In my years of practicing law, I’ve been part of countless complex business transactions—mergers, acquisitions, cross-border deals, real estate closings, and corporate restructurings. Each one had its own unique set of financial goals, regulatory requirements, and business considerations. But time and again, one factor has proven just as critical as the legal fine print: cultural fluency.

Understanding the law is essential. But understanding people—their backgrounds, communication styles, cultural priorities, and expectations—is what makes a good lawyer a great one. Especially when transactions cross borders or involve parties from different ethnic, linguistic, or business cultures, the ability to navigate those nuances can mean the difference between a smooth closing and a broken deal.

I’ve built much of my career on this principle, and I believe cultural fluency isn’t just a “nice-to-have” in law—it’s a necessary part of the work.

The Human Element in Every Transaction

From the outside, business law might seem cold and technical. Contracts, clauses, negotiations—it can all sound like mechanical work. But at its core, business law is deeply human. Transactions are built on relationships, trust, and communication. When clients come to me, they’re not just asking for legal guidance—they’re entrusting me with something that often represents years of work, risk, and hope for the future.

That’s why I approach every deal with more than just a legal lens. I take the time to learn about the people involved—their goals, their fears, and how their personal and cultural backgrounds might influence how they do business. Whether it’s a Latin American client navigating U.S. real estate laws, or a European executive structuring a joint venture in Florida, I’ve learned that cultural awareness can open doors that technical skill alone can’t.

It’s about listening closely, reading between the lines, and showing respect for different ways of doing business.

My Own Perspective as an Immigrant and Multicultural Lawyer

I didn’t learn this lesson in a textbook—I learned it through lived experience. I was born in Cuba, spent my earliest years abroad, and eventually settled with my family in Miami. My upbringing was a patchwork of cultures, languages, and environments, from South Africa to Philadelphia to Florida. I’ve been bilingual my entire life, and I’ve walked in spaces where I was the only one who looked or spoke like me.

That perspective shaped how I work today. I know what it means to navigate systems that weren’t necessarily built with you in mind. I understand the need to feel heard and understood—especially in high-stakes situations like business deals or legal disputes. My background helps me build bridges with clients and colleagues from all walks of life, and it’s one of the most valuable tools I bring to the table.

Cross-Border Deals and the Power of Cultural Awareness

International transactions, in particular, highlight the need for cultural fluency. A contract clause that makes perfect sense in one jurisdiction might raise eyebrows in another. A negotiation style that’s assertive in one culture might seem abrasive in another. Timelines, hierarchy, even how people express agreement or disagreement—these things vary widely across borders.

I’ve worked on deals that involved parties from Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and I’ve seen firsthand how small cultural missteps can lead to big misunderstandings. But I’ve also seen how showing cultural respect and awareness can build trust quickly. When you show that you understand your client’s language—literally and figuratively—you’re not just practicing law. You’re building a partnership.

In one instance, I helped a Latin American family business navigate a major acquisition in the U.S. What made the deal successful wasn’t just our knowledge of American corporate law. It was our ability to communicate clearly in Spanish, to understand the client’s approach to hierarchy and family dynamics, and to align our legal advice with their long-term vision.

Building a Firm That Reflects the Community

At SMGQ Law, we’ve built a firm that mirrors the diversity of our community. We are proud to be a minority-owned law firm, and many of our attorneys are multilingual and culturally fluent. That’s not just good for optics—it’s good for outcomes. Our clients know they can bring their full selves into the room. They don’t have to explain who they are or where they’re coming from before we start solving problems.

Being culturally fluent isn’t about knowing every tradition or custom—it’s about being curious, open, and respectful. It’s about asking the right questions and being willing to listen. That’s the approach we bring to every client interaction, whether we’re handling a multimillion-dollar transaction or advising a small business on corporate governance.

The Lawyer as Cultural Translator

At this point in my career, I see myself not just as a legal advisor, but often as a translator—someone who helps clients move between worlds. I translate legal language into business strategy. I translate between different cultural expectations. And I do my best to make sure that everyone at the table feels understood, valued, and protected.

In a global economy, deals don’t just cross borders—they cross cultures. Lawyers who can navigate both the legal and the cultural terrain are not just better equipped to close deals—they’re better equipped to build trust, foster innovation, and create long-term success.

Cultural fluency isn’t an extra skill—it’s a cornerstone of modern legal practice. And in my experience, it’s often the key that unlocks the most meaningful results.