What was your route to the top? My interest in the legal profession came while working at Travelers Insurance Co., among a team of elite attorneys in complex litigation. I attended law school in the evening, while working full time at Travelers. This experience truly sharpened my time-management skills that all attorneys know is critical. After obtaining my law license in CT & NY, I worked in private practice with a focus on general defense litigation. Exposure to a wide variety of cases early on in my career helped me tune into the areas of practice that I enjoyed the most. I later practiced with a boutique firm, focused exclusively on representing policyholders in insurance coverage litigation. Working for policyholders provided me with valuable insight into the practical business operations of many of my clients. In 2013, I was presented with the opportunity to serve as the first in-house attorney at Starion Energy. In my role as General Counsel, I have worked closely with various business groups within the company and have found it extremely rewarding to focus my attention on a single client. You are able to advise your client with knowledge of their overall business strategies and goals in mind, which vital to giving your client not only sound legal advice, but advice that is practical and beneficial to their needs.

What keeps you up at night? (i.e. What are your biggest business-related concerns?) There has been an enormous amount of regulatory change and litigation within our industry over the past several years. These challenges and external threats, have required companies to keep their figure on the pulse of so many evolving standards in order to stay compliant and competitive. Given that my company is operating in various jurisdictions around the country, it critically important that I have resources available to me, through trade associations and local counsel relationships that I can trust to provide me with up-to-date and accurate information.

What is the best leadership advice you provided, or received, and why do you think it was effective? Even if you are an “expert” in your field, there is always so much to learn. “You aren't learning anything when you're talking” is a quote from Lydon B. Johnson. Rocky Balboa also had a similar quote, if you are more of a Rocky fan. Whether you choose to take the presidential or the movie quote, it is sound advice. I am only a strong advocate for my client when I know what each and every outcome means to them. For each and every legal question or strategy decision that is presented to me, I must first begin my analysis by asking the appropriate questions and then truly absorbing the responses provided by my client. This serves two purposes, when the legal answer is provided or strategy is determined, not only do I know how my company arrived at that point, but my client does too. Having a client that is truly vested in the legal decisions and strategies implemented by me or outside counsel is paramount.