By Gallagher Sharp LLPPartner
Maritime, Trucking & General Litigation
Toledo & Detroit Offices
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What drew you to pursue a career in law and motivated you to become a litigation attorney?
I didn’t grow up around any lawyers, as I was raised in a rural, blue-collar family. As far back as I can remember, I loved to read, write, and argue – so perhaps the litigation field was a natural fit for me. When I entered college, I was interested in a journalism position, but I quickly realized that the journalism profession was going through a massive upheaval in the transition between print and digital media. Law seemed like a great fit for my skill set.
Once I enrolled in law school, I had a lot of exposure to the litigation field and clerked at a civil defense firm for two years during school. Jobs were hard to find during the 2008 recession, but ultimately, I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. I specialize in transportation cases, so sometimes my work requires me to get my hands dirty, and I really enjoy getting on a ship or inspecting a tractor-trailer. This job has taken me to a lot of interesting places that I could have never envisioned when I started law school.
As a woman in the legal field, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome gender barriers?
The legal field has always been traditionally male-dominated. Thankfully, the women who came before me had done a lot of the heavy-lifting, establishing women lawyers as competent, formidable advocates. Still, every woman in the field has their own stories of inequality or microaggressions. For me, I was often mistaken for the court reporter at depositions. Male colleagues would attempt to saddle me with administrative tasks because I was “better at organizing.” A senior partner once told me that it would be okay if I started a family as long as I “cleared it with [him] first.”
Even small things like my outfits, I choose them carefully to ensure that I am making the best appearance to advocate for my clients. I don’t think my male colleagues spend much time worrying about their outfits, other than ensuring their suits are cleaned. We have to be much more thoughtful in how we present ourselves, and confidence really plays a big part in overcoming those barriers.
What case or legal victory from your career has been the most meaningful or impactful for you?
I defend both institutional clients and clients that have no experience with the legal system. I handled a case for a homeowner, who essentially was only sued because he had the misfortune of being the only person with insurance coverage for this particular incident. I was able to get the case dismissed on a dispositive motion, and then successfully upheld that decision in the Court of Appeals. My client was extremely relieved to have the case dismissed on legal grounds so that he would not have to go through the stress of trial. In this job, it’s easy to forget how stressful the litigation process can be for people who don’t routinely go through it, and there’s nothing like the feeling of getting your client the “win”.
What advice would you give to young women considering pursuing a career in litigation or law?
While self-doubt is a normal part of being a young attorney, do not let it consume you. Present confidently. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to tell someone that you will look into it and get back to them. Being direct and honest with your clients, your colleagues, the Court, and opposing counsel will do wonders for your reputation and your future success.
How do you think the landscape has changed for women attorneys during your career, and what future changes would you still like to see?
There has certainly been an influx of women lawyers, litigators, and judges in the past decade, and as a result, there have been a lot of positive changes in the profession. I have young children, and I have never had an issue obtaining extensions to cover my maternity leave. Judges are more understanding now that lawyers have a life outside of the office, and sometimes personal obligations (children, elderly parents, personal health) conflict with our professional plans. Since COVID, it has been easier to work from anywhere and attend things remotely. I believe these are all really positive changes, and I hope the profession continues to evolve, providing more flexibility – and accessibility – for everyone.