We recently connected with Erica White and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being a service provider is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

One if not the most wonderful thing about being in private practice is that I have the opportunity to work with individuals on a deeper level. I have more time to devote to them and that has led to some really great outcomes. I had a client who was a young mother with addiction issues and through the six months of representing her I really got to connect with her on a deeper level and see her transform and break away from her addiction. She was facing up to 48 years in prison when I met her. It was an absolutely terrifying sentence hanging over head. The case was not right for trial and the evidence was overwhelming. My co-counsel and mentor, Ben Hartford, https://bhartfordlaw.com ,knew immediately that this would be a mitigation case. Meaning that we would really have to work to address the underlying issues that led to the client being charged in the first place in hopes that the prosecution and the Judge would give leniency in offers and sentencing to our client.

It was at this point that we contracted Lindsay Bendell, https://www.communityjusticeservices.com , to help us connect our client to drug addiction resources. Lindsay was able to enroll the client in an amazing program through a local hospital that helped our client detox from her drug addiction. In addiction we connected our client with a Domestic Violence Expert who provided us with an Expert report detailing the domestic violence our client suffered.

From there Mr. Hartford and I set out to negotiate with the Prosecutor on the case. We sat down with the prosecutors and I gave my most impassioned speech, feeling like I was winning because the Prosecutor sat there smiling and nodding but then we hit a brick wall. We received an e-mail from the prosecutor saying that although they said they appreciated our reports and the efforts our client had made they were unwilling to come down on the offer which left our client exposed to 16 years in prison instead of 48. They were going to seek a prison sentence. We entered the plea knowing that we had done everything we could and the offer would not improve. Then we set a sentencing date approximately two months out.

It was a deflating moment for everyone involved, most of all the client. Why make so much effort if she was still going to prison. Why bother shaking your drug addiction when you are going to be locked in a cell for almost two decades. I was most impressed that our client was able to keep moving forward and keep engaging in the services Ms. Bendell had set her up with.

At this point we met with Omar Montgomery from the NAACP Aurora branch. Omar sat down with our client and immediately saw the promise in this young woman that we saw. He was on our side and would join the fight. We also decided to make a video for sentencing. The video was directed and edited by my co-counsel’s daughter Viv Hartford, who did an amazing job. She put her heart and soul into it to create a meaningful and moving video of our client’s life for the Judge’s consideration.

Then came sentencing. It was set at 1:30 in the afternoon and the courtroom would be completely ours. I barely slept the night before. I was tense the entire morning leading up to the hour. I went through the points I wanted to make in my head and then I went through them again and again. I arrived at the courtroom and our client’s entire family was her. I knew all these people were counting on us. My client was physically trembling and tears streamed down her face. My eyes were welling up and I knew I had to stay calm and positive but I was terrified that this young woman was going to go to prison and I wouldn’t be able to stop it.

We sat down at counsel table and it begun. The prosecution gave a persuasive and biting argument. Our client sat there physically shaking and choking back tears. My co-counsel and I held her hand and told her to take deep breaths. I could feel my cheeks burning so many emotions filled my heart. I was nervous. Then it came it my moment. I walked to the podium with my legal pad and I began going through my points and rebuttal to the prosecution. It was almost like a blackout moment. You are so worked up and you are trying to hang on to your points and your well articulated thoughts but your emotions have completely taken over and you are praying that you got everything out you needed to. I knew once I sat down it would be over there was no stalling the Judge’s inevitable sentence.

But I did sit down. I put my hand on my client’s back and I listened to the Judge as he began what seemed like the most long winded rationale but in reality was probably only 10 -15 minutes worth of justification for his sentence of probation! She got probation. There was an audible murmur of relief from the crowd behind us. Our client broke down. I felt elated. I thought I was floating. She was not going to prison. She had a future. She had support and resources for a bright future! It was the highlight of my career thus far.

Erica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A dynamic attorney makes for a dynamic representation. As a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States, Ms. White brings her multicultural background to her practice of immigration and criminal law. Her sincere cultural understanding and attention to detail allows her to not only advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves, but to also form a sincere connection with her clients and to tell their stories with compassion.
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As a former criminal prosecutor in the Denver, Adams and Weld County District Attorney’s Offices, Ms. White is a skilled litigator who knows how to get favorable results in the courtroom for her clients.​
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Whether it is plea negotiations, dismissal or trial, Ms. White’s passionate advocacy, aggressive strategies and intimate knowledge of the law will ensure the best possible outcome for your criminal case.
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Ms. White also understands that a criminal case conviction may have a negative impact on your immigration status. With her expert knowledge, personal experiences and refined skills, Ms. White will both advise you of the consequences of a criminal conviction on your status while working to help you attain citizenship and move on with your life as a productive member of society. Ms. White has been a tireless advocate for immigrant rights and will fight for you. Whether you are lost or concerned about a lack of understanding of the US legal system or want to become a citizen, Ms. White will guide you through the entire process step by step.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

This is a customer service industry. If you are kind and polite and make a good impression on one client you are sure to get ten more.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Written in 1936 the lessons hold true to today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.palomalawoffices.com
• Instagram: @PALOMALAW_ESQ
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palomalaw/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc7bJbjZDYTNOLvf0ggR-AQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/paloma-law-denver