Welcome to another installment of our GPSolo eReport column featuring short introductions of new Division members. Up this month: Teresa Gutierrez.
February 26, 2023 Share Your Story
New Members: Tell Us a Little Bit about Yourself
By Teresa Gutierrez
What kind of law do you practice?
California wills, trusts, and probate.
Why did you go into this field?
My father passed away between my second and third years of law school. Because my father passed away intestate, it was very challenging to mourn his loss and at the same time struggle—alongside my family—to make decisions that we thought were in line with what he would have wanted. I realized then that I could use my law degree to educate my community and clients about the importance of proper estate planning, no matter how big or small an estate, to protect themselves and their families and to bring themselves and their families peace of mind.
What do you find most rewarding about your practice?
On the estate planning side, many clients share with me that they feel a weight lifted off themselves once they design their estate plans with me. On the court side, I feel fortunate to help guide my clients through a system and processes that often feel foreign and stressful to them. I make sure that my clients are empowered throughout their court proceedings by keeping them well-informed and discussing strategy that aligns with their goals and concerns, whether it is a probate matter, guardianship proceedings, or a conservatorship case. I feel grateful to do what I do. I also read, write, and speak Spanish, and the fact that I am bilingual allows me to have further reach in the communities that I am able to serve in California. It is a good feeling to have a positive impact on the lives of those whom I serve.
Why did you join GPSolo?
GPSolo appealed to me because I saw the Division as a space to grow my solo and small firm practitioner network for collaboration, leadership, and mentor-mentee opportunities. I have felt at home in the GPSolo Division.
What would you like your colleagues to know about you?
Outside of my legal practice, I love spending time with my family, especially my daughter. Dancing and traveling whenever I can also bring me happiness.
Share YOUR story
If you’ve joined this year, send an e-mail with your contact information and a headshot to [email protected], and we’ll contact you for a quick interview to help your fellow members know who you are!
Published in GPSolo eReport, Volume 12, Number 7, February 2023. © 2023 by the American Bar Association. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. This information or any portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association. The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the American Bar Association or the Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division.