Andrés Acebo of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin in Teaneck, as the child of Cuban immigrants, took up advocacy at a young age and has carried that into his professional career as a labor and employment lawyer. At the firm, he authored the first policy on diversity and inclusion and recently made partner. Outside the firm, he works closely with clients on their diversity initiatives and advises them on diversity-related issues. He also is active in community and bar groups, including as deputy regional president of the Hispanic National Bar Association.

What are your proudest professional achievements over the last couple of years?

Joining the DeCotiis firm and being named a partner is among my proudest professional achievements. I was humbled to be named among the Hispanic National Bar Association's top attorneys under 40, and more recently, I received the "Outstanding Legal Contribution Award" at the Bergen County Executive and Board of Chosen Freeholders' Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony. To be counted among colleagues I respect and admire is an honor, and it inspires me to prove myself worthy of being in their company.

What has been your experience with diversity in the profession, and how does it factor in to your day-to-day work as an attorney?

My background has posed unique challenges, which are often common to first-generation professionals. I have strived to overcome them by actually harnessing the innate advantage my background affords me. Fewer than 4% of U.S. attorneys are Hispanic (even fewer are partners at law firms), despite comprising more than 18% of the population. I am fortunate to work for a firm that truly embraces diversity. Last year, I was named Labor Counsel to the Town of West New York, a predominantly immigrant community neighboring my hometown of Union City. Representing communities that raised and shaped me, and helping clients confront the same challenges I have faced, enables my background to be an asset. Whether it's confronting issues of equal pay, or workplace harassment and discrimination, my background informs the way I practice law.

What can organizations employing lawyers do to better address diversity?

It begins with acknowledging the issue and making everyone a stakeholder. Appreciable inroads have been made, but continued progress is vital. Too often, the focus is simply giving those from diverse backgrounds a seat at the table. But this doesn't advance a culture of inclusion unless the organization also sponsors and propels forward diverse backgrounds. Elevating diverse voices ensures that inclusivity and equity are at the forefront. By embracing diversity, we can attract untapped talent—not only to sustain, but also to enhance the profession.

Name a mentor, or someone you admire, and why.

My parents are my greatest inspiration. My father was 20 years old when he fled political oppression in Cuba. In my office, I display the nautical compass he used to chart his course to freedom. To me, it symbolizes my family's "arrival." My father took a great risk, and early on my parents emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance. With their unrelenting support, I attended an Ivy League university and pursued a career in law to harness the necessary tools to make my life one of purpose. Now, a father myself, I'm committed to raising children who can further that legacy.

What is your best advice for someone looking to make an impact in the legal profession?

Focus on what you want to do, not what you want to be. Invest your time in causes that drive progress. You have a moral obligation to use your influence to lift others. Don't wait until you have "arrived" … lift as you climb. My mother taught me that those who look down on others are seldom looked up to. Lawyers have a noble calling; we are entrusted to be advocates and represent others. I have learned that we don't achieve greatness alone; we travel farther in good company, and great things happen when we lift one another. If we in the legal profession hold true to this, our impact will be lasting and meaningful.