Use it — and don’t be afraid to be visible. People connect with stories, insights, and authenticity. When you put yourself out there, you create opportunities. Whether it’s someone who resonates with your perspective or someone who benefits from your content, every post is a potential door opener.
The legal field is known to be extremely competitive. Lawyers are often smart, ambitious, and highly educated. That being said, what does it take to stand out and become a “Top Lawyer” in your specific field of law? In this interview series called “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law”, we are talking to top lawyers who share what it takes to excel and stand out in your industry.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Candise Shanbron, Esq. managing partner and COO of Cernitz Law.
Shanbron has dedicated her entire legal career exclusively to the practice of property insurance law. Cernitz Law serves homeowners as well as commercial property owners in Florida, New York and Texas. Shanbron spent the first part of her career representing insurance companies, giving her a unique perspective and advantage in representing policyholders. Since 2008, she has zealously advocated on behalf of policyholders Florida. In 2012, she joined her husband at Cernitz Law, which has represented thousands of clients who have had insurance claims on their properties denied or underpaid, as well as accident and injury victims.
Backstory
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit more. What is the “backstory” that brought you to this particular career path in Law? Did you want to be an attorney “when you grew up”?
Fortunately — or unfortunately — there’s no particularly glamorous or inspirational story behind how I became a lawyer or chose my practice area. Like many people who didn’t discover their passion early on or follow in a family member’s footsteps, I had no clear direction after college. Around that time, I reconnected with a childhood friend from middle school — someone I had always admired — who was attending law school in New York. Her path sparked the idea in me. Maybe it inspired me, or maybe it simply bought me more time to figure things out. Either way, that moment nudged me toward law school, and here I am.
Can you tell us a bit about the nature of your practice and what you focus on?
I exclusively practice property insurance law, representing both homeowners and commercial property owners. We handle claims where insurance companies either underpaid or outright denied coverage for the claim. In commercial cases, things can get even more complex and may involve additional types of coverage such as loss of business income, rental income, or even damage to specialized equipment. It’s a niche area and incredibly meaningful work.
You are a successful attorney. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? What unique qualities do you have that others may not? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Thinking Outside the Box: I’ve lost count of how many times other lawyers have told me, or at least implied, that I must be crazy. And I love that. When people think your approach or strategy is too unconventional, that often means you’re onto something truly original and game changing. I’m not afraid to try what others won’t.
- Practicing with Intention: I’ve never treated any client as just another case file, nor do I measure a case’s importance by its dollar value. Every matter comes with a unique set of facts and hidden variables that can change everything. When you approach a case with the same care as if it were your own, or for someone you love, you show up differently. You fight harder, think deeper, and dig further.
- The Devil is in the Detail: I have an almost compulsive need to find the needle in the haystack, because that’s where the truth — and the win — usually lies. In one case, I dug deeper than any attorney had before and found a critical irregularity that completely turned the case around. Because of that discovery, the insurance company had to pay my clients 20 times what they originally sought. That detail changed everything, including their lives.
Do you think you have had luck in your success? Can you explain what you mean?
Absolutely. I never had grand ambitions or a master plan. I was always a hard worker — someone who gave their all without necessarily aiming for the top. For a long time, I didn’t even recognize my own value or ask for what I deserved.
A turning point came when my husband started his own firm. He quickly became overwhelmed with cases and couldn’t imagine bringing anyone else on but me. Initially, I refused. I was too comfortable where I was. One of us needed a steady paycheck, right? But he kept working on me, slowly and persistently, and eventually gave me the courage to take the leap. We’ve always referred to ourselves as “the little engine that could,” and we’ve built something I could never have imagined.
Do you think where you went to school has any bearing on your success? How important is it for a lawyer to go to a top-tier school?
Not at all, unless your goal is to work at a prestigious big-law firm. If you’re planning to build your own practice, where you went to school matters far less than your work ethic, grit, and reputation. Success in law is about persistence and performance, not pedigree.
Based on the lessons you have learned from your experience, if you could go back in time and speak to your twenty-year-old self, what would you say? Would you do anything differently?
