Jameris Ocasio Palacios
Where do you work?
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
What was your most rewarding professional achievement?
While I’m still very early into my career, the most rewarding experience to date has been my pro bono work. Within that, a highlight was securing a permanent injunction on behalf of a minor from an immigrant family against her sexual abuser. It was an emotional experience but I am proud of having helped her and her widowed mother achieve at least a little peace of mind while the prosecution of the abuser was ongoing.
What advice do you have for women in the legal profession?
To women in the legal profession: carry yourself with confidence and insert yourself into spaces when given a window of opportunity. Most importantly, do not sacrifice the things that make you “you” for the sake of fitting into whatever mold you have been led to believe is the key to success in this field. Authenticity goes a long way with clients, colleagues, judges, and juries, and you will enjoy success much more if you do not sacrifice your values and personality along the way. Embrace all that you are and what you can bring to the table, and the opportunities and spaces meant for you will find you.
What does your pro bono practice look like?
I’ve volunteered with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office and inspired some of my colleagues to do the same. It is rewarding work, and we have amazing judges in the family division who really appreciate volunteer guardians ad litem. Beyond that work, I had the opportunity to help draft an amicus brief for submission to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson and John Logan, arguing that the criminalization of homelessness is unconstitutional.
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