Employer: O'Melveny & Myers
Title and Practice Area: Counsel, Antitrust

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law? The document work that frequently flows down to junior associates may seem unglamorous, but is vitally important, especially in antitrust cases. Key insights are more likely to come from grappling with the documents than from abstract brainstorming.

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice. [During the] AT&T/Time Warner merger trial, it was incredibly special to work with, and learn from, so many professionals at the top of their game. Everything from lead lawyer Dan Petrocelli's cross-examinations to the paralegal work was performed at a world-class level. And it was rewarding to see that work help the judge reach the right answer.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor, and what has he or she taught you? I was incredibly lucky to work closely with trial ace Chuck Diamond on a big case. Chuck taught me that courtroom performance is just the tip of the iceberg; the real work (and the real fun) is in the relentless preparation to build the case and marshal the record before trial begins.

Please share a brief key to your success. Devour the record and know the facts. A trial lawyer needs to see the forest and the trees.