Kiara Paola Anguiano

Kiara Anguiano is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group. Prior to joining the firm as an attorney, Kiara worked as a Summer Associate with Gentry Locke before graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law. While in law school, Kiara worked as a Legal Intern for the Community Tax Law Project in Richmond. She was also the founder of the Latin American and Hispanic Law Organization, an executive member of the Trial Advocacy Board, and a member of the Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board. Kiara is a native Spanish speaker.

A quick handshake

•You’re originally from Southern California. What brought you to Virginia?

I came to Virginia after being recruited by the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to play water polo. What really drew me in was that VMI isn’t an ordinary college-its military structure, strong sense of discipline, and tight-knit community stood out to me. It offered the chance to keep competing in water polo at a high level while also challenging myself academically and personally in a way that a traditional campus couldn’t.

Over my time there, I grew to genuinely love Virginia. The people, the pace of life, and the sense of history all made a strong impression on me, and by the time I graduated, I knew I wasn’t ready to leave. That connection to the state is ultimately what persuaded me to stay in Virginia for law school.

•It’s interesting you’ve been to over 5 truck and tractor pulls. What are those like?

Truck and tractor pulls are incredible to watch. The idea is simple but thrilling-vehicles hook up to a heavy sled and pull it down a dirt track, and the goal is to see who can drag it the farthest before their power or traction gives out. As the sled moves, its weight shifts forward, creating more resistance and making the pull progressively harder.

There are lots of different classes, ranging from street-legal trucks to highly modified machines built specifically for pulling. Each class has its own rules and weight limits, so you get a wide variety of engines, setups, and pulling styles. Some trucks rely on raw horsepower, while others focus on torque and grip. What makes the events so exciting is the combination of roaring engines, flying dirt, and the suspense of watching a truck fight for every extra foot.

Experience

•Drafted pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses. •Conducted legal research, analyzed facts, and synthesized findings into memoranda. •Translated documents into Spanish.

Library

•Gentry Locke Adds Five New Associates to the Firm News Dec 2025