By Juliana Yanez, AAML

What Chapter are you from?

Northern California

When did Fellowship in the Academy first become a personal or professional goal for you?

Fellowship in the Academy first became a goal for me in 2021, when I was a few years into my family law practice and had developed a deeper appreciation for the distinction and responsibility that come with being an AAML Fellow. As I grew in my practice, I noticed that many of my mentors, as well as the attorneys I most admired in the family law community, were AAML Fellows.

Who served as your mentor and/or or did you participate in a mentorship group and how did this encourage you to apply to the Academy? 

Michele Bissada and Rita Patterson served as the mentors for my mentorship group. Through that group, I gained a greater appreciation for the complex family law matters they handled and the high standards they set for themselves as attorneys. I also developed a deeper understanding of the AAML, including the relationships formed among Fellows, the quality and insightfulness of AAML programming and the Academy’s commitment to mentoring attorneys and supporting the next generation of excellent family law practitioners.

What guidance from your mentor or mentorship group was most helpful as you sought fellowship?

One of the most helpful pieces of guidance was learning what the AAML looks for in prospective Fellows, including excellence in practice, professionalism, leadership and service to the family law community. It helped me understand that Fellowship is not only about years of experience but also about contributing meaningfully to the profession.

Was there a particular moment when your mentor or mentorship group helped you recognize you were ready to pursue Fellowship?

Yes. I was encouraged to apply for Fellowship shortly after I became a Certified Family Law Specialist in California. The specialist application process included some components that were similar to the AAML application, so pursuing Fellowship felt like a natural next step. I had been thinking about AAML Fellowship for some time, and by then I had also taken opportunities to become involved in the local bar association and present CLEs.

How has that mentorship influenced the way you now support prospective Fellows?

The advice I received about the benefits of Fellowship and how to position myself for success was incredibly helpful. As a Fellow, I now encourage prospective Fellows to attend our chapter dinners and AAML events, participate in mentorship groups and think intentionally about how they want to be involved in the family law community.

Tell us a surprising fact about yourself.

I once swam next to a southern right whale mother and calf in Argentina, and they seemed just as curious about the four humans they encountered in the ocean as we were about them.

Tell us the AAML Chapter you’d most like to visit, and why? 

Mountain States, because it would give me the opportunity to mix business with hiking!