The Lawtino™

In this episode…

Recorded at Celebrando Latinas in San Diego, John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Marta C. Gómez, an experienced mortgage loan officer and community advocate who has spent more than 25 years helping families pursue the dream of homeownership.

Marta shares her journey of arriving in the United States alone at just 18 years old, navigating language and cultural barriers, and discovering her passion for helping others. Drawing from her own immigrant experience, she explains how financial education, responsible credit management, and access to the right resources can empower Latino families to become homeowners.

In this episode…

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association's Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Jackie Winfrey, a former U.S. Navy service member, experienced paralegal, and operations director, for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding your path in the legal profession.

Jackie shares how growing up in her family's restaurant in North Carolina taught her responsibility and leadership at an early age. After serving five years in the Navy, she pursued a career in criminal defense before transitioning into business operations and exploring opportunities as an...

In this episode…

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association's Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Juan C. Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Mastercard, and Arghemar Pérez Sanguinetti, a compliance professional at Mastercard, for a conversation about corporate leadership, legal careers, diversity, and innovation.

Juan shares his journey from Ecuador to New York City, beginning his career as an engineer before attending law school at night. With nearly two decades at Mastercard, he reflects on his experience in intellectual property law, the importance of cul...

In this episode…

John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Fabiola Gálvez, founder and CEO of Gente Bonita Magazine, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and connecting Latino communities across the border.

Originally from Mexicali, Mexico, Fabiola shares how she rebuilt her life after moving to San Diego and eventually transformed an unexpected professional setback into a business opportunity. When the newspaper she worked with stopped publishing, she refused to abandon her first advertising client. Instead, she launched Gente Bonita Magazine, creating a platform dedicated to celebrating Latino entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.

F...

In this episode…

Recorded live at the Hispanic National Bar Association's Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Adrian F. Snead, an attorney at Porter Wright, for a conversation about consumer protection, trial advocacy, judicial clerkships, and the power of professional relationships.

Adrian shares his journey from San Antonio, Texas, to Washington, D.C., including experiences at the Department of Justice, the Obama White House, and the federal judiciary. He reflects on how scholarships, mentorship, and unexpected connections helped shape his legal career.

The conversation explores why trials ma...

In this episode…

David Arreguin sits down with Agustin Peña, a Deputy District Attorney and President of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Scholarship Fund, for an inspiring conversation about mentorship, perseverance, public service, and creating opportunities for the next generation of Latino attorneys.

Growing up in City Heights, Agustin didn't have many professional role models to look up to. Everything changed when a mentor encouraged him to consider law school, opening the door to a career he once thought was beyond his reach.

Agustin shares his journey from community college to bec...

In this episode…

Recorded live at Celebrando Latinas in Chula Vista, John Gomez and David Arreguin welcome Adriana Reid for an inspiring conversation about conscious leadership, emotional awareness, personal transformation, and community empowerment.

Drawing from her experience in the Mexican Foreign Service, education, and human development, Adriana shares how cultural identity, personal experiences, and subconscious beliefs influence the way we communicate, lead, and navigate challenges.

She also discusses her work helping individuals and organizations develop greater self-awareness, the importance of emotional well-being in professional environments, and why lasting transformation starts with a personal de...

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with Aida Rodriguez, founder of Ascension Global Staffing & Executive Search and Ascension Legal Studies Institute.

Aida shares lessons from her career in legal recruiting and explains why emotional intelligence, executive presence, relationship building, and business development are essential skills for attorneys. She also discusses the changing legal industry, the growing importance of AI, her longtime involvement with the HNBA, and why creating opportunities for the next generation of Latino legal professionals matters to her.

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with attorney Albert Maldonado to discuss his journey from the Inland Empire to Harvard Divinity School, Northwestern Law, and a career in municipal law.

Albert shares how activism, his father’s advice, more than 100 career rejections, and his own struggle with imposter syndrome shaped the lawyer and leader he is today. He also discusses mentorship, community, and why Latino attorneys should recognize the value and perspective they bring to the profession.

In this episode…

Recorded live at Celebrando Latinas at the Gaylord Pacific in Chula Vista, John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with financial expert and author Louis Barajas for a conversation about money, mindset, mentorship, and building wealth in Latino communities.  Pasted text

Louis explains why financial literacy alone isn’t enough to close the wealth gap. Drawing from decades of working with everyone from working-class families to multimillionaires and entertainers, he discusses the cultural beliefs that can influence how Latinos earn, spend, protect, and transfer money.

He also shares why mentorship matte...

