As a longtime public servant and litigator, Attorney Inez Diaz-Galloza currently serves as the deputy associate attorney general and chief of the Consumer Advocacy Section for the Office of the Attorney General. Having served as an assistant attorney general for 20 years, she also practiced in the Employment Rights Section where she defended state agencies in an array of employment matters in federal and state court as well as the Child Protection Section. At the office, she also co-leads the office’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and internship program which propels her passion for mentoring college and law students. Prior to working at the Office of the Attorney General, she was an associate at Wiggin & Dana. She also serves on Connecticut’s Judicial Selection Commission, as well as numerous non-profit boards, including The Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity, The Fund for Greater Hartford, and Five Frogs. She is a lifelong resident and fan of Connecticut and is passionate about mentoring and enthralled with her three children, dog, rescue kitties, dahlias, and being among the trees.
In honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we asked Attorney Diaz-Galloza to reflect on how she celebrates her heritage and the advice she would share with younger Latinx/Hispanic professionals:
How do you celebrate or honor your identity during this month?
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, for me, means creating opportunities for connection and learning at the Office of the Attorney General—such as hosting a lunch & learn presentation by Yale University Professor Albert Laguna on his popular course, “Bad Bunny: Musical Aesthetics and Politics.” It also includes participating in events like the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Diversity Week Opening Ceremony and the CBA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit.
With gratitude, I pause this month to reflect on the many Latinx shoulders I have stood on and the Latinx voices that have shaped me—especially my two amazing Puerto Rican parents, who exemplified love, kindness, and a deep commitment to our cultural roots.
What advice would you give to other Latinx/Hispanic people aspiring to work in the legal profession?
Growing up during the “melting pot” era—when assimilation and English‑only initiatives prevailed—I was taught, both subtly and overtly, to downplay my Puerto Rican heritage in exchange for belonging. In college and law school, I intentionally reversed course. I embraced and celebrated my Puerto Rican identity, educating myself about the island’s history and politics, and even immersing myself in the culture beyond my family by participating in UConn Law School’s exchange program with the University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
My advice for Latinx individuals aspiring to enter the legal profession is this: show up as your whole, authentic self. The diversity of thought, perspective, and lived experience you bring is not only valuable—it's a powerful asset to the profession.
Additionally, seek out mentors. Unlike when I was exploring law school, mentors are everywhere now, and they can be a true lifeline. Relatedly, join organizations such as the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity. These communities are rich with information, connection, and a genuine sense of belonging.