This week on the Law School Insider we are bringing back Victor Flores, Assistant City Attorney for the City of McAllen Texas. Victor is our first return guest. In his first show he shared his experiences in going to law school after leaving the military. This week we are talking about his experiences working for a municipality and exploring the importance of helping others.
In Victor Flores' position he stated that his position involves engaging the community and having a basic understanding of civics and the practice of law.
He is there to give advice to the city and to the city staff and governing body about different issues in areas such as:
- Commercial real estate development
- Land use law
- Election law
- Local government specific laws
- In house litigation defense
- Facilitate resolutions between the community and the city
In making the transition into this position Victor Flores said that you cannot just take a law and put it into practice. Instead, you have to consider the practical aspects of legal considerations. You also have to work hard to come up with a resolution that protects the city and the residents.
Victir Flores has recently won a few awards for his legal service and leadership. He won the Pedro Serrano Leadership Award and the President's Award of Merit. He also had the opportunity to take part in the Texas State Bar's Leadership Academy where 20 people from the State are selected.
Victor Flores' father always said that "Productive leaders solve problems, but servant leaders change communities." This is something that he has lived by throughout his life and he continues to ascribe to this and even today says that if you are goig to be a leader you have to be a servant first.
When it comes to serving others, Victor Flores has found that service should not be based on looking for accolades, but instead on a desire to help others.
In the profession of law there will be times when you can get lost in the day-to-day pressures of the job and in helping clients. However, as Victor Flores has noted, you are given a huge opportunity with a law degree and as Victor shared, "To whom much is given, much is required."
By giving to your own community, local bar associations, volunteering for community service, you will learn and grow. It may not equate to higher income or accolades at first, but there is satisfaction that comes with helping others and all of the other things just seem to fall into place.
If you are wondering about how you can learn to give back to others, Victor Flores mentioned that it first starts by looking at issues impacting your community, much like you would look at a case. It also comes with a realization that each one of us comes from different backgrounds that allow us to identify issues in our communities that need to be addressed.
In law school you can start to make changes to the community from the minute you get there. As Victor Flores reflected, you should get involved in student organizations and find community service activities within these organnizations to become a part.
Also in law school you should focus on legal writing and surround yourself with great mentors as you will look to them as you move throughout your career.
Did you like this interview? Do you have a question for Victor Flores? Leave a comment below to let me know!
Are you a practicing lawyer? A law student? Would you like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the Law School Insider? Send me an email at lawschoolinsider@cooley.edu
