Partner, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Education: Guilford College, UNC School of Law
Your most vivid memory of your BLI experience: I have two vivid memories – the first is, of course, the retreat. Getting away and spending time together in the glamorous woods of Hickory was a great bonding experience. The second is the session our class attended on diversity. We had a diverse class in many aspects – practice areas, age, professional experience, race, gender, etc. It was a privilege to hear from others in the group about their experiences and I continue to incorporate the insights I gained from them into my personal and professional life.
What you value most about your BLI experience: The friendships.
Advice you'd give the next BLI class: Embrace the experience! Beyond the time commitment, the program requires introspection and, at times, vulnerability. It's worth it.
Past MCB/MBF volunteer service: Communications Committee, Pro Bono & Legal Recruitment Committee Vice Chair, and Pro Bono & Legal Recruitment Committee Vice Chair.
Current personal or leadership goals: My personal leadership goal is to continue to be a strong and PATIENT parent with my kindergartener in the midst of remote schooling and working from home.
Greatest leadership accomplishment and why: I’ve served in a leadership position within our firm for the last 5+ years. In that time, our firm has nearly doubled in size. I am very proud that we continue to be successful while maintaining our culture of work-life balance and genuine care for our employees and clients.
Topic you'd like to learn more about and why: In my practice, I work with individuals from all over the globe. While I’m fluent in Spanish, I’d love to learn another language – either German or Mandarin.
Favorite place to go in Charlotte: Charlotte’s greenways and green spaces – they are such a gift and we’ve especially enjoyed them during the pandemic.
What you do when you're not lawyering: I do a lot of reading for fun – I love a good mystery but will read almost any fiction. I also love to run, hike, and spend as much time as possible outdoors.