dfd (Photo courtesy TK
I had absolutely no idea what a lawyer was, but I could tell that my dad thought being a lawyer was important perhaps unattainable —and definitely a challenge! Right then and there, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer! So, when we got home, I told my parents about my decision. My mom didn’t laugh or brush it off. She didn’t tell me it was too hard or to aim elsewhere. She didn’t tell me that this goal was out of reach. Instead, she said, “You can do that too. Just study hard— estudia duro .” My parents instilled in my sisters and me that education was the key and the one thing that nobody could ever take from you. The confidence my mom had in me, along with her encouragement, became the foundation for everything I’ve done since.
fingers from old injuries, hands calloused from years of gardening, hands permanently stained by the earth—and would say, “Look at my hands —mira mis manos, mija. My hands look like this so yours can hold a pen and paper.” Those moments reminded me that the opportunities I had were hard-earned—not just by me, but by the sacrifices my parents had made. In looking back, my family’s legacy —the legacies of so many of us consisted of grit, perseverance, and belief in oneself. I practice employment law at a national firm, where I advocate for my clients and help those who, like me, didn’t grow up with examples of white collar professionals in their families. La Raza Lawyers Association and MANA de San Diego were both instrumental in my professional growth. Respectively, I served as its President and I am MANA’s pro-bono attorney. I am equally proud of my association with the Lawyers Club of San Diego. My community involvement is now part of the legacy that I’m supporting for the next generation of Latinas and helping to ensure the road to opportunity becomes even smoother and wider for them.
Arcelia with her father, circa 1971
Arcelia with her parents, graduation from UC Berkeley, May 2013
In my teens, I threw myself into my studies and got involved in programs like Escondido Youth Court. I was accepted to UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) and made it through with the help of federal grants, scholarships, and my parents’ careful investments in rental properties that they acquired through their hard work and disciplined savings practices. My sisters also went to college and launched their careers. I am incredibly fortunate to have had them help me demystify the process of pursuing a higher education. But when it came to law school, there weren’t any lawyers in my family. So, I had to figure things out for myself. There were no guides, no roadmaps, just the determination to make my dream come true, as well as the unwavering support from my family, and my mom’s words: “You too can do that!” It wasn’t easy; throughout college, law school, and even as I began practicing law in 2016, I often wondered if I could do it. But during those moments of doubt, I’d remember my dad. After long, exhausting days at work, he’d come home and sit across from me at the kitchen table. He’d hold up his hands—hands with crooked
Arcelia’s mother, circa 1970
Arcelia, SD Unity Bar Anniversary, February 2025
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San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 6 – Perseverance
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