In this episode…

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with HNBA President Rosevelie Márquez Morales for a conversation about leadership, mentorship, representation, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Rosevelie shares her journey from Brooklyn’s public schools to Barnard College, law school, and eventually becoming the first Latina partner at her firm. She also reflects on her deeply personal connection to September 11, the mentor who helped her feel that she belonged in the legal profession, and how that...

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with HNBA President Rosevelie Márquez Morales for a conversation about leadership, mentorship, representation, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Rosevelie shares her journey from Brooklyn’s public schools to Barnard College, law school, and eventually becoming the first Latina partner at her firm. She also reflects on her deeply personal connection to September 11, the mentor who helped her feel that she belonged in the legal profession, and how that experience inspired her commitment to opening doo...

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with American Bar Association President Barbara Howard and President-Elect Laura Farber for a conversation about leadership, service, mentorship, and the power of professional community.

Barbara and Laura share how their involvement with the ABA began early in their careers and eventually led them to some of the organization’s highest leadership positions. They discuss the value of building relationships beyond your immediate practice, the ABA’s work involving access to justice and the legal profession, and the impo...

Recorded during Celebrando Latinas in Chula Vista, John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with international keynote speaker Erika Alfaro to discuss resilience, education, mentorship, and the power of sharing your story.

Erika shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Tijuana and struggling academically to returning to school, graduating from San Diego State University, and becoming a keynote speaker whose story has reached millions. She also discusses the viral graduation photo honoring her migrant farmworker parents and why she now helps other Latinas tell their own stories. 

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with Denver-based complex commercial litigator Amber Gonzalez. Amber discusses her work in high-stakes business litigation, her growing involvement in sports and entertainment law, and the momentum surrounding women’s professional sports.

She also shares how HNBA has shaped her career since law school and opens up about becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college despite significant challenges growing up. Her story is a powerful reminder that where you come from does not determine wh...

Recorded at the Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with attorney and former HNBA Vice President of Divisions, Sections, and Committees April Toy. April shares her unconventional journey from growing up in rural Northern California to building a career in litigation, explaining how storytelling, authenticity, and human connection became some of her greatest strengths as an attorney. 

The conversation also explores the importance of community and mentorship within HNBA, the challenges young lawyers face when entering the profession, and the resilience required to push beyond self-imposed b...

In this episode…

John Gomez and David Arreguín sit down with Alejandro Echeverria, an engineer turned intellectual property attorney and patent litigator, during a special Lawtino Podcast series from the Hispanic National Bar Association conference in Washington, D.C.

Alejandro shares the unconventional path that took him from studying engineering in Tijuana and San Diego to working in aerospace, earning a master’s degree, attending law school, becoming a patent agent, and ultimately building a career in intellectual property litigation.

The conversation explores what makes patent law such a specialized field...

Recorded in Washington, D.C. during the Hispanic National Bar Association’s annual meeting, John Gomez and David Arreguin sit down with Tyler Quillin, Senior Corporate Counsel supporting Xbox at Microsoft, for a conversation about career pivots, resilience, representation, technology, and the importance of community. 

Tyler shares his unconventional path from special education teacher to attorney, including transferring law schools, failing the bar exam, rebuilding his career, discovering intellectual property law, and eventually joining Microsoft. Today, his work with Xbox spans the hardware and accessories ecosystem, supporting executives and engineers throughout product development, manufacturing, compliance, log...

David Arreguín and co-host Nadia Flores sit down with Valeria Rivera Corona, co-founder of the Binational Race, to explore how an ambitious idea became a one-of-a-kind running experience connecting San Diego and Tijuana.

Valeria shares the story behind the race, from navigating permits and coordinating agencies on both sides of the border to creating an event that now attracts thousands of runners. The conversation also explores Valeria’s entrepreneurial journey, the growing running community, and how the race has become much more than an athletic event—it is a celebration of the people, culture, and s...

THE LAWTINO Podcast welcome Jorge Goytortúa, CEO of Cross Border Xpress (CBX), for an in-depth conversation about one of the most innovative transportation projects in the world. Jorge shares his career in aviation, the vision behind CBX, and how the binational bridge has transformed travel between Southern California and Mexico. 

The discussion explores the project's history, technological innovations, airport expansion, customer experience, and the economic impact of CBX on the CaliBaja region. Jorge also highlights the importance of leadership, entrepreneurship, public-private collaboration, and giving back to the community through meaningful social initiatives. 

Chef Ruffo Ibarra, founder of Oryx Capital and one of the leading voices in the Cali-Baja culinary movement, shares his journey from growing up between Tijuana and San Diego to becoming a Michelin-recognized chef and entrepreneur. He discusses hospitality as an act of empathy, the importance of culture and family, the evolution of Baja's food scene, nonprofit work supporting migrants, and why creating memorable experiences goes far beyond what's served on the plate. 

