Member Spotlight - South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group

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Edna Falla-Quintanilla
Head of Corporate Legal
FIFA

Law School & Year: Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, 1999, post-graduate degree in Commercial Law at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, 2001, and LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School in 2005

LinkedIn: Edna Falla-Quintanilla | LinkedIn

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?
It has been a privilege to be a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group for many years, and to witness its growth and impact in our community. Personally, this group has taught me the importance of building a strong professional network. As a foreign attorney, practicing law in a new country can be daunting. When you practice in-house, this is even more critical as you may not be surrounded by many other attorneys, and it can be difficult to fit in. When I found the SFWIHCG, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I met many talented colleagues ready to offer a helping hand, share experiences and build a community. Over the years, this community has grown stronger, and it is now a solid professional network that has opened doors for me and for many others. Whether you need help with referrals, job searches, the latest on data privacy regulations, how to use AI in your work or where to find the best legal software, this group is ready to lend a hand. And to top it all off, you will make lifelong friendships along the way!

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the legal field?
One of the most rewarding parts of being in this group is the opportunity to meet younger attorneys and share some (hopefully) helpful advice. Something I always like to say is that you should not begin building a network only when you need it, because by then it will be too late. Building a professional network needs to be part of your daily life, and you can rest assured that those connections you have built over the years will be there for you when you need them.

Secondly, I urge younger lawyers to get out of their comfort zone, to raise their hands and volunteer to learn something new and expose themselves to different professional opportunities. This helps them build a stronger profile and can open doors for them in the future.

Finally, you should make it your job to learn the business of your organization. In-house attorneys are no longer confined to the four walls of the Legal Department. We need to become strategic business advisors and for that, we need to know how our organizations work, what are the top goals and challenges for the business, understand the industry and look beyond the legal world.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
At 10 years old, I already knew that I wanted to be a lawyer and I never changed my mind. I owe this to my dad, who had started Law School before I was born but had to suspend his studies to work full time to support our family. When I was in elementary school, he decided to go back to school, studying at night and working during the day. We engaged in lively debates over dinner about politics and legal issues and I loved going through his books. I was also intrigued by how most of the main characters in my history books were lawyers, from Generals to Presidents, and that relationship between law and power was fascinating to me. Over the years, my mom and teachers encouraged me to explore other career paths because I excelled in math — but who says lawyers can’t be great at math too?

Can you share a memorable or funny story from your time practicing law?
I recently went through a very drastic change of industries. After 14 years in the transportation and logistics sector with FedEx, I decided to join the sports and entertainment arena with FIFA. Doing this when I have over 20 years of experience practicing law has been humbling! I have always loved football and thought I knew a lot about the game, but I quickly found that I was entering a whole new world. When I met my new team, I wanted to share the things I had learned during orientation, like how a football field was called a “pitch” (who knew, right?) and they kindly just nodded. After a few days working together, I realized that everyone in my team was a football expert and they just did not want to make me feel bad! I have made the best out of acknowledging that there are many things I don’t know. Learning keeps you young!

Cindy Jacobs
Attorney
Salesforce

Law School & Year: University of Miami, School of Law, J.D. 1994

LinkedIn: Cindy Jacobs | LinkedIn

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?
As a founding member of this Group with Sira, I am honored to be part of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel. For me it is always important to “give back” as I have been so lucky in my several decade legal career to receive coaching and mentoring from several lawyers along the way. So, the impact for me is to “stop and be grateful” for all that I have learned and accomplished being an in-house attorney, and to meet and mentor the younger attorneys coming behind me. I love the camaraderie and collegiality of this group. We do a combo of fun and learning activities but all within a great group of women.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
My inspiration for pursuing a legal career actually came from my career in banking as a corporate loan officer for several years. After earning a Liberal Arts degree from Vanderbilt and spending several years living in Madrid, I pursued an MBA at the University of Miami to deepen my involvement in the business world. Following graduation, I joined Bank of America’s corporate lending program and advanced to an AVP/Commercial Lending Officer role.

In that capacity, I worked closely with outside counsel to structure and document complex lending transactions for corporate clients. Through that collaboration, I discovered a strong interest in the legal side of deal-making—particularly in crafting and negotiating the agreements that bring transactions to life. Encouraged by one of the attorneys I worked with, I made the decision to attend law school at the University of Miami.

From the outset, my motivation for entering the legal profession was grounded in transactions, rather than litigation. More than three decades after graduating from law school, I continue to find deep satisfaction in practicing law—on my own terms within a corporation and in the way that best aligns with my strengths and interests.

How do you align legal strategies with the overall business goals in your company?
In order to align legal strategies to the overall business goals of the company, your first step is to learn as much as you can about the company, its people, its products and services, its history, and its risk tolerance. I would recommend that when you start a new role it is a good idea to meet with persons from the various business areas to obtain background information about the company and its business and goals. Once you have spent a lot of time doing “due diligence” on the company and its people, you can then consider the legal strategies that you would consider important and you will be more prepared to give solid guidance. To me, the most important skill you can work on is getting invited to the meetings all over the company, building trust with the business so that they come to get your advice and input early on and then make sure to publicize your “wins” when you are able to successfully support the business. End goal is to be invited to the meetings where your advice is sought after and not having to be brought in as an “after thought”. You always want to be top of mind to the business leaders. So, a coffee every few months with the leaders is important. It doesn’t have to be so formal, it could be grab a lunch or just a check in session of some kind.

Lauren Brunswick
General Counsel
Celdara Medical, LLC

Law School & Year: University of Pennsylvania School of Law 2004

LinkedIn: Lauren Brunswick | LinkedIn

What impact has being a member of the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group had for you?
Because I work remotely, building and sustaining a sense of professional community has been especially important to me. Through the South Florida Women In-House Counsel Group, I’ve been fortunate to connect with incredible women who have made a meaningful impact on both my professional and personal life. The organization’s diverse programming, including learning opportunities and networking, has allowed me to be creative, step into leadership roles, and grow in ways that have been truly beneficial.

How do you see the role of women in the legal profession evolving in the coming years?
I see women continuing to take on greater leadership and influence across the legal profession, particularly in roles that shape strategy and culture. Women bring a unique voice and skill set, and that perspective is a key reason we will continue to move into senior leadership positions. As more women advance, there is an opportunity to redefine leadership in ways that value collaboration, authenticity, and long-term thinking. Mentorship and sponsorship have shaped my own path, and by continuing to support one another, we can strengthen the profession and help open doors for the next generation.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the legal field?
Be yourself, work hard, and trust that your voice belongs in the room. Early in my career, I tried to emulate others and what I thought a successful lawyer was supposed to look or sound like, but I found I was far more effective and fulfilled once I leaned into my own strengths and style. Authenticity builds confidence and credibility, and consistent effort over time really does add up. I would also encourage young women to seek out mentors and sponsors who support their growth and to invest in community, especially in a profession that can sometimes feel isolating.

What are some daily habits you’ve incorporated to stay focused, grounded, motivated, and manage stress?
Daily movement is one of the most important ways I stay grounded, focused, and energized. Whether it’s running, taking an exercise class, or getting outside for a quick walk, it helps me manage stress and maintain perspective. I often work out with friends, which adds a fun, social element and keeps me connected. Making time for my daughters also keeps me centered and reminds me why balance and community matter so much, both at work and at home.

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