Overcoming Barriers

Yoselin Martin’s journey from high school in a Denver suburb to becoming a personal injury attorney is one of persistence, dedication, and personal growth, shaped by her experience as a first-generation college student and a woman of color.

Born and raised in Northglenn, a suburb about 30 minutes north of downtown Denver, Yoselin always knew that higher education was in her future. “My parents are immigrants,” she shared. “They always pushed me and my sister to pursue a college education. It wasn’t a question—just a given.” This drive for academic success was instilled in her early on, as her parents, who had sacrificed so much to build a better life for their family, wanted their daughters to have the opportunities they never did.

Yoselin attended Horizon High School, where she found herself involved in extracurriculars like volleyball and marching band. Although the school wasn’t very diverse at the time, there was a program designed to help Latinx students—especially those from lower-income families—prepare for college. It was here that Yoselin's determination first took root. "College was always the goal," she said. "There was no other option. I always had to work hard for good grades, because college was the only way forward."

Her choice to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, despite her counselor’s advice to apply to more schools, was motivated by a strong desire to create her own path. Yoselin’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Navigating the college application process on her own was a learning curve. But Yoselin was determined. She set her sights on Boulder and, despite doubts from others, she made it happen. 

In college, Yoselin pursued a political science degree, though she didn’t feel entirely at home with it. "It wasn’t what I thought it would be,” she explained. "I didn’t love it. It felt boring, and I struggled to relate to the people in my classes. But I still stuck with it." During this time, she met a fellow sorority sister, who introduced her to resources that would guide her through the tough transition into law school. 

Yoselin considered law school early on but didn’t always feel certain about it. “I’d always thought about becoming a lawyer. It sounded cool, and it had a certain status I found appealing,” she admitted. However, during undergrad, she found herself questioning whether it was truly the right path. The LSAT prep was overwhelming, especially while juggling other coursework. At times, she thought about pursuing a master’s degree in sociology or even a PhD. But after doing the math—calculating the costs of graduate school versus the earning potential of a law degree—she realized that law was the more financially stable option. "It was very logic-based for me,” Yoselin explained. "Law school was a practical decision. I wanted something that would offer financial stability."

Once she made the decision to move forward with law school, Yoselin's commitment was unwavering. She recalls the support of her sorority as a pivotal resource during this time.”The sorority really helped me. It gave me the connections and access to resources that made a difference in my LSAT prep. There was a program specifically for women of color, and that’s how I got into these LSAT prep classes. Without that, I’m not sure where I’d be."

Her college experience wasn’t without its hurdles, especially as a woman of color at a predominantly white institution. “It didn’t always feel like CU was set up for people like me to succeed,” Yoselin shared. "But I found strength in my sorority and the networks I built there."

After navigating the rigorous application process, Yoselin found herself accepted into law schools across the country, including California, Oregon, and New Mexico. She decided to attend the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she would face a new set of challenges. Moving away from home for the first time—especially after having lived just 30 minutes from her parents—was a major adjustment. Adding to that, her first year of law school was online due to the pandemic. “It was crazy,” Yoselin laughed. “I was away from home for the first time, but it wasn’t really the full experience I’d imagined because everything was virtual. But it was a journey. I definitely bonded with my peers in a way that I hadn’t expected.”

As she worked toward becoming a lawyer, Yoselin stayed connected with her mentors from law school, who helped guide her professional growth. "Networking was so important, both in law school and now in my career,” she said. Through these connections, she secured opportunities in personal injury law, which was an area she’d grown passionate about. “I’d always liked the idea of helping injured people,” she explained, adding that her experiences in New Mexico shaped her understanding of the complexities within the legal system.

Her career in personal injury law has now taken off, with the ultimate goal of becoming licensed in Colorado and returning home. In the meantime, she's excited to travel and explore new states, embracing the opportunity to discover what else the country has to offer. “I’m always looking to grow,” she said. "I stay in touch with my mentors, and they connect me to new opportunities. I’m constantly learning and pushing myself toward the best version of who I want to be."

As a first-generation Latina attorney, Yoselin is deeply aware of the importance of paving the way for others. “It’s all about perseverance,” she said. "You have to work hard, build relationships, and never give up on your dreams—even if the road is hard or uncertain at times. For anyone who’s thinking about law school, my advice is this: make sure you’re fully committed, because it’s a long journey that requires a lot of work before you even get in the door."

Yoselin’s story is one of overcoming obstacles, embracing new opportunities, and staying true to her path despite the doubts and challenges along the way. If anyone were to tell the legend of Yoselin Martin, she hopes they would say, “She worked hard to create her own success, and she’s helping others along the way.”

As she looks to the future, Yoselin is excited for the opportunities ahead, but her ultimate goal is clear: "I want to make a difference in the legal field, and I want to be a role model for others who come from backgrounds like mine. The journey never ends—it’s all about learning and growing.” 

Mi Leyenda is excited to share her story, full of resilience and ambition, where it will undoubtedly inspire others to continue pursuing their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.