Episode 3: Cristina Perez and Kari Ramos: Strength Through Adversity, Leadership Through Experience

In this powerful and deeply human episode of Verdicts & Vogue, Cristina Perez sits down with attorney and advocate Kari Ramos for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about strength, personal growth, and the often-unseen sides of practicing law as a woman.

From growing up in a rural Nevada town with no grocery store or law enforcement to becoming a legal force of her own, Kari shares how her upbringing shaped her curiosity, independence, and resilience. She opens up about the early chapters of her life—being one of eight children, learning grit through family survival, and building people skills through jobs like bartending, sales, and even an unexpected journey into beauty pageants that taught her the power of public presence and personal branding.

But the conversation digs even deeper. Kari vulnerably shares how her experience as a victim of sexual assault led her to law school—not to chase prestige, but to give a voice to others who often feel unheard. This pivotal experience reshaped her worldview and ignited a passion for advocacy rooted in empathy, presence, and integrity.

Cristina and Kari explore how being an empath is both a gift and a challenge in the legal field. Kari describes how she navigates the emotional weight of trauma-heavy cases by intentionally restoring her senses—sight, hearing, and touch—after intense days of client grief, medical images, or heartbreaking testimonies. It’s a perspective rarely shared so openly in the legal profession.

The episode also highlights Kari's unexpected journey into horse training—yes, wild horse training—which she credits with teaching her patience, influence over control, and the importance of doing something before you’re ready. Her story of impulsively buying two wild horses during a cross-country road trip (and lying about having a “horse port”) is both hilarious and profoundly illustrative of her mindset: jump in, then figure it out with humility and resourcefulness.

Cristina also invites Kari to reflect on a recent chapter of personal adversity—supporting her fiancé through a life-threatening medical emergency. Without going into private details, Kari shares the hard-earned lessons about grace under pressure, character built in quiet moments, and how small habits like daily gratitude can become life-saving anchors in crisis.

Throughout the episode, the two attorneys exchange real-world insights on what it means to be a woman in law—how ego, reputation, and fear often block collaboration, and how asking for help, even as a seasoned professional, can redefine your career. From difficult professional lessons to moments of quiet mentorship, this episode is a masterclass in authenticity, vulnerability, and the quiet power of doing the right thing.

Whether you’re a young attorney, a survivor, a leader, or simply someone navigating hard things, Kari’s story is a reminder that you don’t need all the answers to get started—you just need the courage to move forward before you're ready.