Cobb & Gonzalez is a law firm comprised of forward-thinking and technology-inspired legal professionals committed to working with their clients to help achieve their business objectives. Inspired by a sense of service and a dedication to the interests of their clients, the professionals at Cobb & Gonzalez are trial-ready advocates; trained to creatively and efficiently counsel clients through the entire legal process. The firm motto is, “Excellence is the foundation we stand on to reach higher.”
Jessica A. Cappock
AALM: What drew you to the practice of law? Did you have a career or ambitions outside of the law prior to becoming a lawyer?
JAC: For me, becoming an attorney was a childhood and lifelong aspiration. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs and business owners, I saw an abundance of civil suits against my family members throughout the years. As a result, I knew advocacy for business owners, particularly those primarily blue-collar fields, was the ultimate career path for me.
Before fulfilling my goal of becoming an attorney, I took a stab at the entrepreneur life, and started my own business. Owning my own business brought new life to my drive to become an attorney and advocate for business owners. I enrolled in law school and found my way to where I am today.
AALM: What experiences have taught you the most?
JAC: My experiences outside of law have been the most influential and impactful to my persona. Growing up as a junior athlete, and boarding at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, I learned a type of dedication, drive and utter determination that is useful in all areas of my life.
More than the physical requirements and demand of playing a sport at such a high level, the mental strength and control required to develop the fine-tuned skill and physical fitness is useful in all aspects of my day-to-day life.
I tackle my practice of law in the same way I would a sport … I’m here to give everything in me, and I’m here to win. I learned at a very young age to make things happen. Determination is everything.
AALM: What is a trait some of your firm’s senior partners have that you would like to see carried through to the next generation of lawyers? What’s a trait you think established lawyers should be open to adopting?
JAC: Poise. While there is an array of admirable character traits of the partners at Cobb & Gonzalez, poise is the trait I most aspire to achieve. In my time here, I find the partners’ ability to conduct themselves in such a professional, calm and effective manner to be extremely admirable. It takes experience, confidence and self-control to manage and respond in not only an effective way, but to do so with poise and integrity. As an upcoming lawyer, I believe versatility, and an entrepreneurial mind set is something that would be a useful tool for any attorney, associate, and partner alike. Law school is a great experience, essential to becoming an attorney, but practical experience, common sense, and demeanor is everything in business. Thinking outside the box, being unconventional, trying new things. I think these things have largely contributed to my success and would be a great asset to any partner as well. Sometimes, the best way, is a way that’s never been tried before.
Ruby Jo “Catie” Smith
AALM: When did you first know you wanted to become an attorney?
RJS: I can’t pinpoint exactly when I knew I wanted to be an attorney; I always just knew. It was likely seeing intelligent, powerful women going toe-to-toe with men on television courtrooms that first drew me to the career as I was growing up. I also had someone tell me when I was young that I couldn’t be an attorney. Telling me I can’t do something only makes me dig in and try harder.
AALM: Tell us about one of your mentors.
RJS: After graduating college, I spent a year as a legal assistant at the State Attorney’s Office to make sure law was the right path for me. The attorney I was assigned to, Stephen Grissett, allowed me to attend hearings with him and talked through cases with me. He helped further my passion for law and gave me an understanding of what being a practicing attorney is like. He cheered for me through the LSAT as well as applying to law school, and I am forever grateful for the legal experience and encouragement he gave me.
AALM: What first drew you to your firm?
RJS: The trait of partners at the firm that I most hope to imitate is the level of professionalism they exhibit with their staff, clients, and opposing counsel. Being a part of a firm that is known for the level of professionalism and civility exhibited by its attorneys is incredibly important to me. What first drew me to the firm is Chris’ and James’ reputations. Everyone I spoke with had nothing but wonderful things to say about them, both as attorneys and as individuals. When you find the opportunity to be part of a team of not only excellent attorneys but fun, personable people that you look forward to seeing every day, you don’t turn that down.
Summer Lee Reed
AALM: When did you first know you wanted to become an attorney?
SLR: I determined at a young age that I wanted to work in law in some capacity. Both of my parents were involved in the justice system. The ever-interesting dinner time conversations between the two led me to find a career where I could work in a parallel field to theirs. In fact, I have a school project from third grade where I first answered the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question with “attorney.” It’s neat to look back and realize I’ve made it to the place I always dreamt of.
AALM: What was the greatest lesson you learned in law school? How do you apply that to your career today?
SLR: I recall asking several attorneys for their advice before I left for law school. I was told time and time again that law school does not teach you the law but teaches you how to learn. Just days before the LSAT, I received the advice to stop trying to memorize, and instead try to wrap my head around how to learn. It took sitting for the logic games portion of the LSAT for it to all make sense. Fast forward to three years of law school and it clicked yet again. They were all right.
The greatest lesson, and even the greatest tool, I learned in law school was how to learn. Learning to differentiate understanding from memorizing and memorizing from analyzing was a turning-point in understanding the practice of law.
AALM: What first drew you to your firm?
SLR: When I found Cobb and Gonzalez, I was in a place where I was ready to take a leap of faith in launching the next step in my career. Thankfully I trusted my gut enough to take the interview, and the rest is history. Chris Cobb and James Gonzalez made such a conscious effort to ensure that I was a good fit for their team, while equally helping me determine if their firm was a good fit for my goals, both professionally and personally. Looking back, I truly believe that decision will prove to be a pivotal point in my career.
