Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Misty Gamino, co-founder of CG Law LLC, where she practices family law.
She was named the 2026 HLAI Latina Lawyer of the Year.
Misty earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Why did you want to be a lawyer?
I was initially drawn to the law because I wanted a career where I could help people in a meaningful way.
Once I learned more about being a lawyer, I loved the skills needed in solving complex problems and being creative in finding solutions.
I love learning and the law is always changing and even when it’s not changing, we are constantly learning new things and ways to interpret or apply the law.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?
Remaining civil can be incredibly difficult, especially for attorneys in my area of law. In family law, we represent real people about issues involving their families, and that comes with intense emotions.
I’ve learned that I cannot be effective if I cannot separate the emotions from the law. Sometimes I have to help my clients out of their emotions to make better decisions for their case and for their future.
I remember learning from a mentor early in my career that people cannot hear what you say if you are yelling. I keep that in mind when tensions are high, and I keep my composure.
It is also important to always be a decent person and even when things are tense and people are fighting, there is never a need to be disrespectful.
What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law?
Attorneys are at the forefront of the public’s perception of the rule of law, and as attorneys, we have a responsibility in how we practice.
Public confidence can only grow with integrity, fairness, and respect for everyone inside and outside of the legal system.
Attorneys are tasked with explaining the law and advocating for our clients. Sometimes the law is unfair, or it can be applied unfairly. So long as people understand that their advocates are on their side, they can have more confidence in the system.
What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?
The world is changing rapidly and it’s difficult to navigate sometimes. Maintaining trust in an increasingly polarized environment is tricky. People are also getting information online from various sources, some of which are not reputable.
Our task as attorneys is not only explaining the law but also fighting against a lot of misinformation on the internet these days. I personally believe that having a bit of skepticism is healthy and doing your own research is key, but the availability of misinformation has caused a lot of distrust.
How has being able to communicate with clients in Spanish influenced the way you build trust and advocate for clients in family law matters?
Being able to properly communicate issues with clients in their native language is really important. Imagine going through an incredibly painful time in your life and the person who is responsible for helping you through it can’t understand you or you can’t understand them.
When someone realizes that I speak Spanish, I sense they become more comfortable and open, which is really important in my area of practice. They also connect better with me because I can understand what they mean when they say it.
There may also be shared traditions or a way of life that helps me understand a client’s perspective on decisions they are making. I can better advocate for clients when I know exactly where they are coming from.
Clients need to feel comfortable sharing sensitive details about their life, their relationship, their children, their money, etc. Speaking their language puts them at greater ease and it’s really important for an attorney-client relationship for both sides to truly understand the other.
Is there a value from your Hispanic heritage that you carry with you in your work as an attorney?
One value that I carry with me is a strong sense of responsibility to others. This follows me in my practice with my clients as well as members of my firm.
It is important to show up for others, especially in their time of need. As an attorney, that means listening to the needs of my clients and making sure they feel heard.
I also carry the understanding that everyone is different and people have vastly different experiences. I am reminded to remain curious and always question assumptions.
What do you do for fun?
I have a great dog who takes up a lot of my free time. He’s a 6-year-old Bernedoodle who is full of life and energy. He keeps me sane after long days.
Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. Subscribe here to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.
ABA Research Finds Women Lawyers Report Higher Mental Health Risks Than Men
Commissioner Spotlight: Daniel Hernandez, Founder, CEO and Principal Attorney at NextLevel Law, P.C.
The post Professionalism Spotlight: Misty Gamino, CG Law LLC appeared first on 2Civility.