From Setback to Spotlight: A Personal Reflection from NYC

There are moments when life, in one way or another, reminds you that every path has meaning.

Back in 2009, I came to New York City chasing a dream: to study law in the United States. I had dedicated six intense months to preparing for the LSAT — hopeful, disciplined, and determined. But when the results came in, I had missed the passing score by just 10 points. It was my first real professional setback — and it hurt. I left the city with disappointment in my suitcase, but also with a quiet determination that would eventually shape the rest of my journey in ways I couldn’t yet imagine.

Now, 16 years later, I returned to that very same city — not as an aspiring student, but as a featured speaker and award recipient at the LexTalk World Conference. Standing on stage, I realized this wasn’t just a professional achievement — it was a deeply personal full-circle moment.

Over two days, I had the honor of participating in two expert panels:

• Transforming the Legal Profession – where we explored how lawyers are becoming strategic advisors, adapting to new tools, and embracing multidisciplinary roles. Experiences like the one I had in 2009 — and many others along the way — have shaped not only my professional path but also the perspective I now bring to these conversations. They’ve made me not just a participant, but someone with lived insight to share — someone whose voice can contribute meaningfully to the evolving narrative of what it means to be a lawyer today.

• ESG Regulations and Legal Implications – where we explored the legal and strategic dimensions of embedding ESG principles into corporate frameworks, particularly within innovation-driven and cross-border contexts. Drawing from my experience in EU-funded initiatives and international regulatory compliance, it was incredibly rewarding to engage in dialogue on how lawyers can play a dual role — both as protectors of integrity and as enablers of responsible, forward-looking business.

Behind this moment on stage, however, is a long and winding road, one that includes moments of quiet struggle and hard choices. A forced resignation, an unfulfilling work experience back in Colombia, lonely holidays in France during my master’s studies, and the emotional weight of being far from my family — these were real chapters of my story. But so were the scholarship I earned in Germany, the top grades in my master’s in France, the enriching cultural experiences, and the projects that gradually helped me find my voice and professional purpose. There are too many moments to list — both difficult and rewarding — but each has played a part in making me the professional I am today.

Both panels at LexTalk were vibrant and inspiring, and I would like to thank my fellow panelists for their generosity, clarity, and genuine collegiality. It was a privilege to share those conversations with such brilliant legal minds.

But the most emotional moment came when I was recognised with the Legal Honor Global Award – Leading Lawyer of the Year 2025. It was more than a professional milestone; it was a quiet, personal triumph. A reminder that setbacks are not endings — they’re often beginnings in disguise.

After all those challenges, detours, and lessons, I can now say this with confidence: I love what I do. I wake up every day excited to connect law with purpose, to bring clarity to complexity, and to keep learning.

But the greatest reward? That I get to do all this while being a full-time dad.

Balancing legal strategy with story time, client calls with kindergarten pickups, and project deadlines with bedtime routines has been the most unexpected and fulfilling part of my journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Being both a lawyer and a parent has taught me to be more empathetic, more present, and surprisingly, even more strategic. It’s helped me build stronger relationships with clients, understand priorities better, and redefine what success really means.

In a world that often forces us to choose between personal and professional, I’m proud to embrace both—not perfectly, but wholeheartedly.

To anyone facing detours, delays, or disappointments, know that your path is still unfolding. The setbacks you experience today may be the very stories that give power to your voice tomorrow. Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that your journey has value — even when the destination isn’t yet clear. Sometimes, the most meaningful success isn’t the one you planned — it’s the one that finds you when you’re ready to share it with others.

Until next time, New York.