Meet Roberto Gonzalez: Managing Partner at PereGonza The Attorneys

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roberto Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roberto, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
First of all, I truly believe that the greatest part of life is having children. Right now, I have a beautiful eight-year-old and an amazing baby on the way. To me, being a parent is by far the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Having children has changed my perspective on life, success and discipline. Moreover, it shifted my passion to wanting to become a better human being because I was now responsible for the life of a tiny beautiful human. I think the greatest impact I have had on my children and hope to have on them is the impact that my parents had on me. I intend to instill in them that same feeling that you can accomplish anything you want or dream in life as long as you work hard and believe you can do it. In my humble opinion, that is the secret to success, belief in one’s self. I actually owe all my success to my parents and to my children. My children are the reason I practice the lessons that my parents taught me. So that I may impact them to carry on a legacy of compassion, love, and accomplishing anything you set your mind to. That same legacy and those same values that my parents instilled in me. Success is a way of thinking. Accomplishments and happiness are a state of mind. The notion that this way of thinking and that mind state is not only achievable, but necessary. That is the greatest impact I think every human needs to receive in order to be successful and achieve happiness.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own PereGonza the Attorneys, better known as PereGonza Los Abogados here in Miami, Florida. I started this firm with my best friend and business partner, Juan Perez. We actually met in law school and hit it off after noticing we shared similar values and that essential entrepreneurial spirit. I knew that I wanted to start my own firm since I decided to submit those law school applications. The idea was always that I did not want to work for anyone else, but me, as soon as possible. In my eyes, that was the only way that I would be able to not only control my own fate but control the level of service that my future Clients would receive. While attending St. Thomas University’s School of Law, I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to work at two great firms where I was given, and graciously accepted, a great deal of responsibility very quickly. I was eager to learn and jumped at any opportunity to do as much legal work as possible. I was mentally preparing myself to practice on my own. Meanwhile, my business partner was doing the same thing at the firm he was employed at. We were both blessed with the experience we received from these firms. After graduation, each of us found employment as attorneys. I stayed with that firm for about four months until I was able to acquire a huge client who intended to sue a major hospital. My boss at the time decided the case wasn’t right for his firm so Juan and I took them on as our own, and PereGonza came to fruition overnight. After winning that case, we were able to pay ourselves a whopping $250.00 a week. At the time, my wife was supporting me and paying our bills. We lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, where even my daughter’s bed was in our bedroom. I owe everything to my wife and if it’s alright with you I’d like to give her a quick shout out right now. I love you Jessyca. Building our business was hard, but Juan and I were, and still are, very blessed. We poured nearly every dollar we made back into the firm and invested in marketing, networking and branding. In just one year we outgrew our office, hired employees and the rest is history. Currently, we concentrate on helping the Hispanic community of Miami-Dade County and represent many people in the areas of Corporate Law, Insurance Litigation, Personal Injury, Employment Law and Discrimination cases. We represent the Doral Chamber of Commerce, the amazing non-profit organization Jar Of Hearts, and many businesses throughout South Florida. I think the secret to my success has been working hard, building relationships and always helping people when I can. In life, the more you help others the more you get back, and that’s why we always strive to provide the best customer service possible. Check out our google reviews.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First off, I would definitely recommend local businesses. Miami has such a rich culture and amazing small businesses that offer the best of the city. Well, I’m a foodie so I would definitely recommend you check out Sloan’s Ice Cream at City Place Doral for dessert. It’s a great spot for families to take the kids. Night Owl Cookies on SW 8th street and Mojo Doughnuts on SW 40th Street are also a must have. In the Cutler Bay area, I would have recommended a great breakfast spot, Walters Coffee Shop. Pancakes and waffles – enough said. Above all though I totally recommend Cuban food in general, all of it! If you are from out of town the first thing you need to do is get yourself a “Croqueta Preparada” and take it from there. Make sure you do not miss out on Isla Canarias’ croquetas though (they are a game changer). You also have to check out Miami Beach while you’re here. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else. An afternoon walk around the Wynwood Walls is also an experience you don’t want to miss out on. You can stretch the visit out through the evening and check out plenty of local restaurants and bars with a great vibe as it gets later into the night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to say that aside from my children and God, my parents deserve the credit. My parents came to this Country with $100.00, a 3-year-old, and a willingness and desire to work hard. They instilled in me a mentality where if you work hard and give everything you do your best, this Country will grant you the opportunity to be anything you want to be. They taught me that this opportunity should never be taken for granted and that it was up to me to work towards being the best version of myself that I could possibly be. Throughout my life, my parents always believed in me, cheered me on and made me feel like I was capable of achieving anything. At this point in my life, I feel it would be a shame if I did not do everything in my capacity to achieve what I consider to be my version of success after all the sacrifices my parents made for me. They came to America and worked to give me a better life so that I would be able to give my children a better life. I hope my children feel the same way about me that I feel about my parents, because that would be the most beautiful thing they could give me.

Website: peregonza.com
Instagram: @robgonzalez.esq and @peregonzalaw
Twitter: @robgonzalez.esq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012157215371
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKeoCsBRyKE4WL1d2wKevGA

Image Credits
Family Picture: Cassandra Trcka IG: @cassietricks PereGonza Pictures: Rolando Rodriguez