From Self-Doubt to “You Belong”

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• [02:28] How April Toy’s unconventional path—from growing up in rural Northern California to academic struggles—eventually led her to law school.
• [04:40] Why stepping beyond the boundaries we set for ourselves can open doors to unexpected careers and opportunities.
• [04:58] How volunteering with the San Francisco Tenants Union gave April valuable real-world advocacy experience before law school.
• [09:31] How April discovered that her personality was an asset in litigation, using storytelling, logic, and connection instead of an aggressive approach.
• [13:20] Why the Hispanic National Bar Association became a professional community and support system for April.
• [15:05] Why the first year of practicing law can feel overwhelming—and why young attorneys shouldn’t mistake early struggles for failure.
• [17:11] How attorneys can become more involved with HNBA through divisions, sections, committees, and leadership roles.
• [20:36] April’s candid story about alcoholism, the role stress and professional culture played in her addiction, and her journey to sobriety.
• [23:07] Why April now speaks openly about recovery so other professionals struggling with addiction know they are not alone.
• [26:18] How overcoming personal and professional obstacles can build resilience and help people transcend the limits they once placed on themselves.
• [27:38] April’s advice for anyone wondering whether they belong in the legal profession: there is a place for everyone in law.
• [28:48] The simple message April would write in the sky for everyone to see: “You belong.”

In this episode…

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with attorney and former HNBA Vice President of Divisions, Sections, and Committees April Toy. April shares her unconventional journey from growing up in rural Northern California to building a career in litigation, explaining how storytelling, authenticity, and human connection became some of her greatest strengths as an attorney.

The conversation also explores the importance of community and mentorship within HNBA, the challenges young lawyers face when entering the profession, and the resilience required to push beyond self-imposed boundaries. In a deeply personal part of the episode, April opens up about her struggle with alcoholism, her path to sobriety, and why she now shares her experience to help other professionals who may be struggling in silence. Ultimately, her story carries a powerful message for aspiring lawyers and professionals who question whether they belong: there is room for you.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
• John Gomez on LinkedIn 
• David Arreguin on LinkedIn
• Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)
• April Toy on LinkedIn

Quotable moments

• “I use charm, I use logic, I use storytelling because that’s our culture. We’re storytellers.” 
• “If I’m just showing up to the movie, how do I tell the story of my client?” 
• “The first year is gonna be hard. You’re gonna feel like you fail all the time. But stick with it.” 
• “There’s nothing you want more than alcohol, and there’s nothing you want more than to be free of it.” 
• “We have to sort of transcend… what I was thinking was like my boundaries.” 
• “There’s a place for everyone in the law.” 
• “Just do it.”
• “You belong.” 

Action steps

1. Challenge the boundaries you’ve placed on yourself. Don’t eliminate a career or opportunity simply because you haven’t seen people with your background take that path.
2. Get real-world experience early. Volunteer, advocate, intern, or work with organizations where you can practice communicating with people and solving actual problems.
3. Develop your own professional style. Success in litigation doesn’t require copying someone else’s personality. Identify whether storytelling, logic, empathy, creativity, or another strength helps you connect with people.
4. Find your professional community. Organizations like HNBA can provide mentorship, relationships, leadership opportunities, and support that extend far beyond traditional networking.
5. Expect the beginning of your career to be difficult. Feeling uncertain or making mistakes as a new attorney doesn’t mean you don’t belong in the profession.
6. Ask for help when you need it. Whether the challenge is professional or personal, isolation can make difficult circumstances harder. Reach out to trusted people and appropriate support resources.
7. Use your experiences to help someone else. Sharing struggles and lessons learned can make it easier for others facing similar challenges to seek support.
8. Remember that there is more than one way to practice law. Litigation, in-house counsel, government work, and other paths offer different opportunities to build a career around your individual strengths.
9. Keep April’s closing message in mind: “You belong.” Don’t let an unconventional background or difficult chapter convince you that you don’t deserve a seat at the table.