I truly believe everything happens for a reason and that we all end up where we’re meant to be. I try to live without regrets. That said, if I could change one thing, it would be learning earlier the importance of relationships and community. That wasn’t something instilled in me growing up, and it took years to come out of my shell. But once I did, my personal and professional life expanded in ways I never imagined.
This is not easy work. What is your primary motivation and drive behind the work that you do?
It’s simple: I love taking on the big, bad insurance companies — especially in relationships where the power dynamic is so unequal. That David vs. Goliath battle fires me up. It’s deeply satisfying to fight for people who otherwise wouldn’t stand a chance.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
This is a tough one. My area of law, especially in Florida, has been hit with a lot of unfavorable changes that skew heavily against policyholders. It’s becoming more and more anti-consumer. I’ve also noticed that the judiciary feels increasingly political, with less focus on actual jurisprudence. That said, I’ve been working on a few new legal theories I’d love to test. But timing is everything, and I’m being very strategic about when and how to move forward.
Where do you go from here? Where do you aim to be in the next chapter of your career?
At almost 50, I have truly embraced living in the moment and enjoying the process and journey. While it is amazing to set goals for yourself and to have the ability to visualize and manifest what you want out of life and your career, I’m not forcing anything. I’m excited and grateful to be where I am and continuing to build something extraordinary with my husband and team. What that all entails in the next five or 10 years, I’m not sure but I can’t wait to find out!
Without sharing anything confidential, can you please share your most successful “war story”? Can you share the funniest?
One of my most memorable cases was when I went far beyond the usual scope of legal research and uncovered a technical irregularity that no one else had seen. That single detail forced the insurance company to settle for 20 times the amount initially claimed. It also opened the door to consequential and punitive damages. It was one of those moments where you realize just how powerful deep diligence can be.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now shift to discussing some advice for aspiring lawyers. Do you work remotely? Onsite? Or Hybrid? What do you think will be the future of how law offices operate? What do you prefer? Can you please explain what you mean?
I work primarily remotely, mostly because it creates a more peaceful work-life balance with my partner — who also happens to be my husband. The rest of our team works onsite. I think remote work will continue to appeal to those who are more introverted or value independence, but for many, being in-person is irreplaceable. There’s a different energy and synergy that comes from sharing space, collaborating in real-time, and just being around one another. It’s powerful for team dynamics.
How has the legal world changed since the release of Chat GPT? How do you think it might change in the near future? Can you explain what you mean?
Honestly, I think ChatGPT is dangerous. It appeals to our desire for speed, ease, and efficiency — but those things come at a cost. People rarely think about the long-term implications or the unknowns. We’ve already seen stories about lawyers relying on AI to write briefs, only to be humiliated when the output was completely wrong on the law because AI fabricated case law that did not exist. That’s just the beginning. I fear what’s coming next. Legal practice requires a level of passion, great storytelling, instinct, gumption, creativity and human judgment that no tool can replicate.
Based on your experience, how can attorneys effectively leverage social media to build their practice?
Use it — and don’t be afraid to be visible. People connect with stories, insights, and authenticity. When you put yourself out there, you create opportunities. Whether it’s someone who resonates with your perspective or someone who benefits from your content, every post is a potential door opener.
Excellent. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law?” Please share a story or an example for each.
1. Creative and resourceful
2. Intentional in the practice
3. Problem solver
4. Patience and persistence to find the devil in the details
5. Fearless to take on any challenges and to be different than everyone else
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this.
Howard Stern. If the life story portrayed in his film is accurate, I’m fascinated by his childhood, relationship with his parents, his fearless attitude to be different and contrarian, uniquely crass and audacious, juxtaposed by his deep sense of loyalty, humility, and depth. He knows what people want to know before they even know what they want to hear, know or learn.
Beneath the radio persona, he has this uncanny gift of seeing into people’s souls. His interviews often go far deeper than most, pulling out raw truths and vulnerabilities that even the most seasoned journalists can’t seem to reach. That mix of intellect, instinct, and humanity is something I would love to explore in conversation.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!