(From left) Anthony Baquero ’09, Mary Baquero ’97, and John Baquero ’11
Mary Baquero ’97 started the Baquero Law Office in Minneapolis nearly 25 years ago as a solo practitioner specializing in immigration law. That is, until she hired her sons Anthony Baquero ’09 and John Baquero ’11 to join her.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Mary attended Normandale Community College and St. Catherine University. At Normandale, she participated in the study abroad program that took place in Colombia. There, she learned to speak Spanish and fell in love with the culture. She also met and fell in love with Richard, with whom she would marry and have a family.
Back in Minnesota, Mary worked full-time while attending law school at William Mitchell College of Law. She chose the school because it allowed her to attend classes part-time in the evenings. “William Mitchell not only filled a need for working families, but I also loved learning with people my age,” she claimed.
Although having a family, working, and going to law school was a challenge, Richard would bring their two boys and daughter Lucy to campus to see their mother and have dinner together in the cafeteria. “I can still smell and taste those French fries,” Anthony said. “They were delicious.” John seconded that statement.
After graduating law school, Mary took the bar exam in Florida, where the family had moved for Richard’s career. “It was my goal to pass the bar before age 40,” she said. And she succeeded.
Eventually, after discovering that the company Richard worked for would have a position in Minnesota, Mary was determined to pass the Minnesota bar so they could relocate to Minnesota. Mary passed the bar again in Minnesota and worked for a corporation offering legal employee benefit consultations in Spanish. She began to work with the Spanish-speaking community in Minneapolis and soon reduced her hours to part time at the corporation. That’s when Richard encouraged her to start her own firm, realizing she could accomplish something greater by fulfilling her own dreams while helping others fulfill theirs.
“It was Richard’s encouragement and sacrifice that made our family’s legacy of law a reality,” Mary lovingly said. “He held down the house and kids while I attended law school, encouraged me to start my own practice, and sacrificed his own successful career as an architect to be the firm’s office manager, IT support, and maintenance man. He’s everything.”
Anthony, the eldest son, would be first to follow his mother’s footsteps into the legal field, but it didn’t happen right away. He completed his undergrad at Carleton College and took a year off to live in Colombia, study for the LSAT, and apply to law school. Having played basketball at Carleton, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to practice immigration law or work in the world of sports. He applied to several out of state and in-state schools, including William Mitchell.
He still remembers opening William Mitchell’s acceptance letter and its generous scholarship offer. In the end, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to study at the very same school where his mother studied over a decade before. He ultimately accepted the generous scholarship and received an extraordinary education. “I especially appreciated the mock trials and externships because they allowed me to use my practical skills in real time. It felt like I was already a lawyer as a student. Looking back, I didn’t know my exact path, but I know now that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Our family being able to authentically interact and effectively help our clients and their families is incredibly rewarding.”
For John, there was no question what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go after completing his undergrad at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He, too, attended William Mitchell—entering law school while Anthony was a 3L—and the two played intramural sports together during their shared year. John said, “I wanted to stay local and already knew so many people, including my mother and brother, who went to William Mitchell and were in the legal profession.”
John’s favorite experiences in law school had to do with criminal justice and being in the courtroom. Fittingly, he works as a public defender for Scott County in addition to being part of the family’s private practice. “The day I was sworn in, my dad told me that I had court on Tuesday,” John laughed.
As for the future, Mary wants to retire soon and spend more time with her six grandchildren (two from each of her children and their spouses) and plans to pass the torch to Anthony.
The Baqueros are Cornerstone Society members who have consecutively given to Mitchell Hamline for over 26 years. “I give out of deep gratitude,” said Mary. “I would not have been able to attend law school if William Mitchell didn’t provide access, and I want Mitchell Hamline to continue to provide access for others.”