Lissy Lopez Guzman
Lissy Lopez Guzman is a foreign-trained attorney and U.S. Army veteran currently pursuing an LL.M. in U.S. Law at St. John’s University School of Law as part of her path toward U.S. bar licensure. Her academic work includes published legal research in Colombia on family law and gender-based legal analysis. Her professional background spans public service, regulatory compliance, and legal support roles across Colombia and the United States.
Through her firm, Lopez Consulting LLC, Lissy provides bilingual, non-representational legal support and compliance services to individuals and small businesses. Her work includes immigration and uncontested divorce document preparation, procedural coordination for court and agency filings, notarizations, document authentication and apostille coordination, as well as English–Spanish translation services.
In her business-facing work, Lissy conducts operational compliance audits, reviewing licensing, insurance, bonding, certifications, and regulatory requirements to help companies identify and reduce exposure to legal and financial risk. She also develops internal policies, employee handbooks, and operational manuals related to hiring practices, workplace safety, and company vehicle use, ensuring organizational clarity and procedural accountability.
In addition, Lissy manages back-office and compliance operations for a medical supply company, where she supports workflow organization, documentation standards, and regulatory readiness within a highly regulated industry.
Prior to relocating to the United States, Lissy built her legal career in Colombia within the public sector, serving as an administrative attorney in a governor’s office and working on tax compliance, citizen services, and government-led legal initiatives. She holds a law degree with a specialization in administrative law from Universidad Simón Bolívar.
Across all areas of her work, Lissy is known for a disciplined, methodical approach focused on process integrity, risk reduction, and long-term compliance. Her mission is to bridge legal systems and practical execution, empowering immigrant communities and business owners through clear, step-by-step pathways toward lawful and sustainable outcomes.
• Legal Writing Course
• Wedding Officiant NY/NJ
• New York State Notary Public
• Immigration Paralegal Training
• Defensive Asylum Course
• Immigration Practice Clinic (Course)
• Universidad Simon Bolivar - LL.B. (Law), Administratice Law Concentration
• U.S. Army Veteran
• Merit-Based Scholarship Recipient
• Published Legal Research (2016)
• Academic Distinction – Law Degree
• Academic Distinction – Administrative Law Specialization
• Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA)
• American Bar Association (ABA) – Student Member
• Immigration Law–Related Professional Associations (Non-Attorney Memberships)
• Community-Based Immigration & Document Assistance (Volunteer)
• Pro Bono Translation & Notary Support for Immigrant Families
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to discipline, consistency, and a deep understanding of how institutions operate. My professional journey has required rebuilding credentials across legal systems, mastering a second professional language, and advancing my education while remaining economically and professionally active.
Rather than seeking shortcuts, I have focused on incremental progress, developing technical skill, procedural accuracy, and institutional literacy step by step. My background in public service, combined with military discipline and legal training, has shaped a methodical approach grounded in responsibility, resilience, and long-term vision.
This mindset has allowed me to support immigrant communities and small businesses with clarity and structure, while continuing to build a sustainable professional path rooted in service, accountability, and impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to focus on understanding the system before trying to change it. Credentials, processes, and institutional rules matter, and long-term success comes from mastering them patiently rather than looking for shortcuts.
That perspective taught me to value discipline, preparation, and incremental progress, especially when rebuilding a professional career across borders.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering the legal field to be strategic about their growth and realistic about timelines. Learn how institutions operate, respect the value of credentials, and don’t underestimate the power of consistency.
Progress in law is rarely immediate. Build skills, protect your integrity, and allow yourself to advance step by step. Sustainable careers are built through preparation, resilience, and a clear long-term vision, not urgency or comparison.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the growing complexity of legal and regulatory systems, particularly for immigrant communities and small businesses that lack access to clear, reliable guidance. Procedural errors, misinformation, and misunderstanding of requirements continue to create unnecessary risk and delays.
At the same time, this presents a significant opportunity to build structured, compliance-focused support models that prioritize accuracy, transparency, and education. Professionals who can bridge institutional requirements with practical execution play a critical role in improving access, efficiency, and long-term stability within these systems.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, accountability, and service are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. In my work, I prioritize accuracy, ethical responsibility, and respect for institutional processes, particularly in areas where mistakes can have serious legal or personal consequences.
I also place strong value on education and continuous learning, as they are essential for navigating complex systems and providing meaningful support to others. Personally, these values translate into discipline, consistency, and a commitment to contributing positively to my community through responsible, service-driven work.
