Angelene Ponce

I attribute my success to always remembering why I started doing this in the first place. I know it sounds cliche, but I didn't go to law school to make money. I went to law school because I wanted to help people that were in positions that I've been in my past, people who didn't have the help that I didn't have, and to be the person I wish I had in that spot for other people. When I get frustrated with finances or promotions or things like that, I just remind myself that the whole reason I did this is to be that person for other people that I didn't have, and it just helps keep everything in check. My background in the military as a combat medic also taught me discipline and focus, and my forensic science training gave me analytical skills that help me navigate complex legal situations. But ultimately, it's about staying true to my purpose of serving others.

The best career guidance I received came from my law school professors, particularly my mediation professor who became a mentor to me. He's been doing mediation for 27 years, and working with him has shaped how I approach conflict resolution. I still consult with him on challenging cases - I remember bringing him a situation where I was trying to help a pro se party understand their legal position without giving legal advice, which is a very hard line to toe. When I shared how I handled it, he told me he'd never thought of putting it in that way after 27 years of practice. That validation from someone so experienced was incredibly meaningful and reinforced that I was on the right path. He also introduced me to mediation in the first place through his class, which completely changed my career trajectory. Now I even work for his law office, the Law Office of Rob Eichelbaum, on a PRN basis, helping with cases when he needs support.

My advice to young women entering the legal field is to always remember why you started doing it in the first place, because sometimes it gets frustrating and it's hard, especially when you're trying to start off on your own, getting established and getting clientele. I know it sounds cliche, but don't go to law school to make money. Obviously, that will eventually come with it, but go because you want to help people. I started out wanting to help people that were in positions that I've been in my past, people who didn't have the help that I didn't have, and to be the person I wish I had in that spot for other people. When you get frustrated with finances or promotions or things like that, just remind yourself of the whole reason you did this. For me, it's to be that person for other people that I didn't have, and that just helps keep everything in check. Stay focused on your purpose and don't let external pressures pull you away from why you entered this field in the first place.

One of the biggest challenges right now is getting people to trust you and use you as their mediator when they already have another mediator that they've always used for their firm. The question is always, why should they hire me when they have their established relationships? So getting people to start trusting you and using you as a mediator is the main challenge. But I think one of the biggest advantages is that we live in Texas, where people have to go to mediation first to at least try to settle, especially when it comes to custody, divorce, and family law cases. Judges always order mediation first, so there's a lot of opportunity out there because everybody has to go. It's just getting your name out there, going to gatherings with other family law attorneys, talking to them and asking who they use for their mediator, and suggesting they try you out. There's a ton of mediations that have to be done, so the opportunity is definitely there. The challenge is just getting people to start using you. Volunteering also helps with that because you get introduced to family law attorneys and trust estates attorneys through the Dispute Resolution Center. I've done mediations for all different areas of the law and met attorneys that I maybe otherwise wouldn't have. I think they respect the fact that you're giving of your time and willing to do mediations for people that can't afford it, and that makes an impression too.

The most important value to me in both my work and personal life is service to others. The whole reason I went to law school was to help people who were in positions I've been in, people who didn't have the help that I needed, and to be the person I wish I had for other people. That commitment to service shows up in everything I do, from the extensive pro bono work I did in law school to the volunteer mediations I conduct now through the Dispute Resolution Center. I'm building my practice specifically so I can eventually work with family and criminal law clients who can't afford to pay very much. Beyond work, family is incredibly important to me. I travel frequently between North Carolina and Las Vegas to spend time with my kids, and I just surprised my son in the military for his birthday. My favorite way to recharge is hiking - I love getting out in nature, having no cell service, and just walking and exploring. That alone time in nature helps me stay grounded and focused on what really matters.