We recently connected with Travis Hoopingarner and have shared our conversation below.

Travis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission statement is merely a snapshot of who we are as a firm and more importantly, who we are as people. “Solving the world’s biggest problems can only be possible when they are placed on the shoulders of those who refuse to quit fighting. That is why we make it our mission to carry the burdens our clients bear and in turn, we bring back relief and resolution.”

This mission is deeply meaningful to me because of my military background. I served as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) in the United States Navy, caring for wounded warriors who returned from the battlefield.

As a Hospital Corpsman, I took a pledge, and part of that pledge states, “I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust . . . .” In my job as an attorney, I’ve adopted a similar mindset. It reminds me to give each and every client my absolute best and unwavering support.

Simply put, our mission isn’t just a bunch of words. It’s a promise we wholeheartedly make to each client, guaranteeing that we support them every step of the way. This is exactly why we emphasize, “No Client Left Behind.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I did not take the traditional route of a law student. After graduating in 2014 from Satellite High School with my high school diploma and associate degree, I took the biggest risk of my life at that point, I joined the military. Having a passion for helping the injured, I completed boot camp and traveled to San Antonio, Texas to become a Hospital Corpsman. I would go on to specialize in Orthopedics and solely dedicate my time to treating patients who have suffered severe musculoskeletal injuries. The Navy then sent me on various assignments to places like Japan and Washington D.C., and even special assignments working with the White House Medical Unit on the Medical Evaluation Treatment Team (METT).

After five (5) years of service, I knew that my passion for helping those in need extended beyond the medical field. After receiving an honorable discharge in 2019, I immediately started using my GI Bill benefits by enrolling in law school in Miami, Florida.

It was here in Miami that I met my best friend, brother, and business partner, Anthony J. Cabrera. We realized very quickly from our first year of law school that we both desired to own a law firm. We joined forces and ultimately created what is known as today Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A. Our firm mainly practices personal injury, first-party insurance claims, and veterans benefits law. Veterans benefits law especially hits home for me because I’ve witnessed firsthand how veterans are often left to navigate the system without proper guidance, unaware of the benefits available to them.

However, the hardships I faced as both a sailor and a veteran have only made me stronger. This firm was built on humble beginnings, and we are living proof that anything is possible. One of my favorite quotes comes from a famous veteran and fitness legend, Greg Plitt, “Every action has a purpose. When every action has a purpose every action has a result.” I take this mindset into anything I set out to do in life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Having the ability to pivot and adapt in life is probably one of the most important skills to have. As we all have experienced in the last few years, change is constant. I transitioned out of the military in October of 2019 and started my first year of law school, right before the pandemic hit. I was not only starting a new career, but I was building a brand new life in a brand new city while a global pandemic took place.

The discipline, structure, and camaraderie I once knew were completely gone, but what I realized was those things were engrained in me. Creating a routine, working hard, and staying consistent were all I needed to push through that difficult time. Just because your path changes, doesn’t mean you are completely starting from scratch. Even when switching industries, you can build upon the skills and experiences you gained in your previous career. It’s not about your circumstances, it’s about your mindset.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

As I mentioned earlier, Anthony and I come from humble beginnings. Funding our business was a common question we received in law school from both professors and classmates. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a large amount of initial capital to start a law firm, if you do it right. What we needed was one common goal, to keep overhead low.

As a law student, making ends meet for your daily expenses is a struggle in and of itself, let alone saving up to start a law firm. Nonetheless, throughout our second and third years of law school, Anthony and I worked various law clerk jobs both remotely on the weekends and throughout the week.

We decided to pool our resources and open a joint bank account, allocating a portion of our income for the initial capital. This gave us the financial foundation we needed to launch the business and acquire things like software, office supplies, and a monthly subscription to a virtual office.

We didn’t need a big fancy office, in fact, we started out of my apartment and looked for any way to save money. We both graduated from Florida International University, which also helped us with obtaining case management software and extended use of legal research tools. Utilizing your connections is also important, to save on unnecessary expenses.

At the end of the day, Anthony and I did not view capital as an obstacle. We educated ourselves on what was absolutely needed from the beginning and then we cut out the fat. Every industry will vary on what is needed, but the key is to educate yourself and surround yourself with individuals who can help you. With competence comes confidence. That is why we felt so confident opening our law firm with a limited budget.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.noclientsleftbehind.com
• Instagram: yourveteranattorney
• Facebook: Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A.
• Linkedin: Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A.
• Yelp: Cabrera Hoopingarner, P.A.