Lucelia Justiniano ’08 | Local Law Advocacy and Mentorship

I was drawn to Hood College because of its strong sense of community as a small college. As a first-generation college student and immigrant, I valued being in an environment where I felt seen and supported. My interest in law developed from my own experiences navigating complex systems as a child and watching others in my community struggle to access reliable legal information. I realized early on that becoming an attorney would allow me to advocate for individuals and families who often feel unheard in a complex legal system.

At Hood, I enjoyed the classes that challenged me academically and personally. In my philosophy courses, I was taught to think very abstractly, encouraged to develop arguments and step outside of my comfort zone through in-class debates. I enjoyed the debates most of all, whether they were formal or done informally through class discussions. That environment helped me find my voice and gave me the confidence to pursue a legal career.

After several years of practicing immigration law, I founded my own firm to create a space where I could provide affordable legal representation to clients and build the work environment that I could thrive in as a new mother. Building my practice required taking risks and trusting my experience and my ability to learn what I did not know (like becoming my own IT support). I build my client base through community outreach and through referrals from my colleagues.

A typical day is dynamic—I work in time blocks and by task batching to be the most efficient. In the mornings, before my daughter wakes up, I have a 90-minute block for high-focus time to work on a specific case, which may mean drafting motions or reviewing filings. After school drop off, if I have a court hearing, I will head to court or login remotely. Otherwise, I will continue to work on legal work throughout the morning. I try to keep my one-hour lunch break free from work appointments to have lunch with colleagues, my husband or remote lunches with law school students. The first hour and a half of the afternoon, I answer emails and call back clients or respond to IM messages from my staff. I reserve the afternoons to meet with clients and potential clients scheduling up to four meetings in one afternoon. As a business owner, I also manage operations, mentor staff and think about long-term growth, so I schedule biweekly meetings with staff and reserve blocks of time to manage operations on weekly basis. Beyond the legal work, I dedicate time to community education and outreach. On Wednesday evenings, I head to Centro Hispano de Frederick for low bono and pro bono consults. Balancing these responsibilities with my roles as a mother and spouse requires intention and discipline, but it is also deeply rewarding.

My Hood education emphasized critical thinking, clear communication and a commitment to service—skills that are essential in my work as an attorney. I learned how to analyze complex issues, advocate effectively and approach challenges with empathy. Just as importantly, Hood instilled in me the confidence to lead and to trust my perspective, which has been invaluable in both my legal career and as a business owner. 

I became involved with Centro Hispano de Frederick through a shared commitment to serving the Hispanic community. In 2024, they only had one immigration attorney, and there was a large need in the community, so in July 2024, I joined Centro in doing low bono and pro bono consults. My work there focuses on providing legal education, resources and guidance to individuals who may not otherwise have access to accurate information about immigration law.

I regularly participate in workshops, clinics and community events where I help individuals understand their rights, avoid common pitfalls in processes and make informed decisions about their cases. This work is especially meaningful to me because it allows me to give back to a community that reflects my own background and experiences.

Take full advantage of the close-knit environment that Hood offers—build relationships with your professors, seek out mentors and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Get involved in internships and experiences that expose you to different areas of law early on.

Most importantly, don’t underestimate the value of your unique background and perspective. As someone who has navigated spaces where I was often the only one who looked or sounded like me, I’ve learned that those differences are actually strengths. Lean into them. The legal profession needs diverse voices and advocates who understand the communities they serve.

Learn more about the law and criminal justice major at Hood College.