Page 32 - Pierce County Lawyer - March April 2025

LAWYER SPOTLIGHT
Attorney Spotlight
Meet Lauren Romero
Lauren Romero brings a refreshing
candor and humility to the
legal profession. A Tacoma-
based Veteran’s, Tenants’, and Family
Law attorney with a rich and varied
background, Lauren recently sat down
with me to share insights into her career,
her pathway into law, and her grounded
approach to justice.
The Journey to Law:
An Accidental Calling
Lauren’s legal path wasn’t linear—it
began with cannons. As a former
field artillery officer in the U.S. Army,
Lauren knew that her military trajectory
needed to shift. “I didn’t see much use
for shooting cannons in civilian life,”
she quips with dry wit. She applied to
the Army’s Funded Legal Education
Program (FLEP—because, of course, the
military loves acronyms) to become a
JAG officer. Fate had other plans; Lauren
was medically retired before being
selected, but law school applications were
already underway. “I didn’t know what
else to do with my life at the time. Law
seemed like job security, and the work
was already done.”
Just 90 days after her military discharge,
Lauren started law school—an
experience she calls both challenging
and transformative. “Reacclimating to
civilian life while diving into law school
isn’t something I’d recommend,” she
reflects. “But ultimately, I’ve always been
driven by a desire to protect people,
whether from institutional or personal
bullies.”
Practice with Purpose
Lauren’s practice reflects her deep
empathy and commitment to justice.
From Eviction Defense to Family Law,
she focuses on helping people through
life’s most difficult moments. “Everyone
touches the legal system at some point,
and when they do, it’s usually the worst
day of their life. I try to be the person
who guides them through it.”
While Lauren doesn’t always
love being a lawyer (“It’s
complicated,” she admits), her
sense of responsibility keeps
her grounded. “I’ve done the
work to get here. I have the
tools to help people who need
it. If not me, then who?”
Navigating the
Legal Community
Lauren’s commitment
extends beyond her caseload.
Whether volunteering with
Tacomaprobono, serving
on the Board of Skate Like
a Girl, or working with the
National Lawyers Guild,
Lauren prioritizes hands-
on engagement. “I prefer
teaching skateboarding or
doing legal observing. It’s
about being involved with the things
I care about most.”
Even though her relationship status
with the military is “complicated,”
her military roots have guided her work
in Veterans’ Law. “It’s fulfilling work,”
Lauren says.
Litigation as Controlled Chaos
Lauren compares litigation to combat
operations—a controlled chaos
demanding strategic adjustments.
“There’s a winner and a loser in
litigation. That appeals to me in a strange
way,” she admits, acknowledging the
competitive drive behind her courtroom
presence. But her approach remains
collaborative: “Litigation is stressful
enough—I strive to be the most pleasant
person to work with. I’m not going to
scream at you in an email inbox.”
Her calm professionalism earns respect.
“I come in at a “2” and escalate if
necessary. Being an <expletive deleted>
doesn’t serve my clients.”
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Barriers and Bias
As a masculine-presenting woman,
Lauren faces gender bias in courtrooms.
“Judges and commissioners get confused
by my aura,” she jokes. “I’ve been called
mister, miss, and counsel all in the same
hearing.” While she personally takes it
in stride, Lauren emphasizes its broader
significance. “It’s like getting someone’s
name right—it’s basic respect.”
Her reflections on professionalism
resonate deeply. Lauren highlights the
importance of inclusive practices, like
consistent pronoun use. “If you make it
a common practice, it’s easy. If you only
do it when you’re put on the spot, you’ll
never get it through your head. The
courtroom is your performance; law is
theater. This is your time. You can’t forget
your line during the performance.”
Her words challenge all legal
professionals to approach their roles with
intentional respect and preparedness.
“In your personal life, mistakes are part
of learning. In your professional life, you
owe it to your clients and your role to be
polished and respectful.”