A man of many interests finds his harmony in practice of law
A lawyer. A tennis player. And a drummer.
The three identities are interwoven into Iker Diéguez, each role influencing and informing the others, disparate as they may seem.
“Being a lawyer, being a musician and being a tennis player – they may not necessarily seem to be connected, but they are,” he says. “Music relaxes me and makes me see things from a very different perspective. The way that you read music is similar to how you read an agreement. It has to be harmonic, it has to have a sequence, it has to have the right rhythm. And when something doesn’t make sense in an agreement, it’s similar to listening to a song and there is a wrong beat.”
He just as fluidly compares competing in tennis to practicing law.
“In tennis, you’re not just playing an opponent. You’re playing against yourself,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how much you train and practice, you’re always competing against yourself and following that inner voice that tells you it is not enough. It is a tough game. The lessons I learn on the tennis court often define how I act as a lawyer.”
The two passions are fully incorporated into Diéguez’s life. He plays tennis most days of the week, including competing on weekends in USTA-sanctioned leagues in Austin. And every Sunday, he and a neighbor who plays guitar get together to practice cover songs. Tennis and drumming bring Diéguez joy and are a return to the pursuits of his youth.
Born in Mexico City, Diéguez was raised in a blend of Spanish and Mexican culture. His paternal grandparents came to Mexico after fleeing the regime of Francisco Franco in Spain and brought with them the music and traditions of their country – from flamenco dancing to a love of wines, guitars, and the Gypsy Kings. His mother’s family, on the other hand, has deep roots in Mexico. His maternal grandfather played the bassoon for the Mexican Symphony Orchestra.
The family owns a lake house in Valle de Bravo, which is located on Lake Avándaro about 90 minutes southwest from Mexico City. Diéguez remembers with great fondness spending every other weekend on the waterfront property.
He recalls the routine of leaving on a Friday afternoon right after school. On Friday night, they would play dominoes, poker, or rummy. Early on Saturdays, they would go waterskiing, followed by lunch on the boat, and end the day with dinner at a restaurant. On Sunday mornings, they played tennis, followed by relaxing at the pool before packing and heading back to Mexico City.
“That’s where I got closer to my dad and learned many things from him. He was the glue that cemented the family,” says Diéguez. “We still own that lake house, and in memory of my father, I continued that same weekend tradition with my wife and kids for many years.”
The three identities are interwoven into Iker Diéguez, each role influencing and informing the others, disparate as they may seem.
“Being a lawyer, being a musician and being a tennis player – they may not necessarily seem to be connected, but they are,” he says. “Music relaxes me and makes me see things from a very different perspective. The way that you read music is similar to how you read an agreement. It has to be harmonic, it has to have a sequence, it has to have the right rhythm. And when something doesn’t make sense in an agreement, it’s similar to listening to a song and there is a wrong beat.”
He just as fluidly compares competing in tennis to practicing law.
“In tennis, you’re not just playing an opponent. You’re playing against yourself,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how much you train and practice, you’re always competing against yourself and following that inner voice that tells you it is not enough. It is a tough game. The lessons I learn on the tennis court often define how I act as a lawyer.”
The two passions are fully incorporated into Diéguez’s life. He plays tennis most days of the week, including competing on weekends in USTA-sanctioned leagues in Austin. And every Sunday, he and a neighbor who plays guitar get together to practice cover songs. Tennis and drumming bring Diéguez joy and are a return to the pursuits of his youth.
Born in Mexico City, Diéguez was raised in a blend of Spanish and Mexican culture. His paternal grandparents came to Mexico after fleeing the regime of Francisco Franco in Spain and brought with them the music and traditions of their country – from flamenco dancing to a love of wines, guitars, and the Gypsy Kings. His mother’s family, on the other hand, has deep roots in Mexico. His maternal grandfather played the bassoon for the Mexican Symphony Orchestra.
The family owns a lake house in Valle de Bravo, which is located on Lake Avándaro about 90 minutes southwest from Mexico City. Diéguez remembers with great fondness spending every other weekend on the waterfront property.
He recalls the routine of leaving on a Friday afternoon right after school. On Friday night, they would play dominoes, poker, or rummy. Early on Saturdays, they would go waterskiing, followed by lunch on the boat, and end the day with dinner at a restaurant. On Sunday mornings, they played tennis, followed by relaxing at the pool before packing and heading back to Mexico City.
“That’s where I got closer to my dad and learned many things from him. He was the glue that cemented the family,” says Diéguez. “We still own that lake house, and in memory of my father, I continued that same weekend tradition with my wife and kids for many years.”
Neneng Yannick
Neneng Law Office, Douala, Cameroon
Neneng Law Office, Douala, Cameroon
What are the top three items on your bucket list?
Spirituality, connecting with God. Career development. Marriage.
Spirituality, connecting with God. Career development. Marriage.
Coffee & Conversation
Monday, July 31st, 2023 at 10am EDT
Successfully Marketing Your Firm with Social Media
Brenda Stewart
Stewart Marketing & Consulting, South Carolina, United States
Monday, July 31st, 2023 at 10am EDT
Successfully Marketing Your Firm with Social Media
Brenda Stewart
Stewart Marketing & Consulting, South Carolina, United States
Cocktails & Conversation
Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Strategies for Disconnecting:
Managing Stress and Work/Life Balance
Nathan Meloon
Widerman Malek, P.L., Melbourne, Florida, United States
Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 at 4pm EDT
Strategies for Disconnecting:
Managing Stress and Work/Life Balance
Nathan Meloon
Widerman Malek, P.L., Melbourne, Florida, United States
If you are interested in being featured in a future edition of the Primerus™ Weekly, please contact Katie Bundyra at kbundyra@primerus.com.
Rest and Recharge
Exhaustion doesn’t just stem from the need for sleep. If you’re feeling worn down, consider the seven different types of rest that you may need to restore your energy level.
1. Physical. Certainly, our bodies need sleep, so if you’re physically exhausted, go to bed early.
2. Mental. If your thoughts are wandering, take a break, take deeps breaths, or just stare out the window for a bit. Scheduling breaks can help cut down on mental exhaustion.
3. Social. This seems impossible given that we’ve been isolated for a year and a half, but videoconferencing and FaceTiming is actually more taxing on our brains. Consider stepping away or limiting the number of people on those calls.
4. Creative. Brainstorming, researching, strategizing—these engage our creativity just as drawing a picture might. Consider reading a book or listening to music and leaving the creativity to someone else for a bit.
5. Emotional. Sometimes we need to offload our feelings to family, a trusted friend, or a counselor in order to rest and restore.
6. Sensory. Turn off the phone. Get away from the computer. Step away from the screens. Seek out silence.
7. Spiritual. Religious or not, we all need to feel connected. This can come in the form of getting out into nature, volunteering our time, or reading scripture or philosophical passages.
Next time you’re feeling tired, dig deeper to identify the type of rest that may best suit your needs.
This Wellness Tip was brought to you by the Quality of Life Subcommittee of the Primerus™ Quality Assurance Board and Featured Contributor Nicole Quintana. We also welcome your tips, which can be submitted to Paige Neirman at pneirman@primerus.com for publication consideration.
February 15-16, 2024
2024 PDI Transportation Seminar
Tampa, Florida
SAVE THE DATE!
2024 PDI Transportation Seminar
Tampa, Florida
SAVE THE DATE!
International Society of Primerus Law Firms
452 Ada Dr SE
Suite 300
Ada, MI 49301