Employer: Cooley Title and Practice Area: Partner, Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  I defended the constitutionality of a statute protecting domestic violence victims in the U.S. Supreme Court after a lower court invalidated the law. I didn't want to see repeat offenders with multiple tribal court convictions escape justice. Persuading the Supreme Court to unanimously reverse the lower court's ruling and protect Native American women against domestic violence was a career highlight.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  My first year representing clients helped me see the people behind the cases—the real stories and real problems that move the law forward. Every case has a human narrative. It should never get lost.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  I began my legal career by clerking for three amazing jurists: Judge [Merrick] Garland, Justice [Ruth Bader] Ginsburg, and Justice [Elena] Kagan. They taught me the art and craft of legal analysis and writing—how to hone every sentence, test every idea, and the value of intellectual rigor, precision, and brevity.

Please share a brief key to your success.  Hard work, enthusiasm, and collaboration. I immerse myself in the facts to learn the ins and outs of my clients' objectives. I dive into the law to see all angles and build creative arguments. And I don't stop until I've made the end product as perfect as I can.