
In honor of her incredible 20-year milestone at Dordick Law, Alejandra “Alex” Muñoz, the supervising paralegal, reflected on her journey and what keeps her motivated in the legal field.
From Receptionist to Supervising Paralegal
Alex's path to the legal field began when she was just in the seventh grade. A picture from a school ceremony, where she was awarded "Student of the Year," captured her future aspirations: "Future Lawyer" was engraved in her mind. She took some classes in criminal justice at a trade school. She shares that while waiting for one class to start, her teacher walked to the board and wrote "Receptionist needed at a Law Firm in Beverly Hills" She inquired, interviewed, and got the job. This opportunity turned into a life-changing event for her.
“I applied and interviewed with Nava, and 20 years later, here I am,” Alex shares. Starting as a receptionist, Alex worked her way up, gaining invaluable experience across the firm. Her passion for the legal field, paired with her dedication, was noticed early on by founder Gary A. Dordick.
Memorable Cases and Lessons Learned
Over the years, Alex has worked on numerous cases that have shaped her both personally and professionally. One that stands out is the case of two young sisters, one lost her life, and the surviving one was left a quadriplegic after a driver, distracted by changing his CD, struck them. Alex recalled the emotional weight of working on this case, especially given that the family faced multiple legal obstacles. The case was particularly difficult, but the team's persistence led to a successful resolution.
What stayed with Alex throughout the case was the empathy she developed for the young girl, who was coping with life-altering circumstances. Alex's connection with her was deep, even offering to paint her nails during a tough time, which demonstrated the importance of human connection and support in our clients as human beings and not just cases. This experience reaffirmed Alex's belief that she was in the right field, dedicating herself to making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
The Value of Empathy in the Legal Profession
When asked about the core values that have guided her career, Alex emphasized empathy and consistency. “You have to have empathy,” she said, “our clients are going through it, even if it's just a rear-end accident or a slip and fall, your life can change in an instant.” She believes that truly understanding a client's situation and feeling their pain, not just sympathizing, is what sets great paralegals apart.
This belief in empathy is something Alex instills in those she mentors. Whether it's making sure the details are correct on a legal document or offering support in a challenging moment, Alex's focus is always on the people behind the cases and how to best serve them.
Gary A. Dordick's Leadership and Its Impact
As Alex reflects on her two decades at Dordick Law, she attributes much of her success to the leadership of Gary A. Dordick and Nava T. Dordick. Describing Gary as one of the kindest and most selfless individuals she knows, Alex shared how Gary's leadership style inspires the whole team to work together with compassion and a relentless drive for justice.“His leadership and resilience inspire all of us to be the best versions of ourselves” Alex noted, a sentiment shared by many at the firm. Nava is someone whom she had always seen as her mentor and someone who made her see the value in herself despite all the adversity she faced. “She gave me a chance, she believed in me and for that, I will always be committed to being the best version of myself,” Alex states.
Advice for the Next Generation of Legal Professionals
Alex's advice is simple yet powerful for those aspiring to enter the legal field: embrace every role you take on, no matter how small it may seem. She recalled how, as a receptionist, she took on tasks ranging from changing the trash bags in the restroom to setting up water and coffee for meetings. She would also translate for Gary whenever it was necessary. This was all part of her growth as a professional paralegal, the ability to see the value in everything she did is what helped her become Dordick Law's Supervising Paralegal.
The Future
After 20 years of growth and learning, Alex is excited about the future of Dordick Law. With the firm growing from just a handful of employees to over 60 employees, Alex looks forward to continued growth, both personally and professionally. She's passionate about continuing to make a difference in the lives of clients, as well as helping the firm evolve and achieve even greater successes. After learning about her journey, we realize how her dedication, compassion, and drive are what make her an exceptional paralegal and a vital part of the Dordick Law team.
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