Gianni Mendes Toniutti: Inspiration and the Ideal Guide for Those Looking toMove to the United States

From Bologna to Miami via New York: lawyer Gianni Mendes shares his story and
advises those looking to move to the United States.

“Never stop dreaming and always do what makes you happy… because there’s only
one life!” This is the motto of Gianni Mendes Toniutti, co-founder of TLRT, a
renowned Italian American law firm. Mendes’s story is a fascinating and successful
one, one that can serve as inspiration for those looking to make the leap to America,
as well as for those already living in the US and aiming to establish themselves
professionally.

Mendes, who earned his law degree from the University of Bologna in 2002, faced
with difficulties finding a good job in Italy, decided to pursue a master’s degree in
Miami, with the intention of returning to Italy. But things turned out differently than
Mendes himself told us: “We’re happy in Italy. We don’t leave to escape our country,
unlike citizens of other countries. We came to America to gain experience and
return. That’s how it was for me, too. Then one thing led to another. At the end of my
master’s degree, I decided to take the state bar exam in New York. I passed, and at
that point, having become a lawyer in New York, I stayed. And 20 years have
passed, one step at a time.”

It all started with the Bologna-Miami-New York axis, but what was your first
job, actually? “My first work experience was in California. It wasn’t easy to find
work. When I finished my master’s degree and took the state exam in New York, I
thought I’d be showered with offers. I struggled a lot. Then, by a bit of luck, after I put
out my resume, this California lawyer contacted me because he was looking for an
Italian-speaking lawyer for a large case. I seized the opportunity and got started right
away.”

You’re based in Miami. How would you describe your twenty-year experience?
“Very positive. We opened a law firm with my colleagues, a young environment,
which is complicated in Italy where these jobs are passed down from father to son.
America is not a land of plenty, but it offers opportunities, but only if you’re good. The
competition is very high; people come from all over the world to try. But it all depends
on meritocracy. You can achieve good results. There are many exceptional
American lawyers. We are Italian, and we thought we’d offer something different. We
can offer a service that the giant American law firms don’t. So, we decided to offer
legal services primarily to Italians. We are highly recognized because we were
among the first to create a firm of this kind. We’ve had the opportunity to open offices
in various cities and have offices in Italy, which has set us apart from other firms.
Most of our clients are investors who want to open businesses in the United States.
It’s a different world here, and it’s easy to get lost or ripped off. By speaking the
same language as our clients, they get an extra service. We also have many clients
in the entertainment and art fields. for example, and sports. The United States makes it easy for you to enter the United States, and it pays them to have top people
in their field. We specialize in this and have many clients including musicians, actors,
and athletes.”

There are those who think they can do it alone, without legal help to invest and
move to America: “Anyone who thinks like that is going to get a serious blow to the
head. Italy is very different from the United States when it comes to doing business
and starting a business. 70-80% of Italian restaurateurs in Miami have been through
our firm. Most restaurateurs already know everything, thinking that in America they
don’t know how to eat it. But people in America don’t think like Italians. In the
restaurant business, Italians go out to eat because they want to eat well. Here,
people go out for an experience, to have a night out. Whether the food is good or not
is secondary. That’s why big groups work. Having a different vision, someone who
explains how the business works here, you can save a lot and get fewer blows to the
head. The cultural difference between Italians and Americans is clear.”

What’s the biggest mistake Italians make when they want to move to America:
“They confuse business with fun. This applies to cities like New York, Los Angeles,
and Miami. They’re fascinated by the cities, but the most successful are those who
chose less flashy cities; they focus on business, not on the lights and fun. It’s easy to
blow up the money you’ve made.”

When you began your adventure in America, was there anything you wouldn’t
do again? “I’m glad I didn’t lose hope. When I became a lawyer in New York, I
thought I’d made it. I thought I’d work at the best firm. I sent out lots of resumes, but
no one ever responded. I was about to give up everything, thinking about returning to
Italy. But someone on the other side of the United States found me, and I’m still here.
It’s important not to lose hope. When you’re young, you think you’ve made it, but in
reality, you’re leaving. It’s only the beginning. A career is full of ups and downs, and
mine was too. The important thing is to keep going, stay up-to-date, and always
study, and never give up. Here, you’re given opportunities. The United States isn’t a
land of plenty. If you don’t arrive here prepared, with clear ideas, money doesn’t
grow on trees. But for people who want to get started, to start their own business, the
United States won’t cut your legs off. In Italy, the bureaucracy cuts your legs off, but
here, if you want to start a business, you just pick up and go.”

Besides being a lawyer, you’re also a musician: “Yes, I’ve always loved music
since I was little, and I’ve never stopped cultivating this passion. I’m a lawyer, but
that doesn’t stop me from pursuing my passions. In recent years, my law practice
has taken priority. At first, everything was complicated. I played in theaters; I toured
in France and Brazil. I was a professional. It took me eight years to graduate
because I pursued these two passions. Then my law practice took priority, but I didn’t
give up my passion. I continued recording my songs, and I enjoyed the satisfaction of doing so. It’s satisfaction that work doesn’t give you, which is why I always say,
‘Never stop dreaming.'”

What does this quote mean to you now that you’re an established lawyer: “The
moment a person thinks they’ve arrived, they’re finished. You must always keep
fighting for something, seeking new interests, otherwise life becomes monotonous.
It’s important to find the energy to pursue passions and interests, whatever they may
be. The moment you stop dreaming, you also stop living.”

What are your professional goals in the next 5-10 years? “I’d like to continue
growing the firm. We have offices in New York, Miami, and Orlando. In Italy, we have
offices in Naples and Milan. The firm is highly recognized in our niche. You can’t
stop; you have to keep growing professionally and, at a certain point, slow down and
hand over the reins to someone else.”

What advice would you give to an Italian who wants to move and succeed in
the United States? “The first piece of advice I can give is to give it a try. Sometimes
people think they’re too old, but that’s not the case. Life is long. Let’s not think that
you can just come here as a kid. You need to dive in, have a sensible plan, think
carefully about what you want to do, without overdoing it, otherwise you’ll end up with
nothing. Coming to the United States, whether you’re a young person or an investor,
has so many opportunities. You need to come with a plan, not an adventure. Then
try to understand what you can offer that an American doesn’t. If someone who
works with Italy arrives, the plus is having these relationships. Those who want to
move must understand how to differentiate themselves from the rest and have a
clear plan. Only in this way can you succeed in the United States.”