Raising The Bar With Daniela Hadges
How One Latina Lawyer Is Redefining Legal Advocacy & Building A Legacy Beyond The Courtroom.
This year’s People of the Year list is filled with innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Among them is Daniela Hadges, a powerhouse in the legal field who has managed to turn a once-traditional practice into a platform for empowerment, justice, and cultural transformation.
Founder and managing attorney of House of Law, she is not just rewriting the rules of legal representation. She is setting a new standard. And she’s doing it unapologetically, with purpose, and from a place of deep authenticity.
“Thank you, this recognition is deeply meaningful,” she says when asked about the 2025 People of the Year honor. “Personally, it’s a reflection of my journey as a mother, Latina, and business owner who refused to shrink herself in spaces not built for her. Professionally, it affirms the mission behind House of Law. We’re not just a personal injury firm, we’re a movement.”
It’s not hyperbole. The firm’s signature motto, “Lawyer Up,” has become a rallying cry for clients and colleagues alike, signaling not only legal readiness but a deeper demand for excellence, dignity, and advocacy. “It means choosing to elevate your legal representation, to demand more, expect better, and be treated with the respect and excellence you deserve,” she adds. “This award belongs to every woman on my team and every client who trusted us to fight for them with strength and integrity.”
Since founding House of Law five years ago, she has scaled the practice from a small trio to a powerhouse of 17 women, each bringing unique experience and perspective to the firm’s culture of fearlessness and client-first values. “That kind of growth didn’t happen by accident,” she says. “It’s the result of staying rooted in our core values: fearless advocacy, client-centered service, and a commitment to excellence.”
While the firm has secured numerous seven-figure settlements, she is most proud of its internal impact. “What I’m most proud of is building a firm that not only delivers results but also elevates the client experience. We fight with heart. We win with purpose.”
As the legal industry continues to evolve in the age of AI and automation, she’s clear-eyed about what will and won’t change.
“Technology will handle more routine tasks, sure. But no algorithm can replace empathy, cultural competence, or the ability to stand in a courtroom and passionately fight for a client’s future,” she says. “The future of law belongs to those who can blend efficiency with emotional intelligence and who understand that elevated legal representation requires both innovation and heart.”
Her firm uses emerging technologies to streamline workflow and increase access, but at the core of everything is the human connection. “At House of Law, we use tech to enhance, not replace, the human element of what we do.”
A fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has also become a sought-after mentor for aspiring attorneys, especially women and people of color entering the field. Her advice is direct and often transformational.
“Lead with purpose, not ego,” she says. “The legal world can be intimidating, but if you know your ‘why,’ you’ll never lose your way. Be relentless about excellence but never forget to be kind, to others and to yourself. And don’t just find a seat at the table, build your own table.”
That mindset is foundational at House of Law, where leadership is shared and authenticity is non-negotiable. “We’ve created a space where women can lead powerfully and unapologetically,” she adds. “’Lawyer Up’ isn’t just a client motto, it’s a personal standard.”
Outside the courtroom, her life revolves around family and giving back. “My son is my anchor,” she says. “No matter how demanding my work gets, I’ve made a personal vow to be fully present in his life, to cheer for every win, show up for every moment, and remind him daily that he is loved and seen.”
This same sense of grounded purpose led her to launch Nuestro Legado, a scholarship initiative focused on supporting minority law students. “It’s about legacy, creating a path and opportunities for the generations that follow.”
From scaling a law firm to launching a scholarship fund, from mentoring young attorneys to raising a son with love and intention, she continues to prove that leadership and compassion are not mutually exclusive. They are inseparable.
But for her, the ultimate reward is simpler and more profound. “Everything I do is rooted in love, purpose, and the belief that we all deserve to be heard, uplifted, and represented.”
In a world often driven by power plays and prestige, this honoree is proof that the future of law and leadership belongs to those bold enough to lead with heart.
