Paloma Cruz
Paloma Cruz is an international business law consultant who combines legal expertise, business knowledge, and multilingual communication skills to advise clients on complex transactional matters. As a private consultant, she works with investors, entrepreneurs, and businesses on issues including mergers and acquisitions, term sheets, prospectuses, securities-related materials, and contract review. Her work is centered on helping clients navigate business decisions with clarity, transparency, and a strong legal foundation.
Before launching her consulting practice in 2023, Paloma built her legal career in both the public and private sectors. She worked with the Office of General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial Regulation from 2019 to 2022 before transitioning to private practice from 2022 to 2023. She also holds Illinois licensure and earned a District Court of Appeals certification from Washington, D.C. in 2021. Her academic background reflects her passion for both business and language, including graduate business economics studies at Harvard University and a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she focused on international business, trade, and intellectual property.
Paloma’s interest in international law grew from her lifelong love of language and communication. She studied linguistics at the University of Chicago, learning Spanish, English, and Chinese, and is also conversational in French and Italian. Through law school programs in Rome and Beijing, she deepened her understanding of comparative and international law while studying under notable legal scholars, including the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Guided by values of integrity, resilience, and authenticity, Paloma is passionate about helping clients succeed across cultures, industries, and borders.
• District Court of Appeals Certification
• Illinois Bar License
• Harvard University
• Loyola University Chicago School of Law-J.D.
• University of Chicago- B.A.
• Room to Read (Literacy Nonprofit)
• Frick Collection
• New York (Member)
• New York City Ballet Women's Committee (Young Patrons)
• Reading to children in English and Spanish
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to not being afraid to fail or worrying about what other people think. I haven't followed the typical path in law - you know, paralegal, junior associate, junior partner - so I've had to stay true to my core values. That takes determination and perseverance, and not letting outside noise dictate what's right and what's wrong for me. I've learned to allow my passions to guide me and not be afraid to pivot when opportunities aren't there. If something isn't available, I create it for myself or figure out a way to make it work. Being resilient and not giving up on my dreams, no matter the obstacles, has been key to overcoming challenges and achieving success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received from my many mentors, both male and female, is to be resilient and don't give up on your dreams. If an opportunity isn't there, either create it for yourself or try to figure out a way to pivot. I've learned to allow my passions to guide me and not be afraid to pivot when needed. This advice has helped me stay determined and focused, enabling me to overcome challenges and achieve success even when the path wasn't clear or traditional.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to definitely keep your chin up and not be afraid of naysayers or what's quote-unquote popular. You can do anything that you want to bring into it. Don't be afraid of what other people think, because you might not follow the typical path - and that's okay. Just stay true to your core values. That takes determination and perseverance, and you can't let outside noise dictate what's right and what's wrong for you. Believe in yourself first, because that's where it all starts.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A challenge in my field would definitely be access - there are many barriers to entry right now, especially sometimes with ethnicity too. I'm having to face that myself. Right away, there's often a push like, 'oh, you speak Spanish, immigration law,' which is okay, but sometimes there are opportunities that maybe they don't think you're a good fit for based on assumptions. The key is reasserting your skill set and selecting what brings you happiness and what brings you success. Despite these barriers, the opportunity lies in staying true to yourself and being authentic while going for your goals. For those who remain resilient in their pursuit, there are significant opportunities to succeed and make an impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity and transparency - those are at the core of everything I do. These values guide my decisions and interactions, allowing me to build trust and make a meaningful impact. I also deeply value building good relationships and demonstrating compassion to my clients' needs. Being compassionate and empathetic in understanding what my clients are going through is essential to how I approach my work and my personal relationships.