Employer: Kirkland & Ellis Title and Practice Area: Partner, Litigation

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  My most valued accomplishment is the strong relationships I've formed with a variety of different clients. Helping clients solve their problems is the best part of my job.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  Credibility and integrity are essential. If judges or jurors don't think you are credible, you can't be an effective advocate. Our goal in every case is to play it straight with the court, even if that means giving up some ground every now and then in service of a broader strategy.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  Kirkland & Ellis partners Gene Assaf, Craig Primis and Susan Davies. Gene for his litigation instincts and dedication to the craft; Craig for teaching me the nuts and bolts of litigating cases at the highest levels; and Susan for teaching me to develop and mentor younger lawyers.

Please share a brief key to your success.  Our job is to facilitate our clients' success. We can only do that by being true partners with our clients and putting ourselves in their shoes. We have to think like our clients think, understand their business, and anticipate their needs and pressures.