A Career in Advocacy: Tanya Gomerman Connects with Design Tech Students

The decision to pursue a career in law often begins with a fundamental desire to advocate for others, the person who steps in when it matters most.

A recent Exploration class with Attorney Tanya Gomerman at Design Tech High School offered insight into what legal advocacy can look like as a profession. 

Tanya built her career around being a voice for others, and today, this defines her work as a plaintiff-side attorney, representing employees and injured individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 

“I’ve always been someone who wanted to step in and advocate for others,” Tanya said. “The law gives you the tools to help people move forward.”

Tanya brought a perspective that students may recognize in themselves, especially those drawn to problem-solving and to speaking up when it matters.

The Design Tech High School building at the Oracle campus in Redwood City

Where Problem-Solving Meets Advocacy

The Redwood City school’s location on the Oracle campus provided a fitting backdrop for a conversation like this. At Design Tech, students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and explore new ways of working through challenges. That same mindset is central to Tanya’s work as a trial attorney, often involving complex situations, developing strategies to hold the appropriate parties accountable, and securing the best outcomes for her clients.

For those considering a path in the legal field, Tanya’s work offers an example of how skills like advocacy, problem-solving, and tactical thinking translate into real-world work.

While each student may take away something different, experiences like this help turn abstract ideas about the future into something more tangible.

Charting a Course in Law

A key takeaway is that there is no single roadmap to a career in law. Whether interests lie in writing, debate, technology, or design, each has a place. What matters most is the ability to work through challenges and the drive to understand how to make an impact.

Spending time at a high school in the heart of Silicon Valley offered Tanya an inspiring look at the future. It is clear that the next generation is already approaching problems with the creativity and intention needed to leave their own mark.