Meet Pia Candotti | Estate Planning Attorney & Latina Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pia Candotti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was working at a middle size firm in Atlanta practicing Business Immigration when I realized I wanted my own business. I had a deep desire to focus my practice on foreign residents like me, and specifically, the Hispanic community. As a sole proprietor, I would have more flexibility to make my own business decisions that would best align with my goals. Additionally, my dream has always been to have my own team, where we all share a similar passion and the opportunity to grow together. The catalyst, however, was when I realized the limited information available within the Hispanic community regarding the importance of estate planning, not just for one’s assets, but also for one’s health and family planning. I knew from then on, that my path forward was estate planning and my practice would be mine to grow.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a dual licensed attorney in Argentina and Georgia. In the United States, I started working as a Paralegal in the Business Immigration department of a prestigious middle sized law firm in Atlanta. I continued working under contract for big firms while I decided to pursue a Master of Laws at Georgia State University and sit for the GA Bar Exam.

The most difficult decision I had to make professionally was to take a breath and slow down, or in my case, to just take a break. My goal was to become a licensed attorney in the United States, but when I graduated from Law School, I was 7 months pregnant. Trying study for the Bar exam with a newborn and without family support, as they all lived in Argentina, was overwhelming. I was studying in a foreign language with limited hours each day and on very little sleep, and ultimately, I did not pass the Bar Exam on my 1st attempt. When I failed the Bar Exam, I felt completely defeated. It was the 1st exam I had ever failed in my life. I have always been a believer that with effort I would succeed, but this exam, under these circumstances, was beyond me. I did realize, however, that I needed to slow down and find my rhythm again…and I did! Sometimes the best long-term decision is to say no, whether to a commitment or a client, to reject an opportunity, or to just take a break.

In hindsight, failing the GA Bar exam was the best learning experience of my life … and quoting Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man In The Arena,” which is also magnificently quoted by Brene Brown in her TED talk, The Power of Vulnerability, … “There is no effort without error and shortcoming” … but in the end I enjoyed “the triumph of high achievement”. As I prepared to take the Bar Exam again, I vividly remembered being both exhausted and frustrated, but I closed my eyes and imagined myself in a worthy cause, at my own firm, helping my community.

I would like the world to know about the importance of estate planning, specifically for people that have family living outside of the United States. Many residents come from countries that follow a Civil Law legal system, like most of Latin America and Europe, where heirs are imposed by statute. Many of those residents are unaware of our common law estate planning structure, where they can freely decide how and when to distribute their assets upon death. Estate Planning is more than a plan, it is a way to transcend, protect and help your loved ones, even though you are not physically here anymore. It is family harmony and financial surety. Estate planning ensures those who should not have access to your assets do not, and most importantly, it is a way to say “thanks” and give back to those that helped and supported you throughout life. My law firm represents my values, commitment, and dedication. I care about each of my clients as if they were family and in today’s fast paced world, I believe that is a meaningful differentiator.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This definitely depends on which friends are visiting. If my family or friends from Argentina come visit, I have to take them to the tourist hot spots – the Aquarium, the Zoo, the World of Coke, the Botanical Gardens, the Fernbank Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Martin Luther King’s childhood’s house. We would also eat well… indulging in all the diversity Atlanta has to offer, and which cannot be found in Argentina – thai, sushi, indian, american burgers, korean, etc. Atlanta has also the perfect combination of neighborhoods to see from the eclectic Ponce City Market and Virgina Highlands to upscale Buckhead to the beautiful peace and quiet of the Chatahoochee National Park. Having a coffee at the Chatahoochee Coffee Company, looking out over the river as birds fly past is priceless!

For my American friends, I ALWAYS take them to eat at Belen de la Cruz Empanadas & Pastries. They have the most authentic Argentinian empanadas and pastries in Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All the wonderful people who stood by my side since I arrived in the US. Teri Simmons, who gave me my first internship and job in Atlanta; Maria Kong, who was my immigration mentor; my husband, son and parents, who are my unconditional cheerleaders; my estate planning mentor Shunta McBride and also Sherrie Poblete; Lina Gomez, who has been my main support in this wonderful and challenging journey of motherhood; my friends that are my family in the US; and my wonderful Hispanic community, specifically the strong, powerful and inspiring Latinas like Kath Hoyos (who recommended me for this interview), Patricia Gaya, Ursula Eyherabide, Vivi Donikian, Ana Maria Martinez (GA Latino Law Foundation), Claudia Beltran, Analia Rao, Andre Bacigalupo and many more. Thank you for your love and never-ending support!

Instagram: candotti_law_firm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pía-candotti-sherman-19909747

Facebook: Candotti Law Firm

Image Credits
Professional pictures by Seta Visual