Melanie L. Cyganowski, Partner, Otterbourg

What are some of your proudest recent achievements? As a retired Bankruptcy Judge and public servant of many years, I am proudest of my cases that involve serving the public interest. Off the top, Texas, together with an ad hoc consortium of states, retained me to represent their interests from a bankruptcy perspective in the various opioid litigations and bankruptcy cases. Obviously, my experiences on and off the bench played a role in shaping my advice. Other public interest matters since joining Otterbourg include serving as Patient Care Ombudsman in health care bankruptcies (where I monitored patient care to assure it is not adversely impacted by the bankruptcy) and as Receiver in Platinum Partners, as a fiduciary in related SEC litigation. Also, at the very top of the list, is my appointment by the NYS Health Commissioner to serve as the first Temporary Operator of a community hospital, Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn.

What does it mean to be a leader? Set an example. Have confidence in your colleagues and give them the opportunity to step up.

Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you. I was a law clerk to the late Chief District Judge Charles L. Brieant and a colleague of the late Chief Bankruptcy Judge Conrad B. Duberstein. Without question, I have followed (or at least tried my hardest to emulate) their model of public service, intertwining law with life, and treating others as fairly as I would want to be.

How are the business and profession of law changing, and how should lawyers adapt for the future? With the increasing use of technology, artificial intelligence and mobile communications, lawyers will need to quickly adapt. Clients will rightly insist on nothing less than cutting-edge responses, in both substance and turnaround time. Finding new approaches to address client concerns about the increasing cost of legal services is imperative. The bottom line is that there is no "one size fits all" solution. Both lawyers and law firms must be open to new and alternative fee arrangements.

What is the best advice for someone considering a career in law, or someone already in the profession who is seeking to make a greater impact? I truly love being a lawyer and a member of this wonderful profession. From where I have sat and now sit, the law provides the ultimate platform for all persons to pursue their interests, whatever those interests may be. As for the study of the law, legal education challenges a person to think critically and to solve problems. In the end, it is secondary if the person is looking towards a career in the courts, politics, pro bono work, criminal law, bankruptcy or financial services. Even the music industry. As with other disciplines, hard work and diligence reap their own reward of excellence.