Ms. Belen Olmedo Guerra™ is a strong advocate and litigator. As an experienced female criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona, she has handled hundreds of felony cases including sexual crimes, child abuse and other Dangerous Crimes Against Children, prostitution, and homicides. She is extremely successful in plea negotiations and plea proposals. A great number of her cases included mental health issues, and some led to Guilty Except Insane defenses or dismissals. She works very closely with expert witnesses such as medical examiners, toxicologists, accident reconstructionists, computer and audio forensic experts, forensic mechanics, neuropsychologists, pediatric forensic gynecologists, mitigation specialists, and investigators.
Prior to attending law school, Belen earned her Master's in Elementary Education and taught for eight years in a Title I school in the Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona. She has an excellent understanding of school records, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), and accommodations for learning disabilities and mental health issues. During law school, Belen clerked for a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge in Phoenix, interned at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, volunteered at the Elim House—a Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter, and was the president of the Family Law Association. Belen earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona with a major in Cultural Anthropology. While earning her bachelor's, she worked as a counselor advocate for victims of domestic violence for the Brewster Center, and also was the Communities of Color Program Director in an advocacy non-profit in Minnesota. She strongly believes in community involvement and in the past served on the ArtsReach Board of Directors and Advisory Council, volunteered for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Team in Training and the International Rescue Committee. She's a member of the Arizona State Bar, United States District Court District of Arizona, and a member of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- How Belen became a highly respected criminal defense attorney after immigrating and raising a family.
- Why she focuses on major felonies like homicide, sexual crimes, and dangerous crimes against children.
- How understanding a client's root problems can change the trajectory of their criminal case.
- Why strong plea negotiations and proposals often lead to dismissals or Guilty Except Insane defenses.
- How she works closely with medical examiners, forensic experts, and mitigation specialists to build a defense.
- Why Belen's teaching background helps her interpret school records, IEPs, and learning accommodations in cases.
- How her advocacy for domestic violence victims and immigrant communities shaped her legal perspective.
- Why community involvement and service remain central to her legal practice and personal mission.
- That using your power for the good of others is the key takeaway from her journey.
about the show
Women In Power is an entrepreneur TV series featuring female entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, and industry leaders who are building companies, leading teams, and creating impact in their industries.
Each episode gives viewers a closer look at the real stories behind these women’s success, including the challenges they faced, the decisions that shaped them, and the leadership lessons they learned along the way. The series highlights women who have built businesses, broken barriers, grown brands, and created opportunities for others through their work.
Women In Power was created to spotlight female business leaders whose stories deserve to be seen and heard. From early setbacks to major breakthroughs, each episode shows the journey behind the title, the business, and the public success.
For viewers, the show offers inspiration, practical insight, and a deeper look at what it takes for women to lead, grow, and succeed in today’s business world. For featured guests, it provides a platform to share their story, build authority, and inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs and leaders.
