Employer: King & Spalding Title and Practice Area: Associate, International Trade

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  I represented the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Sunpreme litigation, which spanned 2016 to 2020, implicated the statutory and regulatory authority of two government enforcement agencies, and ultimately resulted in split and en banc [U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit] decisions. On cross-appeal, we were able to secure a favorable en banc Federal Circuit decision concerning the intertwined authority of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in enforcing antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  There is a customer service element to being an attorney, which means that clear, concise, and effective communication is key. As a judicial law clerk, I learned that effective communication requires timely raising issues for discussion and resolution.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  The late Barry Carter, my International Law II professor at Georgetown Law, introduced me to international trade law, and more specifically, antidumping and countervailing law. Professor Carter provided me with insight on law student and professional opportunities in international trade. This career advice led to several key relationships and internships, including opportunities with the State Department's Office of the Legal Adviser and Commerce's Office of General Counsel. Following my federal judicial clerkship, I completed a nearly four-year term as an attorney with Commerce. Each opportunity has been phenomenal and critical to my career development.

Please share a brief key to your success. Strategic thinking has proven to be the key to my success. My practice is to visualize my goals, both professional and personal, and to process and develop informed short-term, mid-term, and long-term approaches. Also, I find that being genuine and kind goes a long way.