Meet 2026 Summer Associate Yutsil Hernandez Diaz

Seven law students are putting their skills to work this summer at Ward and Smith, gaining real-world legal experience across all five of our offices as part of the 2026 Summer Associate Program. Get to know each of them in our “Meet the Summer Associate” series.

Next in the series is Yutsil Hernandez Diaz:

Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC

School: Wake Forest University School of Law, 1L

Would you like to share something about your family?
I’m the proud daughter of immigrants, and the oldest of three siblings. They, along with my niece, are the reason I do everything I do. They also happen to be the people I love spending time with the most!

What do you like to do in your downtime when you’re not studying?
I love going for long walks with my dog. I also love getting a coffee, throwing on my headphones, and spending an afternoon at a thrift store.

What is your favorite movie?
The Devil Wears Prada.

What is your favorite book?
Impossible to pick, but if I must: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

What is your favorite food?
A good, hearty, and cozy pasta.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Just about anywhere on the NC coast with my family!

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
A cabin in the fjords in northern Norway!

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you pursue?
I would be a fashion designer. I really do believe that fashion is art that we get to live our lives in!

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
When I graduated high school, I wanted to pursue a degree in music education, which feels worlds apart from what I am doing now.

Why do you want to be an attorney?
My experiences in the service industry made me curious about the law, and I’d like to help businesses of all sizes navigate complex legal challenges and either comply with or be protected by the law when building their brands.

What sparked your interest in law?
In 2021, while I was the General Manager at a bakery, we got sued for trademark infringement. I was already sort of interested in law at that point, but navigating this situation really solidified that this is what I wanted to do.

What is the hardest part of law school?
I spent a decade in the service industry before law school. Law school feels like learning a new language and the acclimation has been the biggest challenge for me so far.

What are you most excited to learn during your time here at Ward and Smith?
Ward and Smith has a variety of practice areas that are interesting to me. I am looking forward to being exposed to what practice will look like and receiving feedback as I learn. Additionally, I look forward to building great relationships and making the most out of this summer!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself barred, practicing, and enjoying my life as a lifelong learner as an attorney.

What’s the best advice someone has given you?
Always, always be yourself.

Describe yourself in three words.
Kind, disciplined, resilient.

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
My thrifting skills. It’s truly a creative outlet for me — I have found some gems and I’m always happy to impart wisdom to people who want to get into thrifting!

Western or Eastern barbecue? And, why?
Eastern. I emphatically love a vinegar-based sauce.

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would the slogan be?
Find a way. Break the mold. Be yourself.