Where You Come From Doesn’t Define You

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

• [01:39] How Amber Gonzalez built a career as a complex commercial litigator handling high-stakes business disputes and emerging work in sports and entertainment.
• [02:32] Why women—and particularly Latinas—remain underrepresented in venture capital and private equity.
• [03:44] How the rapid growth of women’s professional sports is creating new opportunities for athletes, investors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs.
• [05:16] How Amber became involved with the Hispanic National Bar Association as a law student and why she has stayed involved ever since.
• [07:03] Why HNBA offers attorneys opportunities to participate at every level and build meaningful professional relationships.
• [08:15] How Amber and her colleagues are combining their legal experience and passion for athletics through their “We Play Ball: Women in Sports” panel.
• [09:36] Amber’s journey as the first person in her family to attend a four-year university and graduate from college.
• [09:51] Why your family background and the challenges you grew up with do not define what you can accomplish.
• [10:55] Why sharing authentic stories of success helps the next generation see what is possible for them.

In this episode…

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with Denver-based complex commercial litigator Amber Gonzalez. Amber discusses her work in high-stakes business litigation, her growing involvement in sports and entertainment law, and the momentum surrounding women’s professional sports.

She also shares how HNBA has shaped her career since law school and opens up about becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college despite significant challenges growing up. Her story is a powerful reminder that where you come from does not determine where you can go.

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)
  • Amber Gonzales on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments

• “It’s the only place in the world where I’m gonna sit in a room with this many Latino attorneys who have similar experiences to mine.”
• “It uplifts me.”
• “There are so many opportunities, and you can be as involved as you want to be.”
• “Where you come from is not the sum of who you are.”
• “You’re not less of a person because of your family background or because of the struggles that you faced.”
• “It’s really important for young people who are just starting out to see reflections of themselves in the people that hold positions they want to eventually achieve.”

Action steps

1. Get involved early. Professional organizations like HNBA can provide relationships, mentorship, and opportunities that grow alongside your career.
2. Find your level of involvement. Whether you attend conferences or help organize local events, participation can create valuable connections.
3. Pay attention to emerging industries. The growth of women’s sports is creating opportunities across law, investment, business, and entertainment.
4. Don’t let your background define your future. Your circumstances or lack of traditional privilege do not determine what you can achieve.
5. Share your real journey. Being open about obstacles can help younger professionals understand that success does not require a perfect background.
6. Become the representation you once needed. Your visibility can help others see that they belong in spaces they may have thought were out of reach.