Employer: Dentons Title and Practice Area: Partner, Commercial Litigation

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  My first book, co-authored with my law partner and a former partner [of mine] who is now an ambassador: "The Lawyer's Handbook." Since then, I've co-authored other books, including legal malpractice treatises, and a bi-monthly column on malpractice avoidance and ethics, but seeing my name on that first book was a thrill.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  Building a practice and expertise takes time, but you can show value and dedication by mastering the facts of your case, working hard and becoming indispensable. The partners you work for are your clients until you have clients of your own.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  My greatest mentor is now my partner at Dentons, Shari Klevens. I have worked with Shari my entire career and she has taught me the importance of client service, hard work, business development and civility in practice.

Please share a brief key to your success. I've observed that successful attorneys tend to be curious in developing theories and creative solutions. I've tried to apply that to my own practice, whether I'm investigating a counterclaim against an insured for misrepresentation, advising professionals accused of malpractice by celebrities, or representing a pro bono client at trial.