Employer: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer
Practice Area: Partner, Life Sciences

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law? Try everything. I had planned to be a patent litigator—focusing on software. I had no idea life sciences transactions was a practice area, and I tried it only because a partner I respected asked me to. I love what I do and cannot imagine a different career path.

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice. Closing my first "first-chair" substantial transaction [of about $100 million] as a new counsel. [The firm] had never represented the client on transactional matters, but I convinced the relationship partner I could. After closing, the client referred me to his contacts; a significant portion of my practice has evolved out of that.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor, and what has he or she taught you? Steve Parker is my greatest lawyer mentor. Steve taught me to learn something from every person I meet; to remain calm, and that a negotiation can be collegial and even fun; and to do my best work but never to take the job too seriously.

Please share a brief key to your success. I care very much about the people with whom I work. I want our associates to feel valued and that their work is important. I want our clients to feel respected and to know we care as deeply about their projects as they do. These relationships are critical to success.