Member Spotlight

Diana Mendez

Where do you work?

Bilzin Sumberg

What type of legal work do you do? 

Public-Private Partnerships, Government Contracting

When and why did you join MDFAWL?

I joined MDFAWL in 2015 as a young associate at a small private firm. At the time, there were no women attorneys in leadership around me, and I lacked access to female mentors. I also realized that my referral network lacked diversity, particularly women. I turned to MDFAWL to build a strong, supportive network of women lawyers who could help each other navigate challenges unique to our experience—whether it was negotiating a raise or balancing motherhood with a legal career. My first MDFAWL event was a Corporate Counsel program where I didn’t know anyone and felt nervous about networking. Ileana Cruz, then President-Elect, noticed and warmly brought me into the fold, introducing me to other members. She later recruited me to serve on the Website Committee, where I helped develop a database to connect members. Nearly a decade later, I had the honor of leading the organization and, more importantly, built lasting relationships with mentors and friends who have been instrumental to my professional growth.

What advice do you have for women in the legal profession?

Build a reputation for reliability, honesty, and excellence from day one—and carry that reputation with you everywhere, not just in your legal work but also in your volunteer efforts. As your career grows, so will the opportunities—job offers, referrals, leadership roles—and they often come to those known for being dependable and resourceful. Also, become your best advocate. Be outspoken about your goals and boundaries and use the advocacy skills you learned as an attorney to communicate these in a way that people will respond favorably and want to support you.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you use it?

Just having a new baby, free time is a rare commodity these days—but I know that’s just a season of life. When I do have a moment, I focus on being present with my baby and my six-year-old son and intentional with how I spend my time. Motherhood has made me even more aware of the value of time and the importance of investing it wisely, both personally and professionally.