Conversations with Camila Milanes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Camila Milanes

Hi Camila, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Camila Milanes, and my journey has been anything but traditional. I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and moved to the United States with my family when I was seven. Like many families who immigrate to the United States, we arrived with little more than dreams and an unwavering belief that education was the key to opportunity. However, navigating a new country, a new language, and a school system that favored those with resources and support made that path far from easy.

I struggled academically for most of my early life. It wasn’t because I lacked ambition, but because the system wasn’t built for students like me; students whose parents couldn’t help with homework, who had to translate for their families, and who constantly felt the weight of being the first to figure it all out. I wasn’t the straight A student that most people expect when they think of someone in law school. In fact, I faced academic dismissal at one point. But my story is about perseverance, about refusing to let setbacks define me.

I found my second chance at community college, where I proved to myself that I was capable. I worked hard, transferred to San Diego State University, and set my sights on law school, not just to become an attorney, but to advocate for people like me, those who have been overlooked or underestimated. Today, I am a second year law student at California Western School of Law, balancing my studies with my passion for helping others.

Beyond law school, my biggest mission is mentorship. I know what it feels like to walk into a room and feel like you don’t belong. That’s why I started sharing my law school journey on TikTok not just the highlights, but the real, unfiltered struggles that come with being a first-generation Latina in this space. I wanted others to see that success isn’t reserved for people who had all the right resources from the start. It’s for those who are willing to fight for it, even when the odds are stacked against them.

That passion led me to co-found Lawtinas Exec., a program dedicated to helping first-generation Latino students navigate the law school admissions process. I saw firsthand how difficult it was to access information, mentorship, and financial resources, and I didn’t want others to feel as lost as I did. Through Lawtinas Exec., we provide step-by-step guidance, scholarship access, and mentorship opportunities because no one should have to go through this journey alone.

I also served my local community through my work with the Community Law Project (CLP), where I assisted underserved individuals with legal guidance on issues ranging from housing, employment and other issues affecting marginalized communities. It’s been one of the most humbling experiences, showing me the direct impact that legal knowledge can have on people’s lives.

If I’ve learned anything on this journey, it’s that success isn’t about how perfectly you start, it’s about how relentlessly you keep going. I’m still figuring things out, still learning, still growing. But if my story can inspire even one person to believe that they, too, can break barriers and carve out their own path, then I know I’m doing something right.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Growing up, financial hardship was a constant reality for my family. My parents worked multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I remember my mom and dad waking up before sunrise, taking on anything they could to provide for us. They relied on commission-based work, which meant stability was never guaranteed. I would go with them to the strawberry fields, passing out flyers to help them sell car insurance, because every single sale mattered.
Money was always a challenge, and that struggle didn’t end when I decided to pursue higher education. As a first-generation student, I didn’t just have to figure out how to navigate the academic system, I had to find ways to afford it. The LSAT alone was a major hurdle. I had to take it three times, and each attempt came with costs that my parents simply couldn’t cover. I remember having to ask family members to pitch in, scraping together the funds just to have another shot at improving my score.
These challenges shaped me. They gave me the resilience to keep going, the perspective to appreciate every milestone, and the drive to help others who are walking a similar path. That’s why I share my journey because I know there are so many students out there who are just as capable but are simply facing obstacles they were never prepared for.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My journey has never followed a conventional path, if anything, an unconventional lifestyle seems to follow me. I’ve somehow found myself balancing three worlds at once: law student, content creator, and business founder. Each of these roles has shaped me in different ways, but at the core of everything I do is execution, resilience, and a deep sense of community.
I didn’t wait for opportunities to come to me,I created them. When I saw the lack of resources for first-generation students navigating law school, I started sharing my journey online. What started as a way to document my struggles turned into a platform that has helped thousands of students feel seen, understood, and empowered. That experience taught me that visibility and representation matter, and that by simply showing up as my most authentic self, I could create real change.
That mindset also led me to co-found Lawtinas Exec., I saw the power of mentorship, the way a single conversation or piece of advice could change someone’s trajectory, and I knew I had to build something bigger than myself. Through this work, I’ve been able to open doors not just for myself, but for others who, like me, didn’t always know where to start.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve never compromised who I am to fit into any of these spaces. The legal world often feels rigid, exclusive, and intimidating, but I’ve learned that staying true to my morals, my attitude, and my purpose is what continues to open doors. I lead with empathy, knowing firsthand what it’s like to struggle and to feel like you don’t belong. I make decisions based on community, because I know I didn’t get here alone. And I approach every challenge with the same resilience that got me through every obstacle in my life.
At the end of the day, what sets me apart is that I’m not just following a blueprint, I’m truly just creating my own.

Any big plans?
Right now, my focus is on pouring into my business and expanding my content creation across different platforms while also making the most of my academic journey. This law degree isn’t just for me it’s for my community, for those who never saw themselves in these spaces, and for the people who have supported me along the way.
I won’t lie, there are times when I resent the law school environment. It can feel negative, exhausting, and at odds with the creativity and freedom I find in other aspects of my life. But at the same time, I recognize that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for law school, and I know the doors this education will open, not just for me, but for others like me.
As for what’s next, I’m excited to see what opportunities and ideas come my way. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the best things happen when I trust my gut and follow what feels right. And right now, that means continuing to grow, create, and build something bigger than myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lawtinas-exec.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camisgaze?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CamilaMilanes
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@camilamilanes?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc