We recently had the chance to connect with Maia Botero and have shared our conversation below.
Maia, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are almost always the same. As soon as I wake up, I make my bed—it’s something I started doing after hearing that the most successful people start their day that way because it sets the tone for everything that follows. Since then, I’ve made my bed every single morning, even on weekends or so-called “lazy” days (though I don’t have many of those). After that, I do a quick tidy-up around my apartment, feed my girls (my two cats), and make my coffee—I can’t function without it. Then I get in a workout, usually a barre class or some weight training.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Maia Botero, a Colombian-American attorney based in Miami and the first in my family to pursue a legal career. My path to becoming a lawyer wasn’t the traditional one, which makes the journey even more meaningful to me. I work full-time as an attorney while also growing my personal brand as a micro-influencer, where I share fashion, lifestyle, and law content—from outfit inspiration to insight into life as a young lawyer. I also teach barre part-time, which ties back to my background as a dancer and gives me a creative outlet outside of my legal career.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I was often seen as the “airhead” in the room—partly because I’ve always had a bubbly and outgoing personality that people sometimes mistook for not being serious or smart. I wasn’t the traditionally “book smart” type, and I constantly felt like I had to work twice as hard just to keep up. For years, I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and learning disabilities, and I internalized those challenges as proof that I just wasn’t smart enough. Over time, I started to believe that narrative and convinced myself I couldn’t become an attorney.
But instead of letting that hold me back, I let it fuel me. I took the LSAT five times and never scored above a 150, which isn’t considered a competitive score—but I refused to give up. I got into law school, excelled once I was there, graduated cum laude from my dream school, and passed the bar on my first try.
So what I no longer believe is that I’m not smart or capable. I’ve learned that intelligence shows up in many forms, and that discipline, resilience, and work ethic can take you further than natural aptitude alone. My journey taught me that being underestimated is only a disadvantage if you start to believe it yourself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me far more than success ever could. When things come easily, it’s hard to truly understand their value or the strength it takes to earn them. I grew up in a low-income Colombian household, and while I didn’t realize it as a child, I started to notice the differences as I got older—my peers had their own rooms, got cars when they turned sixteen, and went on family vacations. Those were luxuries my family simply couldn’t afford.
I started working in high school to support myself and haven’t stopped since—except during my first year of law school, when working wasn’t allowed. I bought my first car on my own, saved every dollar I could, and learned the value of independence early on. Then, during college, I was defrauded and lost all of my savings. Losing everything I had worked for was devastating—especially coming from a family that never had much to begin with. Starting over from zero felt impossible, but it forced me to grow in ways I never expected. That moment changed me; it showed me that the law isn’t always black and white. It was a painful reminder that doing everything “right” doesn’t always protect you—but it also became a defining point in my story, one that strengthened my resilience and my commitment to seeing things through, no matter how hard it gets.
The road to becoming an attorney was full of financial hurdles—LSAT prep, testing fees, applications, relocation costs, and tuition—and there were moments I didn’t know how I would make ends meet. During bar prep, I couldn’t work and had to make sure the little money I had would last until I started my job. The pressure of studying for the bar while knowing I didn’t have the option to fail because I had no financial safety net was overwhelming. But I refused to let fear win—I gave it everything I had and passed on my first try.
That journey taught me resilience, discipline, and faith in myself. Suffering showed me that no obstacle is too great when your purpose is strong. More than anything, it taught me to appreciate how far I’ve come and to never take stability for granted. Becoming an attorney wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a way to break a generational cycle, rebuild from nothing, and prove that perseverance can turn pain into purpose.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I deeply admire Ruth Bader Ginsburg. What stands out to me most about her isn’t her title or influence, but her quiet strength, conviction, and ability to lead with grace. She faced unimaginable barriers as a woman in law at a time when few doors were open to her, yet she never let that stop her. She didn’t fight loudly—she fought persistently, strategically, and with unshakable purpose.
I admire how she embodied resilience without ever losing her sense of composure or empathy. She proved that true influence doesn’t come from power or dominance, but from discipline, integrity, and staying true to your principles even when no one’s watching. As a young attorney myself, especially one who has had to carve out my own path, I look up to her example of what it means to create lasting change simply by refusing to give up and by doing the work with excellence every single day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I think my biggest regret would be not trying. I’ve always been someone who gives my all to whatever I set my mind to, because I never want to look back and wonder what if. That mindset has carried me through every challenge, especially when I was studying for the bar exam. I didn’t take a single day off—not because I wanted perfection, but because I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t give myself the best possible chance to succeed.
For me, trying, even if the outcome is uncertain, is always better than living with the thought that I could have done more. I’d rather fail knowing I gave everything I had than never take the chance at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/attorneymaia/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maiabotero/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiabotero/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@maiabotero?lang=en
