When Cristina Perez Hesano founded Perez Law Group in 2010, she set out to do more than build a law firm; she set out to build a movement. In a field where Latinas make up only about 3% of all attorneys in the U.S., and progress has barely moved in 15 years, Hesano stands out as a trailblazer for representation, leadership and advocacy for the “little guy.”
Her mission has always been to give everyday people a voice and ensure justice isn’t reserved for the powerful. Under her leadership, Perez Law Group has become one of Arizona’s most respected firms for personal injury and wrongful death cases, known for both its results and compassion.
For Hesano, success isn’t measured by verdicts or settlements, but by people. Her legacy is defined by the clients she empowers, the team she mentors and the community she uplifts, opening doors for the next generation of women in law.
A Firm Built on Justice and Humanity
From the start, Cristina Perez Hesano built her practice around cases that demand both strength and compassion, such as catastrophic injuries, wrongful deaths and life-changing tragedies. “We’re not dealing with files; we’re dealing with people whose lives have been changed forever,” she says.
That philosophy has earned Perez Law Group its reputation for fighting for justice with heart. Under Hesano’s leadership, the team focuses on rebuilding lives, not just winning cases, while giving back through schools, community programs and initiatives that support Arizona families.
Verdicts and Vogue: Rewriting the Narrative of Strength
In 2024, Hesano launched podcast “Verdicts and Vogue,” an unexpected blend of empowerment, resilience and real-life stories that defy the traditional image of a trial lawyer.
The podcast explores what it truly means to be strong, in and out of the courtroom. Hesano dives into the good and the bad, the grit and the glory of being a lawyer, business owner, friend, partner and parent. It’s a space where success and struggle coexist, where laughter and tears are equally welcome, and where authenticity always wins.
Through candid conversations with lawyers, leaders and changemakers, “Verdicts and Vogue” reveals the real stories behind the titles. It delves into the moments of doubt, the victories that matter most, and the courage it takes to keep showing up.
“Verdicts and Vogue” celebrates the modern lawyer: powerful, imperfect and unapologetically human.
WAZTLA: A Network Rooted in Collaboration, Not Competition
Perhaps Hesano’s most transformative contribution has been her involvement in The Women’s Committee of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association. The committee began as an idea under the direction of its president at the time, Ilya Lerma, and was brought to reality through the leadership of its co-chairs Hesano, Ronda Kelso and Frances Lynch.
What began as a simple idea to create a supportive space where women trial lawyers could share their experiences and strengthen one another has grown into a dynamic network that is reshaping the culture of the organization.
WAZTLA hosts monthly meetings that blend professional development with genuine connection. The committee provides continuing legal education opportunities, fosters mentorship across all experience levels, and has even created a shared document bank to help attorneys elevate their practice and better serve their clients.
At its core, the mission is simple but powerful: collaboration over competition. The women of WAZTLA come together not just to succeed individually, but to ensure that every woman in the courtroom has the tools, confidence and community to thrive.
Leadership Grounded in Purpose
Hesano’s leadership embodies the same values that define her firm: empathy, accountability and an unwavering commitment to those who place their trust in her.
Her team describes her as both relentless and compassionate; a hands-on leader who empowers others to rise with her. She sets the bar high, not through fear or authority but through mentorship, integrity and example. Hesano invests deeply in her team’s growth, celebrates individuality and challenges every attorney, especially women, to own their voice, their skill and their power in and out of the courtroom.
Her philosophy is simple yet transformative: Leadership is not about control or title. It is about service, courage and the willingness to lift others as you climb.
A Legacy Still in the Making
More than a decade after founding Perez Law Group, Hesano is still expanding her vision:
- A law firm recognized for securing justice in some of Arizona’s most significant and life-changing cases.
- A podcast that reaches beyond the courtroom to explore the humanity, humor and heart behind the law.
- A statewide mentorship network redefining what women’s leadership in law looks like.
- Community partnerships that uplift everyday Arizonans and strengthen the place she proudly calls home.
Hesano has quickly become more than one of Arizona’s leading attorneys. She is a force of change. A builder of spaces where healing begins, where women rise, where families find hope and where justice is not just pursued but felt.
Sophia Gonzalez is chief administrative officer at Perez Law Group.
