Even as a young child growing up in Argentina, there were clear signs Claudia Costa would someday become a successful litigator. Feisty and inquisitive, she simply seemed born for the role.

Born in Rafaela, but growing up in Rosario, the same Argentinian city from which global soccer superstar Lionel Messi hails, Claudia was seven when her parents decided to move the family to the United States, motivated by dreams of a better life.

Looking back, it’s safe to say those dreams were realized.

The Costa’s son went on to become a successful surgeon and Claudia — now a Manhattan-based partner in Goldberg Segalla’s Employment and Labor practice group — became a highly accomplished litigator and respected thought leader in her field.

“When I was younger, I was always very outgoing and argumentative, some would say. I was very drawn to TV shows and the way they portrayed the law. That was very appealing to me. By the time I graduated from high school, my yearbook said, ‘Future Ambition: Attorney,’” Claudia recalled. “The profession afforded me the opportunity to get in there and fight and learn about new people and new businesses. So, the whole aspect of practicing law, particularly from a litigation point of view, was very appealing.”

Serendipitously, perhaps, Claudia found herself in the right place at the right time when she started her career in 1989. Employment and Labor law was an area just beginning to experience tremendous growth. Many of the laws and regulations that govern employment today did not exist or were just beginning to take shape and the landscape for employers was changing fast. Claudia was representing public and private companies, counseling them on a variety of legal aspects. It soon became apparent to businesses that employment law was an area that deserved their full attention. With the already-established trust they had in her, employers were no longer only tapping Claudia for her counsel on litigation. They also began to seek her guidance on the challenges with which they were confronted on a day-to-day basis.

“What keeps me going in this area is the fact that every year there’s a whole new set of laws and it varies from state to state, which is very challenging. And I like that,” said Claudia. “I also like helping the clients. We have clients from all sorts of different markets, from small businesses to very large businesses. I like that my clients turn to me for help, for guidance, for advice. The ability to help them is what keeps me going.”

Claudia said one area that employers must pay close attention to now is the ever-evolving terrain of Artificial Intelligence. Increasingly, jurisdictions are putting into place regulations and laws regarding the use of AI — specifically in how it is used in the interviewing and hiring process, how it is used by human resource departments and the privacy issues that surround the technology.

“As technology advances, you are going to see more situations arise in regard to what employers are allowed to do” when it comes to the use of AI, said Claudia. “We constantly see new regulations and new rules depending on the jurisdiction. And the everyday challenge to every employer, regardless of where they are, is that employment law changes quickly. So, it’s really important that companies and employers have counsel who are up to date on what’s happening, especially in their jurisdiction, because what is going on in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut is not necessarily the same as what might be going on in the Southwest or Southeast or in California.”

The differences in regulations and legislation from state to state is not limited only to AI. State-to-state dissimilarity — regarding everything from laws to court systems to business environments — essentially defines the Employment and Labor Law arena, making it important for employers to have the most qualified attorneys looking out for their interests and providing counsel.

“Employers really have to be on their toes,” said Claudia. “One of the key things that I try to do is communicate as much as I can so that clients know I am here to defend them. I am their attorney. I have huge ‘mama bear’ instincts. So, I am here to defend them — hard. And along that line, I am here to sit and listen to what they have to say and learn about their business. There are reasons why businesses make decisions internally. You need to learn about those decisions and why a company acts the way it does. Every industry has different reasons for why they do things. When you start developing a rapport and understanding from where the client is coming and being there for the client — and when they realize that you are responsive, that you are there for them no matter what — that goes a long way in developing trust.”

Having ‘mama bear’ instincts, said Claudia, not only means protecting your client in court and defending them vigorously. It also involves counseling them on the directions in which a case may go and why you feel one direction may be a better option than, for example, aggressively pursuing a defense or continuing litigation that will last several years.

The fact that Claudia possesses such strong, self-proclaimed ‘mama bear’ instincts is, perhaps, no surprise given that she considers her own mother to be the strongest influence in her career.

“Besides learning from her work ethic and her personal ethics, I learned how to treat people. I love her dearly. She worked really, really hard. And she’s 83 now, and she continues to work,” said Claudia. “When we came to this country with only a few dollars in our pockets, I saw her get up every day and work really, really hard. And I model myself after her. There have been times when I have been sick and going to work and she would say to me, ‘What are you doing? You’re sick. You have a fever. You should be home.’ And I remind her of the times that when I was younger, how I saw her get up and go to work even sicker. That hard work has been instilled in me since I was very, very little.”

The lessons Claudia learned from her mother are lessons she now passes on to younger attorneys.

“‘Always work hard,’” she said of the advice she gives. “You have to work hard because you will always be remembered for what you did for a client. Treat everyone well and be respectful and do your job with integrity because your reputation is everything. Litigation is rough. What is routine to us is not routine to our clients. Litigation is life changing. You need to be there for the client. They’re relying on you. They need answers from you. So, work hard, be responsive, and be kind. Just treat everyone kindly.”

Responsiveness to clients, said Claudia, is a characteristic that she believes sets Goldberg Segalla apart from other firms.

“There’s a collaborative effort here. The attorneys and personnel all work together and are here to help. It’s a team. And that is very helpful for clients. If I get a phone call and it’s something that is not in my area, then I can say, ‘I’ve got someone who’s just the person for you.’ I know I can turn to people in the firm, and they’ll be there to help. And as far as technology, the firm is on the cutting edge of technology. I’m really, really impressed by that and the resources we have to ensure that we are providing the best work product for clients and to the courts. The firm is truly on the cutting edge.”

Now into her fourth decade of her career, Claudia’s passion for the profession hasn’t waned.

“I love practicing law. I really, really do. And I’ve been told on many occasions that it’s quite evident when I speak to people about what I do that I love it. As a Hispanic female, I think it is an excellent profession, one in which you can advance,” said Claudia. “When I first started, there weren’t as many Hispanic attorneys as there are now. There wasn’t as many women, either,” she added. “I think that it has been very, very helpful to the Hispanic community, that more and more Hispanics are practicing law because it is helpful to Hispanic people who do not understand the process, have never been involved in such a process, or don’t yet have a full grasp of all legal terms or the language. Even though they may very well speak English, sometimes they just want to speak to you in Spanish. It gives them a sense of comfort; they know they can relate to you. And that’s one more reason they can turn to you and trust you. The Hispanic community in this country has grown tremendously. So, there’s a need and I’m glad to be a part of it.

“I love being a litigator. I left court yesterday and I called my mother about something that had occurred. And she’s like, ‘You really, really love this stuff.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, the client is thrilled. We got this great result.’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, you really like it.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, they were happy. And that makes me happy.’”