By Gallagher Sharp LLPPartner | Compliance Officer
Professional Liability & General Litigation
Cleveland Office
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What drew you to pursue a career in law and motivated you to become a litigation attorney?
My path to a career in law was a bit unconventional, as I didn’t make the decision to go to law school until I was in my thirties and already had two young children. While I enjoyed a successful career in real estate, I wanted and needed to do something more challenging and fulfilling professionally. As my interest in the law grew, I became captivated by the idea of litigation – being able to zealously represent clients, unravel the facts of disputes, and argue cases in court. I was drawn to the raw intellectualism of it, but also the chance to directly impact people’s lives in meaningful ways. After family discussions and soul-searching, I decided to take the plunge and apply to law school when my youngest was 2 years old. Becoming a litigation attorney has been immensely rewarding, but it’s also an incredibly demanding job that requires careful balancing of work and personal life. It is not always easy juggling long hours, the stress of high-stakes cases, and family responsibilities. But you learn to prioritize ruthlessly and set boundaries. My family has seen firsthand how hard I work, but also how enriching and fulfilling this career can be.
As a woman in the legal field, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome gender barriers?
As a woman in the legal field, I’ve faced challenges and gender barriers over the years. When I started law school in my 30s with two small kids I faced an undercurrent of skepticism from some family, friends, professors, and peers about whether I could really “have it all” – succeeding in this demanding profession while also being present with my family. Over the years I have had to deal with occasional condescending comments or attitudes from opposing counsel. Rather than let it get under my skin, I use it as motivation to do better, be more confident, and prove the naysayers wrong.
What case or legal victory from your career has been the most meaningful or impactful for you?
Throughout my career as a litigation attorney, there have been many hard-fought cases and victories. However, one of my first cases stands out. Early in my career I defended a legal malpractice case involving an attorney who had been sued in his home jurisdiction. The trial was high stakes for my client personally because his professional reputation and livelihood was on the line. The defense verdict we received was impactful to me because I knew that we made a difference in the client’s life. In the end, prevailing at trial and clearing my client’s name made the challenge that much more meaningful and strengthened my appreciation for just how high the stakes are for clients putting their trust in my counsel.
What advice would you give to young women considering pursuing a career in litigation or law?
First, go into it with your eyes wide open about the challenges, but don’t let them dissuade you. The legal profession, especially on the litigation side, is extremely demanding in terms of the workload, stress, and adversarial nature of litigation itself. It can be an emotional and mental grind. But don’t be deterred – where there are challenges, there are also great opportunities. It’s also important to find a workplace that supports your needs—both professionally and personally—and where you can find role models to help you through this journey.
How do you think the landscape has changed for women attorneys during your career, and what future changes would you still like to see?
I’ve witnessed significant positive changes in terms of opportunities and advancement for women in the legal field. In the past, pathways to making partner and getting promoted to positions of leadership were very limited for women. The higher up you looked in the legal ranks, the fewer females you saw. Fortunately, that culture appears to be shifting. Firms increasingly recognize the importance of recruiting, retaining, and promoting female talent. My hope is that the legal industry continues working hard to dismantle remnants of gender bias, discrimination, or penalizing women for also wanting families. We need more allies – both male and female – taking active roles in sponsoring, mentoring, and advocating for equitable policies and promoting women into top roles.