Tell us about your biggest client wins this year. [Clare Locke] won a $22.35 million defamation verdict after convincing a federal jury that a publicly traded company had lied to investors about our client for starting a proxy fight—more than 10 times the size of any defamation award in recent Fourth Circuit or North Carolina history. We secured a $3.375 million settlement and video apology from the Southern Poverty Law Center to Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz. And for former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, we convinced the Second Circuit to reverse the [Southern District of New York's] decision dismissing her defamation action against The New York Times.

What's the best lesson you learned as a young lawyer? Know your client—their business, their industry and their culture. Only then can you deliver targeted advice and effective advocacy.

What's been the most significant change in your practice area, and how have you adjusted? "Don't pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel" is no longer sage advice. Demanding accuracy saves reputations.

Share an interesting fact about your firm that few know. Tom is a pilot, and the firm owns a small aircraft. This allows us to be incredibly responsive to clients in crisis.

Submitted by Tom Clare and Libby Locke, Clare Locke founding partners.