In case you don’t know, this month, we celebrate women. The heroines, mentors, professionals, and mothers. We celebrate the work that has been put in to overcome various obstacles and the women who have lead these movements.
On that note, we decided to showcase one of our exceptional female attorneys, Elizabeth M. Fernandez, Esq. Elizabeth heads the Estates & Trusts department at EPGD Business Law and we can’t be prouder of the woman and professional she’s become. Before we get to the meat and potatoes, we’d like you to know a little bit about Elizabeths’ background.
Elizabeth received her B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University, and is a Lifetime Member of the FIU Alumni Association. Elizabeth earned her Juris Doctor with honors from St. Thomas University School of Law. While at St. Thomas, she was the President of the St. Thomas University Chapter of the Cuban American Bar Association and briefly served as Executive Vice President of the St. Thomas University Trial Team. Elizabeth received the CALI Book Award for Administrative law and earned Dean’s List distinctions several times. Before joining EPGD Law, Mrs. Fernandez interned at the City of Miami City Attorney’s Office, where she assisted in civil litigation matters, and the CABA Pro Bono Project. Fluent in English and Spanish, Elizabeth continues to strive for greatness. Admitted to practice law in the State of Florida, she is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Florida, and before the U.S. Tax Court.
Now, if you’ve ever met her, it would come as no surprise that she is our SHINING STAR! Let’s get to it!
1. What, or who, are you a “closet” fan of?
TLC shows like Dance Moms, 90 Day Fiance, and My Strange Addiction. Sometimes you just need to lose yourself in trashy TV to make you feel human again.
2. What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?
Besides my entire existence? On Friday nights I bust out my Super Nintendo and play my old video games with my husband. It’s nice to have someone more skilled than me get through those pesky levels I couldn’t as a child.
3. What is the most annoying question that people ask you?
“Are you a lawyer?” No, I just play one on TV 
4. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.
I’m exceptionally good at trivia questions, especially musical trivia: I can identify a song from just listening to a few seconds of the intro, and tell you the artist or group. Movie trivia is a close second. I also consider myself to be very good at pointing out and noticing small details. I guess you can say I’m very observant.
5.What’s a favorite family memory that has stuck with you into your adult life? Why?
My parents were working class growing up, so even through difficult times, they still found a way to give my sister and me the best childhood possible. One Christmas, my parents got us both each a Playskool camping tent, flashlights and sleeping bags because we were obsessed with camping. We ended up pitching our tents in the backyard and spent an entire 3 hours outside before we were over it. That is my fondest memory.
6. What would you do with your “15 minutes” of fame?
Bring awareness to important social topics such as mental health awareness, immigration reform, net neutrality and income inequality affecting the U.S. I’d need to figure out what to do with my hands though.
7. Have you ever won anything? What was it?
You know how in public schools they have students write or draw things and then submit it to the Miami-Dade Fair & Expo? In middle school, I wrote a poem about Cuba and I won first place. I got a $5 check and a stationary set. My parents were so proud! I also won a geography bee in elementary school, received Superior ratings in middle school choir competitions, and won a mock trial competition in high school (which is probably what gave me the drive to pursue a law career). I think I might have won a combined total of $4 in lottery scratch offs and tickets too. #nerd
8. Who would you choose to be your mentor, if you had the choice?
The Notorious RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “I always thought that there was nothing an antifeminist would want more than to have women only in women’s organizations, in their own little corner empathizing with each other and not touching a man’s world. If you’re going to change things, you have to be with the people who hold the levers.”
9. What’s your most significant current challenge?
Growing the trusts and estates department within the firm so more people can understand the importance of a proper estate plan. Trying to keep track of where my Chapsticks are is a close second.
Definitely the more exciting set of answers we’ve received to our questionnaire in a while. Thank you Elizabeth, for putting a smile on our faces and letting us get to know you a little more in depth.
If you’d like to get in touch with Elizabeth she may be reached at elizabeth@epgdlaw.com or simply call our office (786) 837-6787 to schedule a one-to-one or a consultation for any Estate Planning concerns you may have.
