Employer: U.S. Department of Justice Title and Practice Area: Attorney, Appellate Litigation

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  Persuading the [U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit] not to break the internet. Judgment-holders sought to attach foreign states' domain names and IP addresses. This raised delicate, novel questions. The court gave us 20 pages and little time. Vindicating key U.S. interests, I successfully argued that attachment imperiled the internet's stability, security, and freedom.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  Storytelling matters. Law school prepared me to understand legal doctrine, but practice taught me that winning briefs also have strong narratives. Convincing a court to want to rule for your client can be just as important as explaining how. The best litigators use language to both ends.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  Professor Philip B. Heymann of Harvard Law School showed me the impact of mentoring. He champions his students and colleagues, using his influence to increase opportunities for people from all backgrounds and walks of life. I try to live up to his example in my professional relationships and beyond.

Please share a brief key to your success. Laser-focused hard work. There's no substitute. Litigating means going all in: I make sure I know every legal and factual issue backward and forward. As a lawyer who stands up on behalf of the government, I hold myself to the same high bar that the courts do.