Cuban-born and Florida-raised, Paola Parra Harris saw her journey to law school as a path to giving back to her community. Today, with over 30 years in practice, her career has been dedicated to advocating for people who need strong and compassionate legal guidance.
AALM: Tell us about your entry into a legal career?
PPH: Entering the legal field as a first-generation professional, there was no family road map to follow, and the culture is entirely new. I did not have the upbringing of being around other lawyers or judges or the contacts that many others had. Additionally, being Cuban-born and bilingual meant navigating an environment that wasn’t always equipped to serve a diverse, bilingual population. This challenge fueled my determination to ensure my practice would be fully bilingual to serve the Jacksonville community better.
AALM: How did you come to focus your practice on family law?
PPH: Early in my career, I realized the most profound impact I could have was in family law. The stakes are deeply personal, and a successful resolution can genuinely change the trajectory of someone’s life and their children’s lives. I am drawn to my firm’s “Family Matters” mission and providing “Compassionate New Beginnings”—helping families navigate complex divorces and family law issues in a way that respects their need for both legal rigor and genuine human understanding.
AALM: Tell us about the decision to launch your firm?
PPH: I launched Parra Harris Law PLLC in 2016 to create a fully bilingual, boutique firm entirely dedicated to family law. After years of practice, I wanted to build a firm that was a true reflection of my own values and vision: one that centered on compassionate, client-focused representation. It was also important to me to have an identity rooted solely in my own achievements and commitment to my clients.
This year, we are celebrating “10 Years of Compassionate New Beginnings.” Over the last decade, I’ve been able to build a fully bilingual and award-winning firm. We are proud of our many accolades but, most importantly, for the gratitude from the many clients and their families that continue to support us.
AALM: Tell us about any mentors you may have and how you seek to be a mentor to younger or aspiring lawyers.
PPH: I have been fortunate to have fantastic mentors along the way from Denise Watson, Dennis Guidi, and many others who shared their wisdom and experience.
I seek to be a mentor who champions confidence and independence in younger lawyers, especially those who are first-generation. I emphasize that their achievements are their own and that having a clear personal mission is the true foundation of a successful and fulfilling legal career. I encourage them to have complete and total faith in their own path.
AALM: Tell us about your involvement in the legal community.
PPH: My background has naturally led me to advocate for the Hispanic community in northeast Florida. My involvement is focused on bringing a much-needed bilingual perspective to family law and ensuring our legal system is accessible and supportive to all. I have also found organizations such as Catholic Charities, Sulzbacher, Rotary Club and others that are important to me.
AALM: Looking ahead, what are your goals for your practice.
PPH: My goal is to continue to solidify Parra Harris Law’s reputation as the premier, award-winning, fully bilingual, boutique divorce and family law litigation firm in northeast Florida. Our focus will remain on exceptional client service, compassionate advocacy, and maintaining our mission for every family we serve.
I am immensely proud of the firm’s growth and the impact we have been able to make on the community since 2016. Thank you for featuring the first-generation journey, as it is a story that needs to be shared to inspire the next generation of attorneys.
