I work at SMGQ Law concentrating in corporate, real estate and tax. I’m listed in Legal Elite, SuperLawyer and Best Lawyers in America. I currently serve as Chairman of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board of Governors of The Florida Bar and member of the Orange Bowl Committee.
Fun fact: I was born in Cuba but left when I was 2 years old and lived in the Belgian Congo and South Africa after leaving Cuba. I spoke Afrikaans as a young boy.
What is your favorite South Florida dining destination? Cafe Abbracci
What do you like to do on weekends? Spend as much time as I can with my family, even if just indoors (which is essentially what it’s been since March).
How do you unwind from a long day at work? I workout quite a bit but if I’m not doing that, I do like to socialize with friends in restaurants/bars in Coral Gables.
What is your favorite quote? Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. — Mark Twain
From whom, or what, do you draw inspiration? My father and mother. My mother, although deceased, was the kindest human being I have ever known and she is never too far from me. My father’s work ethic and commitment to family resonates with me to this day. And my family, my wife and children. They are my most profound blessing.
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your career? Raising three wonderful, kind, good children: Mariana, my oldest, recently graduated from Harvard University, Alessandra is a junior at Vanderbilt University, and Christian, my (not so) little boy.
What has been the most challenging moment in your career and how did you overcome it?Leaving the big law firm environment and opening up my own PA. It’s not easy to leave that environment where all administrative matters are taken care of for you and you just have to bill hours and bring in clients. I was much more shy back then but I learned quickly that regardless of how good a lawyer I was, I had to communicate with people to let them know that I could help them in the areas of corporate, real estate and tax law.
What advice would you give an up and coming professional? Never lose sight that your reputation will make it everywhere before you do. Honor it, cherish it. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
