Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mariza Lockhart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mariza , so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
I avoid and overcome burnout doing my favorite thing- traveling. My passion for traveling and exploring the world keeps me going when I begin to question my career choices and working for myself grants me the freedom to take trips whenever I can. While I generally prefer traveling abroad, exploring closer destinations can still satisfy my adventurous aspirations.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As an attorney I have come to focus my practice on real estate disputes ranging from landlord-tenant issues, to HOA matters, buy-sell disputes, and contractor issues. In 2021 I also became a real estate broker to better help my clients navigate real estate hurdles. With extensive experience in mediation, my goal in every case is to see how best I can resolve the case. While I am a firm believer that trial is never in any ones best interest I also understand that not every dispute can be resolved and sometimes the only thing to do is to make your best argument and learn from the experience.
Even after 8 years of being an attorney I still learn things every day. It may have taken me a few years but I finally understand the true meaning of the phrase “practicing law” and am grateful for the knowledge and experiences I have had so far in my career.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Having Empathy and Compassion – for many being an attorney is all about making the best arguments and winning big settlement checks. For me, its all about the practical applications on the people I represent and justice. Without empathy, being an attorney can become almost robotic and void of human emotions. I remind myself often that while we have a legal system that system is not always just.
Listening- Many of my clients tell me that they feel comfortable with me and while I don’t know exactly why this is, I like to think its because I listen to them and more importantly make them feel heard.
Not Giving Up- Being an attorney is hard and sometimes I question why I decided to go into this field but I have always been one to challenge myself and I have found that the most rewarding feeling is seeing someone get out of a tough situation and knowing that I had something to do with it.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Living in San Diego I find most days are pleasant and offer the perfect opportunity to take a walk. I don’t walk particularly far and sometimes its completely aimless but I find that when I am overwhelmed one of the best ways to remind myself of the outside world is to just go walk in it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lockhartlegalfirm.com
- Facebook: Lockhart Legal – https://www.facebook.com/lockhartlegalfirm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariza-lockhart-esq
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.