Profile in Inclusion

Viridiana Najera

For many people, the decisions made and laws passed in the distant halls of power can be mere abstractions, with their impact being faintly felt, if at all. That was far from the case for Viridiana “Viri” Najera, however. One action, taken in Washington, D.C. in 2012, changed the trajectory of her life, opening doors of opportunity that the hard-working and passionate paralegal would proudly walk through, ultimately leading her to Chuhak & Tecson.

“I was a senior in high school when President Obama signed DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals),” she recalls. “Like all high school seniors, I was trying to figure out my path forward after graduation. As a child brought to the U.S. by my mother in search of better opportunities, there was a lot of uncertainty and far fewer options for someone in my shoes. That all changed with DACA.”

DACA is a U.S. immigration policy that provides temporary protection from deportation and work permits for certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children without legal permission. It also allows “Dreamers,” as the beneficiaries of the program are called, to pursue post-high school education and training opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. While DACA does not grant eligibility for federal financial aid, it did allow Najera to enroll in educational programs and work toward her career goals.

“Being a Dreamer not only allowed me to work legally for the first time right out of high school, but it also opened the door to my very first job at a dog walking company, an experience that gave me confidence and independence. It ultimately helped me access the resources I needed to pursue higher education and professional goals,” Najera says. “It was transformative.”

With the path cleared to build a future in the only home she ever knew, Najera continued growing her dog walking business, but a soccer injury made dog walking no longer feasible. Needing a more stationary way of earning a living led her to an office job. Najera’s career journey began at a call center, where she worked as a customer service representative for a bankruptcy law firm. She later transitioned into a paralegal within the same firm. Her path then led her to serve as a secretary and paralegal at an elder law firm. Given her dedication, reliability and positive spirit, she quickly advanced in each role and gained invaluable experience. She also earned her certification as an Illinois Accredited Paralegal (ILAP) through the Illinois Paralegal Association.

After becoming a second-time mom, Najera and her husband made the decision for her to step away from the paid workforce for a short time to focus on their home and family, a role she proudly refers to as “domestic engineer.” However, just a few months later, she realized how much she missed working and contributing in a professional setting. Motivated to rejoin the workforce, she reached out to an attorney she had previously worked with, who was then practicing at Chuhak & Tecson.

“I contacted [Chuhak principal] Mallory Moreno, who had nothing but wonderful things to say about the firm, especially when it came to providing flexibility and support for working moms,” she says. “After only a few weeks here, it was so clear how different the culture was from my previous experiences. Everyone was so open and welcoming; it was just this great balance of professional and personal.”

Three years later, Najera has established herself as an indispensable asset for attorneys and clients in the firm’s Estate Planning & Asset Protection and Estate & Trust Administration & Litigation practices. Najera handles the myriad tasks involved in the initiation, administration and closure of probate estates and guardianship matters for adults with disabilities and minors. Najera also guides clients through the implementation of long-term care plans, public benefits applications and appeals.

Najera’s time at Chuhak & Tecson has only reinforced the impression she had when she started, she says.

“I honestly enjoy going into the office. The people I work with all treat each other with such respect and friendship and the firm remains committed to promoting work-life balance,” she says. “I get calls from recruiters and I never answer, because I wouldn’t want to give up what I found here.”

One of the things Najera found at Chuhak & Tecson was a genuine, everyday commitment to diversity and inclusion. A member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, she sees that commitment reflected not only in formal initiatives like firm-wide educational sessions, cultural celebrations and partnerships with organizations supporting underrepresented communities but also in the culture of openness and belonging.

“What stood out to me was how comfortable I felt sharing my own background,” she says. “It wasn’t just welcomed, it was valued. I wanted to put a face to a story that people might hear about but not always connect with personally. That level of trust and respect is what makes Chuhak & Tecson feel like more than just a workplace.”

Najera says that as important as these initiatives are, it is the day-to-day, one-on-one interactions where the inclusiveness of the firm really shines through.

“There is a genuine interest in learning about the unique backgrounds and experiences of other people at the firm and a palpable appreciation of how these differences enrich all of us,” she notes. “The culture here made me feel safe and respected. Being able to speak openly and be met with understanding, reminded me that I truly belong here.”