Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year, and it is a time to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic leaders. At Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, we honor those shaping the legal community as we cultivate a culture of opportunity for diverse voices. This year, we highlight Doris Bobadilla, the first Hispanic American female admitted to the Mississippi Bar, alongside Jose Barro and Hannelore “Hanny” Saab whose perspectives and dedication embody the vision of the next generation. Their stories reflect a shared commitment to representation, resilience, and leadership that extends beyond individual achievement.
Breaking Barriers and Building a Legacy
For Doris Bobadilla, heritage is a significant influence on her legal career. Growing up bilingual, she learned to see challenges through multiple perspectives, shaping her ability to navigate complexities and nuances by seeing interactions as levels and various means to describe, solve, and understand. Her parents instilled in her resilience and dedication, values she describes as central to her professional journey.
She offers guidance for young professionals: “Your unique perspective is more than your heritage — it is a compilation of your life experiences.”
Bobadilla also emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in leadership: “Understand your ‘brand,’ use that brand to show what sets you apart … If you don’t believe you are worth their attention or promotion, it’s likely others will not appreciate your strengths either.”
Her advice to the next generation? “Build a career that energizes you. Success is not owned, it is rented, and rent is due every day. Be seen. Be brave. Embrace change and let it inspire your growth.” From her decades of experience and expertise, it is clear that Bobadilla has taken this advice to heart in her own career, building and leveraging opportunities without striving for recognition, and leading with humility.
Team Approach to Leadership Inspires
A member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and Hispanic Lawyers Association of Louisiana, Jose Barro is on Doris’ team in Mandeville, Louisiana. For him, heritage means connection and mutual support. Growing up in close-knit community taught Barro the value of fostering relationships that strengthens individuals and teams. Now, in his legal career, he seeks those moments of collaboration, recognizing that by supporting each other, we maximize the value and output of ourselves as individuals.
Barro admires Bobadilla’s leadership: “She tirelessly works to build others up, encouraging and supporting them to reach their full potential. She’s never satisfied with her own successes (of which there are many) – rather she thrives on helping others succeed.” Taking a cue from his mentor, Jose has been inspired to strive for a growth mindset in those around him and a passionate commitment to building others up.
Cultural Heritage as Strength
Hannelore “Hanny” Saab’s heritage blends Ecuadorian and Lebanese roots, and for her, culture has been both a personal foundation and professional asset. Speaking Spanish at home built a skill set that has enhanced her advocacy and expanded her opportunities. Heritage can open doors and create lasting relationships: “Being Hispanic has provided me networks that I could not have imagined and has helped me form real connections with other attorneys and clients.”
Seeing leaders like Doris has been pivotal in Saab shaping her own aspirations. She commented, “The act of watching Latina women create opportunities for future generations inspires me deeply … Every step we take forward in life builds opportunities for the next generation to succeed.”
Saab has begun crafting her vision of leadership centered on visibility and opportunity: “I want to show others in the legal field that Latinos exist in these spaces, and we should be visible because our voices need to be heard … I aim to create a better path for future generations by making their journey to leadership more accessible.” Early leadership can be transformative: “Younger attorneys who actively participate in leadership activities create visible pathways for underrepresented groups to join leaderships roles.”
Celebrating Diverse Perspectives
Bobadilla, Barro, and Saab’s perspectives reflect a shared truth: leadership intentionally makes space for others. Diverse voices are heard and valued at Galloway, and the firm values of resilience and the power of mentorship shine forth and are built upon. The future of the legal profession can reflect diversity, innovation, and opportunity. This Hispanic Heritage Month, Galloway attorneys remind us that cultivating a culture of opportunity for diverse voices is both a core principle and the work that shapes the profession for generations to come.
