
Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza
Partner/ Head of Latin America Practice Group, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
GC: Can you tell us a little about your pathway into law. What made you want to be a lawyer?
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was about 12 years old. My parents are both lawyers and their passion for the profession and what they do was a big inspiration. My mother has been a strong role model to me – a hard-working, smart, and successful lawyer with a beautiful family. I knew I wanted to help others through the law and I spent time reading the Colombian Constitution and Civil Code to understand the rights we had. The Colombian Constitution went through an important reform in 1991 granting many social and economic rights to Colombians such as the fundamental right to education and health. During the summers, I worked with my father on matters that involved the defence of some of those rights. At home, we learned that privileges carry huge responsibilities to society.