I hope that one day when children close their eyes and imagine an attorney, it is someone that looks like me.
As summer quickly turns to fall, this week we’re happy to turn the spotlight on Zury Molina, a summer associate in our Oakland office! Tell us about your summer experience at Fennemore Wendel – and what’s your biggest takeaway from your time here at the firm?
My summer was both exciting and full of growth. I had the opportunity to rotate through different departments which allowed me to work on matters both in litigation and transactional work. Something that made Fennemore Wendel unique was that I got to work with both associates and partners closely. This allowed me to learn not only the substantive law, but also different attorney styles and how they play out in practice.
You’ll soon be a 2L at the UC Hastings College of the Law. Are you currently leaning toward any specific practice group in the legal profession? And what does your dream career in the law look like?
When I started law school I was convinced that I wanted to be a transactional attorney, however, this quickly changed during my Legal Research and Writing class and my summer at Fennemore Wendel. I really enjoyed writing persuasive arguments and although I am still open to exploring what specific practice group I want to land in, I am leaning toward business litigation.
My dream career is one where the work that I do affects many lives and I can provide a diverse perspective, as a Latina, that is not only heard, but valued. Basically, one where I am able to be my authentic self.
Who is your hero – or the person who has had the greatest impact on your life and career?
My parents are my heroes. They left their home at the young age of twenty with very little and despite having no one and nothing, they endured many injustices to give me and my siblings an opportunity to dream big. Growing up they always told me “we can’t leave you money but we can leave you your education.” Luckily, I love school.
They taught me the value of hard work and humility. They were also teen parents, so I not only admire their courage and grit, and I hope to one day make them as proud of me as I am of them.
Talk about your biggest failure. What did you learn? And how did you pick up the pieces and move forward?
Before law school I was a teacher. I had not majored in education, so I had no idea how to be an effective teacher. I did terribly in my first observation, so I took the lesson and prepared an improvement plan. I observed master teachers and sought out feedback from veteran teachers. This failure taught me the power of discomfort. It taught me the power of having a growth mindset, which is a strength in the legal profession.
Who is your favorite lawyer depicted in the movies – or on TV?
My favorite attorney depicted in TV so far has to be Camille Vasquez. I know she is not a fictional character, but there is very little to no Latina attorneys depicted in movies or TV, so when I saw myself in her it was truly a special moment.
This is one of the biggest reasons why I am passionate about becoming a corporate attorney. I hope that one day when children close their eyes and imagine an attorney, it is someone that looks like me. That is one of my biggest missions in life.
What are you currently listening to (podcast or music); reading; and watching/streaming?
I just finished watching the South Korean television series “Remarriage and Desires” on Netflix. The funny thing is that the villain in the series is an attorney who uses her legal expertise (and personal connections) to cause havoc. It is the first Korean series that I watch and I am already looking for the next one. Of course the soundtrack of my summer has been “Un Verano Sin Ti” by Bad Bunny.
Okay, last but not least, you’re hosting a lavish dinner party at your home. Name the three people – from any time in human history – who you’d invite.
If I was hosting a dinner party and I could invite anyone, I would invite Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz because she was a writer, philosopher, and poet in time when only men and religious folks were allowed to do so in Mexico. Secondly, I would invite Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) because I would love to know what it’s like to be a Latina politician today. Lastly, I would invite my great-grandmother because I want to preserve my family’s history and I would ask her all about our heritage and ancestors.
Many thanks to Zury for your profound insights – and for impacting our firm this summer!
For more information about Fennemore’s dynamic Summer Program opportunities, please visit: https://www.fennemorelaw.com/careers/students/
