Vanessa Vasquez de Lara of Vasquez de Lara Law Group is a business member of the WCC.
What is your business?
I am a family and probate attorney who ensures professionals have a fair divorce and that their family’s legal matters are handled from generation to generation.
Where are you from?
I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Miami when I was 10 years old.
How did you come to Miami?
I spent my formative years here and after leaving for college in North Carolina, I decided that there was nowhere else I wanted to live. I then came back after undergrad and attended the University of Miami School of Law.
What is your professional/business history?
I graduated from college in 1999, at the young age of 20 years old, with a double major in Business Administration and International Business. After graduation I decided that law school was the right path for me and I quickly dove into the UM School of Law. I have been a practicing attorney since 2003. I worked for several small firms after law school and in 2008, after having my two boys, I decided to stay home with them. In the 3 years I was home I purchased a scrapbooking store near The Falls. Although I only owned the store for a year and a half, it was a great experience in managing staff, marketing a business, and dealing with clients. After I closed the physical and online stores, I decided that I did not want to work for someone else and I hung out my own shingle by opening my law firm. Seven years later, our office has grown to 8 employees and a Dadeland location where 6 other attorneys sublease from me.
What makes your business successful/unique? Anything you take special attention to or pride in?
Our firm has been successful by focusing on our clients. I always say that attorneys are employees of the client and not the other way around. That is, I exist to serve my clients. They don’t exist to serve me. By using my 16 years of experience I can better advise clients with regards to when to settle and when to aggressively pursue court litigation. As a Super Lawyer since 2015, I’ve been recognized for providing excellent representation to my clients. I am also frequently contacted by Despierta America and other television shows for my in-depth knowledge of the law.
How is it running a female owned business? Struggles? Advantages?
My business is 100% owned by me and I can honestly say that it is fantastic! I love being my own boss. Since there are so many female owned law firms in South Florida, I can’t say that I’ve had any struggles specifically due to being a Boss Lady. The advantages tend to be when clients are specifically looking for a female attorney in order to feel better represented or listened to.
Outside of running the business, what are some of your personal interests?
I love to scrapbook! Whether in digital or paper format, I still love putting beautiful books and layouts together. Although I don’t always have the time anymore to spend on it, I still have a roomful of supplies from when I had my store. I also enjoy reading fiction and vacationing on the beach.