives collective progress and strengthens us as a whole.

Editor’s note: Cristina Perez Hesano is founding partner of Perez Law Group, PLLC in Glendale. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.