National Hispanic Heritage Month: Spotlighting Mayling Blanco

New York partner Mayling C. Blanco represents corporations and individuals in white-collar defense, government investigations and commercial litigation matters. In September, she led a New York team to secure an extremely rare post-trial reversal of a conviction for the firm's longtime client Full Play Group SA, an Argentine sports marketing company, in the FIFA corruption case. The firm was also listed as a Legal Lion by Law360 in September for the Full Play win. In our Hispanic Heritage Month profile below, Mayling talks about being a Cuban immigrant to the US.

Mayling Blanco's immigration journey from her home country of Cuba began when she was five years old.

"It has been the most impactful thing that has happened in my life and has always been sort of a theme in our family, as with many immigrant families," she recounted.

In 1980, Mayling's father decided to make the treacherous crossover to Miami during the Mariel boatlift crisis. He had to go on his own because Mayling and her brother were still young, and their mother did not want to take the risk.

Due to domestic relations between the two countries, Mayling, her mom and brother moved to Spain for one year before reuniting with her father in New York City. They left everything behind – even her mom's wedding ring.

"The experience helps me keep life in perspective. When I lose my favorite bracelet or something, my mom reminds me and now my daughter, 'Don't worry about it. Everything will be OK.' She has definitely shaped my view of what is important."

While many first- and second-generation Cuban Americans of similar age resided in Miami, Mayling's family remained in New York City.

"Not having much growing up, my parents showed us all the world-class opportunities at our doorstep and we took advantage of every single one—free concerts in the park, museums, NYC best pizza, giveaway theater tickets or a magical walk down Fifth Avenue on Christmas Eve."

The energy of the city and proximity to family drew Mayling back to the city following her undergraduate studies and service in Teach for America.

"What I love about New York City is that everybody comes from somewhere, even though we're all New Yorkers, and it is quite a unique experiment."

Mayling's path to becoming a New Yorker started with a brave choice by her parents to immigrate to the United States. This decision remains the most pivotal moment in Mayling's life.

"Being an immigrant has shaped everything in my life."