Tell us about your biggest client wins this year. For most lawyers, "wins" are synonymous with big recoveries. But to reach those outcomes, I am reminded time and again of a crucial lesson I learned early in my career: we need to make good law by selecting the right issues to raise and the right time to raise them. Wins I am most proud of this year include beating motions to dismiss claims against companies responsible for skyrocketing prescription drug prices, successfully challenging attempts to hide damaging documents behind claims of privilege, and overcoming motions to compel secret proceedings in arbitration.

What's the best lesson you learned as a young lawyer? One lesson I keep learning is to take responsibility for my own success and my own happiness, in law and in life.

What's been the most significant change in your practice area and how have you adjusted? There are more women in leadership roles—on the merits. We've risen to the challenge by continuously improving our skills.

Share an interesting fact about your firm that few know. The firm doesn't do team-building. We bond over the challenges inherent in complex litigation, and then get out and live.

Dena Sharp is a partner at Girard Sharp, where she focuses on antitrust and complex litigation.