In this heartfelt and down-to-earth episode of Verdicts & Vogue, host, Cristina Pérez Hesano of Perez Law Group sits with Personal Injury Attorney Brenda Echevarria with the Advocates for an honest conversation about growth, grit, and the importance of mentorship. What begins as a casual toast quickly turns into an intimate discussion about heritage, perseverance, and what it means to create opportunity when none is handed to you.

Born in Anaheim, California to parents from Mexico City and Toluca, Brenda moved to Arizona at six years old and grew up in Phoenix’s west valley. A proud Washington High School Ram, she went on to graduate from Arizona State University with a communications degree before later earning her law degree in Orlando, Florida. Yet, her story to becoming an attorney was anything but linear.

Before law school, Brenda worked in collections, tracking down unpaid car-accident claims for uninsured drivers on behalf of State Farm clients. It was a tough crowd—one that demanded composure, empathy, and quick problem-solving. She laughs recalling how, at just eighteen, she learned to negotiate with angry callers and still treat them with kindness. “You get more with honey than with vinegar,” she says, a philosophy that would later define her approach to clients and colleagues alike.

Her persistence and professionalism led to a full-time job with State Farm, first in homeowner’s claims and later on the In-Language Team, a specialized department dedicated to serving non-English-speaking policyholders. That transition reshaped her identity. Though Spanish was her first language, Brenda admits she had distanced herself from it as she assimilated into English-speaking culture. Rejoining a bilingual team made her realize the value of her roots and inspired her to refine her Spanish to a professional level. She immersed herself in Spanish-language media, practiced daily, and eventually mastered both linguistic and cultural fluency—skills that now allow her to serve Arizona’s Hispanic community with confidence. Today, more than 80 percent of her clients are Spanish-speaking, and she calls that connection one of her proudest accomplishments.

Cristina relates deeply, sharing her own experience as a mother, a lawyer, and a daughter of immigrant parents who wanted their children to succeed but didn’t always know how to guide them. Over dinner one night—a chaotic but memorable evening involving Cristina’s kids, toy dinosaurs, and laughter—the two discovered how similar their paths were: both driven by family values, hard work, and the determination to make their parents’ sacrifices mean something.

Brenda reflects on how mentorship changed everything for her. As a first-generation college student, she didn’t have anyone to show her how to fill out a FAFSA, apply for grad school, or study for the bar. It wasn’t until meeting her husband, Carlos, that she realized her potential. “He was the first person to make me believe it was possible,” she says. His encouragement, combined with her own drive, gave her the courage to leave a stable job and pursue law school.

Today, Brenda credits her career to that mindset: surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and seeking mentors who guide you forward. “If you don’t know the path, find someone who does,” she advises future law students. “And one day, be that person for someone else.”

From collections to claims to the courtroom, Brenda’s journey reminds viewers that success rarely follows a straight line—it’s built through resilience, community, and courage.

Verdicts & Vogue Episode 16 captures two Latina attorneys sharing real stories about motherhood, cultural identity, and empowerment in the legal world. It’s equal parts personal and professional—an inspiring reminder that no matter where you start, it’s never too late to redefine your purpose, embrace your voice, and help others find theirs.