Tell us about your biggest client wins this year. Filed, litigated and settled the first successful fishing boat slavery case in the world. I represented two Indonesian men who alleged they were trafficked onto a commercial fishing vessel and held in forced labor. They escaped when the boat docked at Fisherman's Wharf. Slavery on fishing boats is pervasive and poses difficult jurisdictional issues.

In addition to damages for the survivors, the settlement also requires that the captain provide a code of conduct and know-your-rights handout to all future crew—a model for the industry.

What's the best lesson you learned as a young lawyer? Be creative and tenacious. Also, have a sense of humor.

What's been the most significant change in your practice area and how have you adjusted? There's been a sea change in jurisdiction over human rights abuses, and lawyers have had to adapt.

Share an interesting fact about your firm that few know. [I'm] so proud that I won this award alongside Sharon Robertson, whom I helped hire over a decade ago.

Agnieszka Fryszman is a partner based in Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll's Washington, D.C., office, and is chair of the firm's Human Rights practice group.