Women in Law 2023

2023

LEYNEE CRUZ FLORES PARTNER Golan Christie Taglia

L eynee Flores, partner at Golan Christie Taglia, has been representing corporate fiduciaries and individuals with probate, guardianship and estate planning matters for 10 years—and for almost as long, she has been an active advocate for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. As a longtime volunteer for the Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL), she has played an enduring role in providing direct civil legal services for elderly clients and individuals with disabilities. Leynee currently serves on CDEL’s Young Professionals Board, where she helps to coordinate fundraising events, supports volunteer awards benefits and recruits pro bono volunteers. Described as a “ray of sunshine” by CDEL leaders, Leynee’s knack for fostering relationships and motivating teams, including Spanish-speaking clients and volunteers, creates a friendly and optimistic environment that can be difficult to find for individuals navigating an often- daunting legal system. Leynee’s tireless efforts to break down the logistical and emotional barriers to justice have established her as a reliable resource for other individuals and organizations who seek to do the same. The Illinois Supreme Court recently appointed Leynee to its Commission on Elder Law, where she applies her experience to policy and procedural review

of elder law matters. She is also regularly appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in cases involving guardianships for disabled adults. Leynee’s commitment to accessibility in the justice system extends to her peers in the profession. As the former president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and current treasurer for the Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois, Leynee works to uplift and engage in fellowship with other Hispanic attorneys, exchanging valuable information, encouragement and resources necessary to boost diversity in the legal profession. Her appointment to Golan Christie Taglia’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee earlier this year has given Leynee the opportunity to collaborate with her colleagues to create a welcoming and inclusive office. Leynee’s work has not gone unnoticed. She has been named a Latino 40 Under 40 by Negocio Now , an Emerging Lawyer for Leading Lawyers , and a Rising Star in Illinois by Super Lawyers . At Golan Christie Taglia, Leynee works with a diverse client base to solve complex legal issues regarding asset disputes, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty and competency. Leynee’s personalized approach, which she augments with broad legal experience in both Illinois and Florida, allows her to develop creative legal solutions for her clients’ most sophisticated challenges.

WOMEN IN LAW 2023