We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Cabrera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

At Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A., my partner, Travis Hoopingarner, and I specialize in three main areas: Personal Injury, Homeowners Insurance, and Corporate Law, particularly representing small businesses. We started our law firm with a strong commitment to represent victims of catastrophic injuries and those wronged by insurance companies. We also help clients navigate home insurance claims, ensuring they receive fair treatment and just compensation.

A defining feature of our firm is our pledge: “No Client Left Behind.” This stems from Travis’s experience as a former hospital corpsman in the Navy, where he worked with injured soldiers. Now, he applies that invaluable insight to our practice, enabling us to fight passionately for individuals who’ve been wronged or injured.

Furthermore, in our corporate law practice, we offer legal support to small businesses, helping them thrive and navigate the complex legal landscape. We’re proud to serve as the Official Attorneys for the Doral Chamber of Commerce, where we work closely with community businesses, providing them our unique and personable services.

Our practice is founded on five core values, represented by the acronym CADRE: Courage, Authenticity, Dependability, Respect, and Expandability. These values guide us in every case we handle and define our commitment to our clients.

Courage: We possess the courage to fight relentlessly for our clients, even against the most formidable opponents. We’re not afraid to go the extra mile to ensure justice is served.

Authenticity: Authenticity is the cornerstone of our relationships with clients. We believe in being open, honest, and genuine, making sure our clients are informed and comfortable every step of the way.

Dependability: Our clients can count on us. We’re steadfast in our commitment to their cases and are always ready to provide support when they need it most.

Respect: We treat each client with the dignity and respect they deserve. We understand the profound impact legal issues can have on people’s lives, and we’re committed to handling each case with sensitivity and care.

Expandability: We’re constantly striving to grow and improve. We embrace challenges, learn from our experiences, and continuously seek opportunities to expand our skills and services to better serve our clients.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I was younger, I saw up close how the justice system could really shake up people’s lives. It wasn’t just something I heard about, but something I felt at an early age. By the time I hit high school, I’d made up my mind – I wanted to be a lawyer fighting for the “little guy” and start my own firm, and I wanted to do it by 25. Crazy, right?

Nobody in my family had ever been a lawyer, and I didn’t really know any lawyers personally, so there wasn’t a clear path for me. But I just couldn’t let go of that dream.

So, off I went to St. Thomas University College of Law, and soon thereafter, Florida International University College of Law. And let me tell you, it was no cakewalk. My classmates were smart, the competition was fierce, and honestly? I had more than a few “what am I even doing here?” moments. But giving up? That just wasn’t me.

So, I dug in. I practically lived in the library, studying like there was no tomorrow. That’s when I met Travis Hoopingarner. At first, we were like rivals, competing to see who could study longer hours. But soon, we realized we made a great team, and that’s how Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A. was born.

Embarking on the journey to bring our shared vision to life, Travis and I started with internships at various law firms, starting at a modest $100 weekly. As I held that first paycheck, it wasn’t the amount of money that stood out; it was the realization that I was being compensated for advocating for the underdog. That $100 symbolized a dream turning into reality. We committed to setting aside 75% of our earnings into a joint bank account, which would soon become a war chest built in anticipation of our firm’s grand opening.

Fast forward a bit, and here we are. Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A. kicked off in October 2022, and in less than a year, we’ve won over a million dollars for our clients. And we couldn’t have done it without the guidance of some amazing mentors, like Il Young Choi, Robert Gonzalez, Juan Perez, Robert Dominguez, and others countless others.

You know that saying, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”? Our journey was full of rough seas, but it made us who we are today. It’s not about what life throws at you, but how you handle it that really counts.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that encapsulates our resilience dates back to our law school days, when the pandemic hit. Like many others around the globe, we were thrown into the new reality of virtual learning. Our lives as law students were dramatically upended. Networking events, a lifeline for aspiring lawyers, were abruptly halted, casting a cloud of uncertainty over our professional futures. The challenge seemed insurmountable. How could we gain traction in our field when the world had moved to a virtual plane?

Adding to this was an unexpected hurdle thrown my way just two weeks before the bar exam – I contracted COVID-19. It was a difficult time physically and mentally, but it didn’t shake our resolve. My partner, Travis Hoopingarner, and good friend, Alain Diaz, would not let me fall behind. They rallied around me, pushing me to stay on track with bar preparation despite the health challenges. They ensured I was present on Zoom every morning, no matter how difficult it was. Their support helped me power through one of the most challenging times of my life.

This period was undoubtedly testing, but it reinforced our ability to adapt and stay resilient in the face of adversity. It wasn’t just about studying law anymore; it was about learning to navigate the uncertainties of life. It taught us that with grit, perseverance, and the right support, we can overcome anything. This resilience continues to fuel our practice as we strive to deliver the best for our clients, come what may.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for us has been through networking and authenticity. We believe in embracing our story, sharing it without sugarcoating any part of our journey. It’s astounding how many people resonate with our experiences, the trials we’ve overcome, and the grit we’ve shown to arrive where we are today.

Being genuine and real is the best way to establish connections and grow. We have found that people appreciate authenticity, and it enables us to build meaningful, lasting relationships that extend beyond just business.

Our client base primarily comes through word of mouth, which we consider the most genuine form of validation for our work. It’s a testament to the service we provide and the relationships we’ve built over the years. Our approach to client acquisition is a product of the three years Travis and I spent on the ground, attending networking events, fostering relationships, and letting our work speak for itself.

We are proud to say that our clients come to us not just for our legal expertise, but also because they identify with our journey and share in our values.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cabrerahoopingarner.com
• Instagram: @thatcubanlawyer @noclientleftbehind
• Facebook: @noclientleftbehind