Chef Omar Armas shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Baja California to training in Italy and working in some of the world's most prestigious culinary destinations, including China, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. He discusses the discipline required to excel in fine dining, the importance of supporting local agriculture, and his vision for transforming Chula Vista into a culinary destination. Along the way, he reflects on resilience, creativity, leadership, and the joy that great food can bring to people's lives.

Attorney Adrian Martinez shares his remarkable journey from Mexico City to becoming a dual-licensed attorney in Mexico and California, as well as a partner at Procopio. He discusses overcoming obstacles, passing the California Bar Exam as a foreign-trained lawyer, building a successful cross-border legal practice, and helping international clients navigate complex legal matters. Along the way, Adrian reflects on the importance of bilingualism, mentorship, professional relationships, discipline, effort, and respect—offering valuable lessons for lawyers, entrepreneurs, and professionals at every stage of their careers.

In this episode of The Lawtino Podcast, the hosts sit down with family law attorney and community leader Tamra Lett to discuss leadership, diversity, and service within the legal profession. Tamra shares how her involvement with Lawyers Club, the San Diego County Bar Association, and local community organizations has shaped her career and her mission to create meaningful connections across diverse communities. The conversation explores access to justice, implicit bias, mentorship, and the importance of building authentic relationships both inside and outside the courtroom. The episode also dives into personal fulfillment, civic engagement, and the mindset needed to create...

In this episode of LAWTINO, we explore what it truly means to build a legal career across borders. Based in San Diego and Tijuana, our guests—a husband-and-wife attorney duo—share their professional journeys navigating two legal systems, two cultures, and one interconnected community.

The conversation covers high-stakes cross-border litigation, including multimillion-dollar disputes, as well as the complexities of family and business law between the United States and Mexico. The guests emphasize that effective legal representation goes beyond language, requiring a deep understanding of cultural context.

They also discuss how they built their respective law firm...

A deep dive into the San Diego–Tijuana region through the lens of binational leadership, exploring how two cities across an international border operate as one dynamic, interconnected community. This conversation unpacks the unique relationship between the U.S. and Mexico at a local level—where culture, commerce, and collaboration intersect to create one of the most active cross-border regions in the world. From business and tourism to public policy, trade, and economic development, it highlights the systems and partnerships that keep this binational engine moving forward.

Beyond the big-picture vision, the discussion also takes a grounded look...

In this episode of The Lawtino Podcast, Sean Gómez and David Arreguín sit down with Joe Garcia—pastor and Escondido City Council member—for an in-depth conversation about his personal journey and his role as a community leader. Joe shares how his background in faith has shaped his approach to public service, and how he navigates the intersection of spirituality, politics, and civic responsibility.

The discussion explores some of the most pressing issues facing Escondido today, including immigration, economic development, and the evolving role of arts and culture in building a vibrant and inclusive community. They a...

Pako Pablos is the Founder of Pako Pablos Studios. He is an artist and a multidisciplinary creator and entrepreneur whose studio develops high-end artwork, apparel, and immersive augmented reality experiences that bring art to life. Pako blends sports, pop culture, and Mexican heritage to create globally recognized collections while collaborating with elite athletes and brands. His work serves as a gateway to building cross-border initiatives, connecting communities, and expanding opportunities through art and culture.

In this episode…

Creativity rarely follows a straight path. It often weaves through unexpected detours, shaped by discipline, identity, and the wi...

Jose Rojas is the Founding Partner and Trial Attorney at Ventura Law and Levin, Rojas, Camassar & Reck, LLC. He is a Connecticut-based lawyer focused on personal injury, medical malpractice, and mass tort litigation. His firms represent individuals harmed by negligence, defective products, and corporate misconduct, which include complex nationwide cases. Jose helped develop influential litigation involving infant formula risks, contributing to one of the country's most significant mass tort efforts. He previously served as a US Army JAG officer and as a federal prosecutor before dedicating his career to advocating for injured clients.

In this episode…

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Esther Valdés Clayton is the Founder and Principal Attorney of Valdés & Associates, a San Diego-based firm that represents individuals and families in visas, green cards, asylum, deportation defense, and complex immigration appeals cases. She concentrates on empowering underserved communities and helping clients navigate the US immigration system with dignity and integrity. A Mexican-American attorney and nationally recognized voice on immigration issues, Esther is frequently featured on television and media outlets, offering legal analysis and commentary on immigration policy and reform.

In this episode…

Success is often described as a combination of opportunity and effo...

