Employer: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Title and Practice Area: Partner, Appellate Litigation

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  I successfully represented a young woman seeking asylum because the police in El Salvador repeatedly assaulted her solely because she is gay. My client was terrified of being deported and equally terrified of testifying about her experience in court, but she did it. Her bravery inspires me to this day.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  Read the cases your adversaries cite. In my first major case, the plaintiff relied heavily on a case as support for the extraordinary relief sought. That case, in simple and clear terms, held that such relief was beyond the courts' power to provide.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  David Salmons, chair of Morgan Lewis's appellate practice. David built a practice that feels like a tight-knit family, and it's a practice I'm honored to be part of. Above all, David has taught me to find the humor in and have fun with the practice of law.

Please share a brief key to your success.  I treat every case as my most important case because, to the client, it is.