ABOUT THE ATTORNEY
The Law Firm opened its door in 1982, in the smallest office space at the former 1 World Trade Center. It had no windows and it measured only about 7 feet by 10 feet.
Emil Deguzman, the founder, is a first-generation Immigrant from the Philippines. He graduated with a J.D. from the University of the Philippines, at the age of 21.
He practiced for 7 years with the Office of William H. Quasha, the only U.S. educated American lawyer practicing in the Philippines.
Moving to Tokyo, Japan, Emil graduated from the Sophia University with a degree of Masters in Business Administration, major in International Business while working as a Legal Consultant at Fuji – Xerox. He immigrated to the U.S, in 1981 with his wife, Emma Ruth Diaz, who is currently working on her Doctorate in Ministry at the Union Theological Seminary - Columbia University. Shortly after his arrival in the U.S., Emil was admitted to the New York Bar. Like most immigrants, eager to experience the American Dream, Emil worked hard to obtain his Master of Laws degree at the New York University in 1989, while his solo Law Practice is getting off the ground.
Emil and Emma adopted 2 children from birth. The eldest is Filipino-Chinese who is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The girl is Korean, pursuing her MD-PHD at the Emory University.
Emil is an Ordained Minister under the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also ordained by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Philippines.