New York, NY securities attorney Jacqueline N. Candella shares why she became an attorney and the most rewarding aspect of her practice. She shares that her journey to becoming a lawyer began in fifth grade when she took one of her first American history classes and participated in writing contests on topics such as the Constitution. She was fascinated by the framework of the country and wanted to learn more. As she progressed through her education, she delved deeper into these topics, and the interest persisted throughout high school, where she joined the Law Academy and Moot Court team. In college, she chose to minor in pre-law, and in law school, she continued her involvement in Moot Court, enjoying the challenge of arguing cases.

Beyond her interest in the law, she recognized a strong passion for helping people, which naturally influenced her career path. By combining her desire to understand the legal system with her commitment to assisting others and her love of lifelong learning, she saw becoming a lawyer as a natural choice—a decision for which she remains grateful every day.

She particularly enjoys practicing as a securities lawyer because it allows her to see the people behind the numbers. Many individuals may feel intimidated by or subconsciously judge those in the financial industry, but beyond the stock market and the news, the average American is likely an investor—whether through a 401(k) plan from a nine-to-five job or other investments. Working in this field gives her the opportunity to bring personality and humanity to the numbers and to protect regular investors from advisors who might take advantage of them. Through her work, she helps clients regain livelihoods wrongfully taken from them, which she finds incredibly rewarding. Her motivation and drive are grounded in upholding the mission of investor protection and the real stories of the clients she serves.