Lauren M. Moreno

I think my support from my family has been crucial to my success. For me, it's just my ability to work hard, I guess, and to not be afraid of hard work. That willingness to put in the effort and not shy away from challenges has really been what's driven me forward in my career.

The best career advice I ever received was to just try everything. Even if you fail, just try it, because you won't know if you're good or bad at it unless you try it. That advice has really shaped how I approach new opportunities and challenges in my career - I don't let fear of failure hold me back from exploring new areas or taking on new responsibilities.

My advice to young women entering the legal field would be to make connections and to get out there and be seen. The proverbial shake hands, kiss babies approach - but really, get out there early in your career and start making a name for yourself. Building your network and your reputation from the beginning is so important in this industry, and you can't do that sitting behind a desk. You need to be visible and active in the legal community.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is that a lot of what we do has been relegated to Zoom. Getting that in-person courtroom experience is challenging with the transition after COVID. It's very different than having that in-person experience and really developing those skills - it's a different type of practice. While Zoom is convenient, it doesn't replace the value of being physically present in the courtroom and developing those critical advocacy skills that come from face-to-face interactions.

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are honesty, communication, and being hardworking. I really value people who work hard and aren't afraid to put in the effort. These principles guide both how I approach my legal practice and how I live my personal life - being honest and transparent, communicating clearly and effectively, and maintaining a strong work ethic in everything I do.