Spotlight Richard Diaz | Disability Rights California

Senior Attorney Richard Diaz, with 7.5 years of service at the Disability Rights California (DRC), primarily investigates issues at the intersection of immigration and disability in facilities across California, cherishing the positive impact of their work on people's lives and enjoying the supportive environment and work-life balance provided at DRC.

Mission, Vision, Values

Richard Diaz

Senior Attorney

“I see how our work actually affects people's lives and improves their lives.” - Richard

How many years have you worked for DRC?

7.5 years, as of early 2023.

What do you do in your current role?

In my current role, I'm a senior attorney in the Investigations Unit. Our main goal is to investigate abuse and neglect of people in the community, or it could be in facilities throughout California.

So, my specific focus has been on immigration and disability. A lot of my work has to do with monitoring and investigations of places where those things (disability and immigration) intersect, so that has been in immigration detention facilities or children's detention facilities throughout California.

What is the most recent show/movie/book you've watched or read?

We watched the show Wednesday, we binged it and I thought it was really good, I really like Tim Burton.

What keeps you at DRC?

I've stayed because I see how important the work is. I see how our work actually affects people's lives and improves their lives.

What is something unique about DRC that you haven’t experienced at a previous job?

In the IU (Investigations Unit) we’re a group that gets along really well. We’re a very supportive group where we work really well together.

I feel a little bit more comfortable and confident in the work I’m doing and being able to try and seek out new projects. It’s been a good work life balance.

Fun Fact

I’m a really big soccer fan. I played soccer in college, I played for Georgetown University, I was a defender, and that was fun. I’m still a huge soccer fan. My dad's from Argentina, so the World Cup Argentina win was awesome. My favorite club team is in Argentina, they're called Boca Juniors they’re a team from Buenos Aires.

If you could tell your 13-year-old self one thing, what would it be?

I would say be ready. There’s going to be ups and downs in your life and to be prepared. And to not give up. To not give up on things that you have passion for.

How would your friends and family describe you?

People say that I get along with people pretty well, so I guess I’m pretty friendly, and relatable.

How do you like to spend your time when you aren’t working?

We were able to buy this fixer upper house so all my spare time, I would say, is doing renovation type things to our house, which has been stressful but also fun to see when things get done. My dad is very handy, and he knows little about construction, so he's been really helpful.

I would say our style is modern. We like plants so we have a lot of green and earthy tones.