Adriana’s early motivation for pursuing law was fueled by her desire to honor the sacrifices and raw determination of her grandparents, who left behind the life they knew in Columbia to immigrate to the United States with their young children in the hopes of providing their family with more ample opportunities. Although her parents went on to become highly educated professionals, they had hopes that Adriana would go on to achieve even more than they were able to attain; this planted a seed in the mind of a young Adriana that she would one day become either a doctor or a lawyer. Over the course of her life, she began to discover that she had a talent for crafting compelling arguments, and developed a passion for providing services that are typically scarce in Spanish-speaking communities. Recognizing a need for more Spanish-speaking attorneys in Oregon, she set her mind on pursuing law, and received her education from Lewis and Clark Law School.
As a law student, Adriana focused on both immigration and personal injury work. She spent time working on deportation defense and asylum claims at an immigration firm, which is where she discovered how many pathways to citizenship for Unaccompanied Minors exist through the family law system. This revelation propelled her towards finding a job in Family Law. Through her years of experience working in immigration, personal injury, and family law, Adriana has learned how important it is to approach client interactions from a place of empathy and humanity. Her favorite part of her job are the phone calls to deliver great news, whether it be that their divorce has gone through, or that they’ll be getting their kids back. Hearing the deep sense of relief from her client’s is what makes her job feel most fulfilling.
Adriana does not lack in any number of activities that she enjoys outside of the office, and which enrichen her life. When asked about her current hobbies or interests, she mentions baking, knitting, hiking the Gorge, getting lost in Powell’s, rooting for the Timbers and the Thorns, and continuing her search for the very best pint of cider, cup of coffee, or slice of pizza in Portland. An avid traveler, Adriana leaps at any opportunity to explore new corners of the world, including her parent’s home country, Columbia. She has a special place in her heart for the United Kingdom, and states that “there is just something about standing on Millennium Bridge at night that makes me feel like I am the most myself I could possibly be…. maybe I was British in a past life!”
If you would like to speak with Adriana about your family law matter, she is excited to help both English and Spanish speaking clients identify the best path forward for their case, and to guide them through the process every step of the way.