Great Graduate: Karla Somoano Gonzalez

Photo courtesy of Karla Somoano Gozalez

After fleeing political repression in Cuba, Karla Somoano Gonzalez found in the law a path to advocacy, resilience and purpose. 

---

The thought of uprooting one’s home for a foreign country in hopes of liberty and a promising future may seem like a history-inspired tale. For Karla Somoano Gonzalez’s family, it was the only option to escape the oppression they experienced for speaking out against the Cuban government. Cuban immigrants' journeys to the United States are often marked by resilience and a longing for home—dreams that became thriving lives in America through business, education and professional ambition. Somoano's path to Seton Hall School of Law reflects how education propelled her forward. Overcoming challenges shaped who she was becoming—driven by a profound love for every pursuit in her life.

Karla de la Caridad Somoano Gonzalez was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, a small city outside Havana. Known for its rural, fertile landscape, the region produces some of the best cigars in the world. Somoano’s mother left for the United States when she was two years old in pursuit of a better life. She lived with her father and grandparents until age 15, when she emigrated to West New York, N.J. She recounts her early life in Cuba as difficult, marked by the deprivation of civil liberties and resources. Challenging the government’s authority was not allowed. She witnessed her father being imprisoned for speaking out against the government.

“I remember I was in the living room at my house when the police came in and just took my dad away. I was devastated and thought, ‘Why isn’t anybody doing anything?’”

Somoano used memories of scarcity and adversity she experienced in Cuba to shape her American future. She was determined to understand these injustices. The experience empowered her to become an advocate for the defenseless.

Education consistently held an important place in Somoano’s life. A resilient, driven student who met adversity head-on, she excelled academically in Cuba despite being ostracized. Somoano attended her final two years of high school at Memorial High School in West New York, though she was held back a year after arriving without knowing English. Her uncle, Carlos Manuel Gonzalez, who arrived in the United States during the Mariel boatlift in 1980, encouraged her language development during her first week in the country.

“Do you know the Colombian singer Shakira? She learned English in two years, and you are no less than her.” His encouragement guided Somoano to master the English language. She fondly recalls visiting a restaurant in New York City with her uncle. “He would make me order the food, even though I didn’t even know how to say ‘water.’ He would tell people, ‘She’s learning, so let her order.’ Then he would say it, and I had to repeat it.”

He lovingly reminded her that she would thank him later despite her embarrassment. He arranged for Somoano to practice speaking English on weekends with a conversational partner. She graduated from her English as a Second Language program and eventually joined her regular high school classes full time. He also passionately advocated reading not only to learn the language, but to better oneself. Through lessons emphasizing the importance of staying informed, he motivated her to develop independent thought.

With her uncle’s guidance and her own determination, she persevered. For someone as goal-oriented as Somoano, the path to becoming a lawyer had already begun to unfold. She earned the nickname “town lawyer” at school because she often spoke up on behalf of students who got into trouble. A thirst for truth-seeking ignited her passion for pursuing a legal career, along with an undergraduate internship with the Honorable Marybeth Rogers, now retired from the Hudson County Superior Court.

“All of that led me to believe the legal profession was about giving a voice to those who don’t have one, or explaining to people the reality of things—making sense of very complicated things in life.”

Somoano’s time in law school was central to her flourishing. While attending the Weekend J.D. program at Seton Hall Law, she thrived in positions in finance and real estate at different banks before transitioning to serve as program director of the national nonprofit Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education.

She also studied abroad during the fall 2024 semester, traveling to 18 countries and 34 cities during her six-month stay. The most impactful part of her law school experience was meeting her best friends, Jessica Clifton and Melisa Aguila, during the first week of the Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) program. Somoano credits them as constant sources of inspiration. “Their impact on my life goes far beyond academics. They taught me the importance of lifting others while climbing yourself,” she said. They supported one another through intense bar exam preparation and celebrated passing the February bar exam together. They also cheered her on as she completed law school a semester early.

Somoano ultimately found a way to fuse all her passions. She is currently a law clerk in the real estate division at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC. Upon being sworn in, she will remain at the firm as an associate. She also serves on the board of the Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education and as president of the National Association of Cuban American Women.

Deeply moved by stories of U.S. Coast Guard crews rescuing people at sea during her uncle’s journey to America, Somoano pursued a position with the Coast Guard as a Direct Commission Lawyer Selected Reserve.

Through it all, Somoano offers this: "Be present in every moment and stop thinking about what the future will bring. What am I going to do tomorrow? Think about what you're doing right now and what you can do today."