My personal and professional experiences in Hanover and beyond necessitated self-assurance, the ability to speak persuasively and the development of strong, accurate instincts in reading the room. These are all particular areas of strength and competitive advantage for me.
My passion for trial work, strong advocacy skills and sharp intuition have grown deeper over decades since that first successful, memorable trial verdict being read into the record on a rainy Friday afternoon after 4 hours of deliberation, clearing my client to return to his family.
My career trajectory reflects a unique blend of public service, small and large law firm success in matters across the country and in-house corporate experience managing large scale, high-risk matters globally, as well as outside vendors and outside counsel spend.
My time as a well-respected campus leader in the 1980s set me on a firmly established path as an antiracism and anti-bias educator and activist.
I am a sought after speaker and presenter on substantive legal issues, legal career development and mentoring of attorneys, and social justice and equity issues affecting the communities where we live and work.
I would be delighted to speak with you about how I can put my considerable and varied skills to work for you.
Often, I have sat in courtrooms in the row reserved only for members of the bar and been confused, for criminal defendants by fellow lawyers showing up to meet their clients for the first time.
I have arrived at conference rooms across the country, carrying a trial bag, case files and the Rules of Civil Procedure, only to be advised by opposing counsel of the most accessible plug in the room so that I could plug in my stenographer equipment.
Before information was so readily accessible on the internet, I had opposing counsel in Virginia refuse to shake my hand when they met me and learned I was not white. I also fired an expert in Michigan for making violently racist, stereotypical comments about Black people, who protested that I “didn’t sound Black” when I explained why his services would not be needed.
The best response to these sorts of incidents is to win. Resoundingly. To be underestimated is a gift.