Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frances Arroyo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Frances thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was founding Los Angeles Legal Advocates in 2020, right in the middle of the global pandemic. At the time, I was pregnant with my second child and balancing motherhood, caring for my three-year-old. I started the business from my home with just a printer and ink. Starting a business is challenging under normal circumstances, but doing it while expecting a child and managing a household during a global crisis added a whole new level of complexity.
Despite the challenges, I was driven by my passion for defending immigrant rights. I knew that this was what I was meant to do, even though the timing and circumstances seemed far from ideal. It was a huge leap of faith, but I believed in my vision and my mission, even when the odds were stacked against me.
Looking back, I’m so glad I took that risk. In just three years, I grew Los Angeles Legal Advocates from a one-woman operation into a multimillion-dollar firm with over 100 employees. The experience tested my resilience and forced me to adapt quickly, but it also shaped me into a stronger leader and business owner. That risk allowed me to build something that reflects not only my commitment to my work but also my dedication to my family and my clients.
Frances, 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?
My journey into immigration law started while I was working in Washington, DC restaurants while attending American University. Many of my co-workers in the kitchens were immigrants, and they became my friends. As I got to know them, I quickly learned about the realities they faced—living in constant fear of deportation, struggling to regulate their legal status, and being separated from their families. These personal stories moved me deeply and motivated me to take action. I realized how critical it was for them to have someone fighting for their rights, and that’s what led me into immigration law.
At Los Angeles Legal Advocates, we provide the legal support that so many immigrants desperately need. We help with everything from family reunifications and asylum cases to deportation defense. I’m proud to say that our firm has become a beacon of hope for many, offering dignity, transparency, and expert representation. It’s not just about legal cases for us; it’s about standing by our clients and ensuring they are treated with the humanity and respect they deserve.
What sets us apart is that we lead with passion and purpose. This isn’t just a business—it’s a movement to ensure that immigrant communities are seen, heard, and protected. I want every potential client, follower, or supporter to know that we are here to fight for them, just as I fought for my friends in those restaurant kitchens years ago.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that really highlights my resilience happened during the early days of Los Angeles Legal Advocates. It was 2020, the world was in chaos because of the pandemic, and I was pregnant with my second child while also taking care of my three-year-old. Starting a business under normal circumstances is already a huge challenge, but doing so while navigating pregnancy and motherhood, all from the confines of my home, was a test I hadn’t fully anticipated.
I had no office, no big budget, and no staff. I started with just a printer and ink, running the firm out of my living room. At times, I found myself juggling client calls while changing diapers, balancing legal strategy sessions with bedtime routines, and somehow keeping everything together. There were days when I questioned whether I could really manage both—building a business and being a present mom. But what kept me going was my unwavering commitment to my mission. I knew the work I was doing mattered, especially for immigrant communities facing incredible challenges during the pandemic.
One particular moment that stands out was when I had to take an emergency immigration case while I was in my third trimester. The case involved a family facing imminent deportation. I remember working late into the night, preparing documents, strategizing, and making sure I was ready to defend them the next day. It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but I knew that if I didn’t show up for that family, they could be separated permanently.
That case became a turning point. I won it, and the family stayed together, which only reinforced why I started the firm in the first place. Looking back, that experience taught me that resilience isn’t about never feeling tired or overwhelmed—it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard, because the work you do has purpose. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day as I continue to grow the firm, raise my children, and fight for immigrant rights.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success comes from doing everything yourself. When I first started Los Angeles Legal Advocates, I had a mindset that I needed to be involved in every single detail. After all, I had built the firm from the ground up with just a printer and ink, and I was used to handling everything—legal work, administration, client relations, and more. I took pride in being able to manage it all, and in some ways, I thought it was necessary to keep that level of control to ensure the firm would grow the way I envisioned.
However, as the firm started to expand and more clients came in, I realized that this approach wasn’t sustainable. The turning point came when we began hiring new employees. In my effort to meet the growing demand, I focused on finding people with the right skills, assuming that technical ability was the key to success. But I quickly learned that hiring based solely on skills, rather than alignment with the mission and values of the firm, was a mistake.
One of the early hires turned out to be a poor fit, not because they weren’t talented, but because they didn’t fully believe in the purpose of our work—defending immigrant rights with passion and integrity. This caused friction in the workplace and diluted the culture I had worked so hard to create. It became clear that the problem wasn’t just their performance; it was the fact that they didn’t share the same sense of mission.
That experience taught me that I couldn’t do everything myself, and more importantly, that I had to trust others to carry forward the vision of the firm. I had to unlearn the idea that success is about individual effort. Instead, I learned that real success comes from building a team of people who believe in the same mission and are as passionate about it as I am. Now, when I hire, I don’t just look at skills—I look for people who share the same dedication to serving our clients and fighting for immigrant rights. This shift in thinking allowed the firm to truly thrive and stay true to its values as we grew.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lalegaladvocates.com/
- Instagram: @abogadafrancesarroyo
- Facebook: @abogadafrancesarroyo
- Youtube: @abogadafrancesarroyo5206
Image Credits
Samatha Turchin
@samturchinphoto