Atlanta senior associate Mario Bolaños focuses his practice on guiding venture capital funds and startup companies through a wide variety of venture capital or growth equity financings and general corporate governance matters. He has been recognized by LatinVex, Latin America, and is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association and Georgia Hispanic Bar Association.

Learn about what drives him to excel and how his background has shaped him as a lawyer.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your family's background and your connection to your heritage? How has it influenced your journey as an attorney? 

My parents left El Salvador in the height of a civil war, driven by the vision of starting and raising a family in a country that was not suspended in a state of turmoil and instability. They sacrificed a lot at a young age by leaving the place they grew up and the support system they cultivated around them, placing the interests of others above their own. Their sacrifices motivated me at a young age to capitalize on the opportunities they created for me, and they continue to drive me to improve and grow as a lawyer.

2. What advice would you give to other young attorneys looking to excel in their careers while staying true to their cultural identity? 

Don’t compromise your cultural identity and the traits that make you unique for the sake of getting ahead in your legal career. With time, you’ll realize that embracing your cultural identity will resonate with those around you, help you stand out, and elevate your career.

3. In your opinion, how does diversity contribute to the legal profession? 

When it comes to resolving issues, good lawyers help their clients evaluate and compare multiple options and solutions at their disposal to arrive at a well-informed decision. Having diverse lawyers with different backgrounds, values, and experiences improves the thoroughness and depth of a legal team’s critical thinking, issue spotting, and evaluation processes, which in turn results in higher quality legal advice.