Chapter 1: A Passion for Empowerment

My mission revolves around supporting women and girls in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals. Currently, I am particularly focused on the issue of Period Poverty. Many individuals are unaware that school-aged girls worldwide often lack access to essential feminine hygiene products. This unfortunate reality hinders their ability to attend school during menstruation. Living in an underserved region of the United States, I've spoken with numerous school nurses who highlight the reliance of young girls on their schools for pads and tampons. Over winter break, my office organized a fundraising initiative to gather feminine hygiene products for middle and high school girls, ensuring they had the supplies they needed during their time away from school.

In our ongoing series spotlighting women who are making significant changes in their industries, we had the honor of interviewing Leah Wise.

Leah Wise stands out as a pioneering attorney and entrepreneur, committed to uplifting Latinas and championing women's rights. She founded Leah Wise Law Firm, PLLC, marking it as the first Latina-owned law firm in South Texas that focuses on personal injury cases. With an impressive history of securing millions in settlements for her clients, Leah has earned recognition as one of the nation's top lawyers. Additionally, she operates Leah Wise Enterprises, LLC, a real estate investment firm, and CrashGal Couture, LLC, a clothing line. Leah also plays an active role in her community through initiatives like co-founding "Latina Feature Friday," which promotes Latina-owned businesses, and running mentorship programs for aspiring Latina lawyers and entrepreneurs. Her commitment to education led her to create the Leah Wise Latina Student Hardship Fund, pledging $50,000 to assist Latina law students facing financial hurdles at St. Mary's University School of Law. Leah's advocacy for women's empowerment transcends her professional activities, as she tirelessly fights for gender equality across the nation.

Video Title: LAWYER INTERVIEW #17 | LEAH WISE | TEXAS BASED PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

In this interview, Leah Wise shares her journey as an attorney, the challenges she faced, and her dedication to empowering women.

Chapter 2: Leah's Backstory and Career Path

Leah recounts her upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley and her early aspirations to become an entrepreneur. Initially uncertain about how to reach this goal, her experience working for a state senator inspired her to advocate for her community, ultimately leading her to pursue a legal career. After passing the bar exam, she launched her firm in 2016, representing thousands of clients and securing millions in injury claims. Notably, in 2020, her firm achieved the largest settlement in Texas, amounting to $7.9 million.

Fashion has always been a passion of Leah's, prompting her to establish CrashGal Couture (CGC) in 2022. This venture has provided her with a creative outlet, allowing her to share her love for fashion while ensuring that affordable options are available to women in her community. Furthermore, Leah is a real estate investor with several tenants in South Texas, eager to expand her real estate portfolio and explore additional business opportunities.

Chapter 3: Disrupting the Legal Industry

Leah explains how she has disrupted the legal field through innovative marketing strategies. In 2016, when few lawyers were utilizing social media for advertising, she saw an opportunity. With limited resources for traditional advertising, she became one of the first attorneys in South Texas to leverage social media, connecting with potential clients in a more personal and engaging manner.

Personal injury law has traditionally been male-dominated, and Leah takes pride in being the only Latina-owned law firm in South Texas at that time, fully dedicated to representing plaintiffs. She is thrilled to witness an increasing number of women in the field focusing on personal injury, breaking the stereotype of it being a male-only domain. Leah's firm is also committed to giving back to the community, with her team leading various philanthropic initiatives.

Chapter 4: Lessons Learned

Leah reflects on some early missteps in her career, sharing a humorous anecdote about a naïve mistake when she wired money to a potential client stranded in Mexico after a serious accident. This experience taught her the importance of thoroughly vetting clients and their claims.

Mentorship has played a vital role in her development, as Leah sought guidance from experienced legal professionals. She emphasizes the significance of mentorship, particularly for young Latinas aspiring to become lawyers or entrepreneurs, as she hopes to serve as an inspiration for them.

Chapter 5: The Impact of Disruption

Leah shares her perspective on disruption within industries, noting that it can be both beneficial and detrimental. She cites Netflix as an example of a positive disruptor, revolutionizing content consumption while also acknowledging the potential downsides, such as decreased face-to-face interactions. Similarly, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow connections but can also contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Leah concludes by offering three impactful pieces of advice she received: the importance of recognizing diverse paths to success, the dangers of comparison, and the value of letting go of the need to control outcomes.

Chapter 6: Future Endeavors

Leah expresses excitement about her new nonprofit, the Wise Women Foundation, aimed at supporting women of color. Although still in its infancy, she is eager to see its development. She believes that it is crucial for entrepreneurs to give back to their communities, a principle she intends to promote through her foundation.

Chapter 7: Challenges for Women Disruptors

Leah highlights the distinct challenges that women disruptors face, such as societal judgment based on age and appearance, and the perception that women may be overly emotional. These biases often require women to work harder to achieve the same level of recognition as their male counterparts.

Chapter 8: Influential Literature

A book that has profoundly influenced Leah is the Tao Te Ching, which emphasizes acceptance and the concept of nonaction. She has learned to embrace flexibility and let go of the need to force outcomes, allowing the universe to guide her. Leah also enjoys podcasts for spiritual guidance, as they reinforce the validity of her dreams.

Chapter 9: Inspiring a Movement

Leah's enduring passion lies in helping women and girls surmount barriers to success. She continues to advocate for awareness around Period Poverty, addressing the struggles many girls face in accessing essential hygiene products for school.

Chapter 10: Life Lessons

Leah shares her favorite life lesson quote by Winston Churchill: "When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place." This resonates deeply with her journey of pushing boundaries and changing the landscape of her industry, reminding her not to dwell on others' opinions.

For those interested in following Leah's journey, she can be found on Instagram @crashgal and TikTok @crashgal!

Thank you for joining us in this inspiring conversation!