Growing up in El Centro, Nadia Bermudez looked up to her father "who worked very hard in his profession."
Salvador Bermudez was an ironworker. She is a lawyer and her dedication to her profession was recently recognized.
The Hispanic National Bar Association named Bermudez, 34, as one of its five "Top Lawyers under 40" award recipients.
The awards, presented earlier this month in New Orleans, honors Latino lawyers who are excelling in their field and demonstrate leadership and commitment to the Latino community.
"I try to do as much as I can," said Bermudez, a partner with the law firm GCR LLC, which has an office in San Diego and specializes in employment and business legal services.
Lizette Herrera, vice president of La Raza Lawyers and assistant director of public service and diversity at the University of San Diego, said
Bermudez is a role model particularly for young Latinas.
"You can probably count the number of female partners of color that are in the San Diego legal community in one hand. She's one of those few people," Herrera said.
"It's admirable that you can work hard to make partner and that you are involved in the community," Herrera said.
Bermudez is a longtime member and past president of the Lawyers Club of San Diego, a bar association that focuses on the advancement of women in the profession, and La Raza Lawyers of San Diego. She's also on the board of the La Raza group's scholarship fund.
She represented La Raza lawyers last year during a presentation to the Chula Vista City Council seeking a resolution, which the council passed, opposing Arizona's controversial SB 1070 law. A federal judge blocked the most disputed portions of the law from taking effect, including a requirement that police officers check the legal status of anyone suspected of being undocumented.
Bermudez also successfully defended the Sweetwater Union High School District last month against a lawsuit filed by a former administrator who was seeking additional severance pay.
She also serves on U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's bipartisan advisory committee that helps screen applicants for federal judgeships, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshall.
Bermudez, who lives with her husband in Chula Vista, came to San Diego ten years ago after graduating from Stanford Law School and has been involved with La Raza Lawyers of San Diego since 2002.
Bermudez credits her father, who helped build skyscrapers in San Diego, for teaching his five children to be "as productive as possible."
Bermudez's two sisters are also lawyers.
Her younger sister, Eran Bermudez, is the current president of La Raza Lawyers of San Diego and an attorney with Best Best & Krieger LLC.
Her older sister, Ruth Bermudez Montenegro, is an assistant superintendent at the El Centro Elementary School District. One of her brothers is an elementary school teacher. The other works for a gas company.
Bermudez said being productive to her also means helping her community, which is why she enjoys raising money for scholarships for young Latino law students.
"The scholarship represents financial assistance but it's more than that," she said.
"It's encouragement that they are doing the right thing."
Leonel.sanchez@sandiegored.com