Jorge García is the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at the California Western School of Law, where he oversees admissions strategy and financial aid initiatives that support student recruitment and access to legal education. With 23 years of law school admissions experience, he has also spent 33 years administering financial aid to undergraduate and law school students. Before joining the California Western School of Law, Jorge served as the Director and Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Diversity Initiatives at the University of San Diego School of Law.

In this episode…

The path to bec...

Kathia Bustillos is the Board Chair and Executive Director of the Foundation for the Children of the Californias, a nonprofit that supports pediatric healthcare and equity for children across the San Diego-Tijuana region. As a leader in media, public relations, and philanthropy, she became the first woman to head a regional Televisa station and lead community-focused organizations. Kathia focuses on expanding access to pediatric care and building sustainable, culturally responsive health systems for underserved children and families.

In this episode…

Leadership across borders demands cultural fluency, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. In a re...

Attorney Narciso Cruz is the Owner of The Cruz Law Office, APC, an immigration-focused legal practice. Admitted to the California Bar in 2011, Narciso has appeared before federal and immigration courts and built his firm on compassionate, personalized representation for clients facing legal challenges. Before founding The Cruz Law Office, Narciso served at one of San Diego's largest immigration law firms.

In this episode…

Managing a law practice demands resilience, vision, and the ability to lead through constant change. As systems shift and pressures mount, many lawyers wonder how to keep growing without burning out or lo...

Lara Deitz is the Senior Trial Attorney at Gomez Trial Attorneys, a San Diego-based personal injury and civil litigation law firm. She focuses on personal injury, civil rights, and related plaintiff-side litigation. Before joining Gomez Trial Attorneys, Lara practiced family law litigation. She has also been recognized as a Rising Stars attorney for 2025–2026.

In this episode…

Behind courtroom wins and professional titles are moments of doubt, pivots, and values-driven decisions that shape how attorneys show up for their clients. What does it take to build a meaningful legal career while staying grounded in community, purpose, and pe...

Román Cota Muñoz is the Mayor of Tecate in the state of Baja California, having taken office as part of the 25th City Council on October 1, 2024, for the 2024–2027 term. After being sworn in, Román outlined an agenda focused on community development, public safety, and strategic programs under the banner "Tecate al 100." His administration emphasizes service, transparency, and citizen engagement as core principles for advancing quality of life in the municipality.

In this episode…

Border towns are often misunderstood, seen as places you pass through rather than destinations you experience. Yet, one of the mos...

Hector Tamayo is the President of San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association, a professional bar association dedicated to advancing equality, empowerment, and justice for Latino attorneys and the Latino community in San Diego County. As a seasoned criminal defense and civil rights attorney, he represents clients in both state and federal courts and advocates for individuals who have experienced civil rights abuses by law enforcement. Hector previously served in the United States Marine Corps. 

In this episode…

The legal profession is often seen as a path to justice, yet it's also a field where systemic ine...

Joaquin Luken is the Executive Director at SmartBorder Coalition, a binational organization that brings together leaders from the San Diego and Tijuana regions to improve cross-border mobility. In his role, he enhances border operations and builds relationships that support economic growth and community connectivity across the US-Mexico border. As a business development and management professional, Joaquin has over 20 years of experience addressing US-Mexico border issues and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

In this episode…

The US-Mexico border is not merely a barrier, but an engine for economic growth, security, and shared opportunity. Every day, hundreds of thousands of...

Adam Peña is an Immigration Attorney at La Maestra Community Health Centers, where he represents undocumented immigrants and detainees. At 25 years old, he was the youngest mayoral campaign manager for the 19th largest city in America. In April 2025, Adam made national headlines after the Department of Homeland Security mistakenly sent him a self-deportation notice.

In this episode…

Immigration enforcement has taken an aggressive turn, leaving many Latino communities across the US feeling targeted and vulnerable. Amid increasing reports of raids and wrongful detentions, even US-born citizens are finding themselves caught in bureaucratic crossfire. What pro...

Judge Philip Gutierrez is a retired United States District Judge who served in the Central District of California from 2007 to 2024. Appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, he served as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court from 1997 to 2007. With over 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer and state and federal court judge, Judge Gutierrez was a founding member of the United States District Court's Patent Pilot Program.

In this episode…

Aspiring lawyers from underrepresented communities often struggle to see themselves reflected in the legal system, leading to self-doubt and a la...

Andrea Piontkovski is the Founder and President of Piontkovski Immigration Law, where she represents clients in immigration cases nationally and internationally. She is licensed to practice law in the US and Venezuela. Andrea is a member of the California Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association of the USA, and the San Diego Bar Association. 

In this episode…

Immigrants seeking to rebuild their lives in a new country often face overwhelming legal, cultural, and professional obstacles. Even those who were successful professionals in their home countries must start over, navigate foreign systems, and prove themselves aga...