. She graduated from DePaul with a B.A. in History and Religious Studies in 2000, and she finished her law degree at DePaul in 2004.
Q: Why did you choose to attend DePaul College of Law?
I attended DePaul University as an undergraduate and had a wonderful experience. The professors were excellent, and I felt very comfortable within the university community. When it came time for law school, I knew I wanted to stay and practice law in Chicago. The College of Law has a strong reputation in the city, so it was an easy choice to continue on at DePaul.
Q. What were some of your notable experiences at DePaul Law (classes, professors, student organizations, etc.)?
My moot court experience stands out the most and was invaluable. For two years, I was able to build my legal skill set. From writing appellate briefs to making oral arguments, moot court gave me the confidence to know that I could be a successful attorney. Beyond moot court, I remember time spent with classmates. I was in Section B and we developed strong connections with each other. They are good people and it helped make law school a positive experience. In terms of classes, I found the criminal law courses I took very interesting and enjoyable.
Q: What inspired you to focus on the area of law that you are currently practicing?
My practice is in commercial litigation. I went to law school with the goal of becoming a litigator and working in the courtroom. At one point, I thought that could be as a public defender or state’s attorney. However, I realized that my calling is in private practice. The opportunity to represent my clients, advocate on their behalf, and make our case to the court is the legal career I have always envisioned.
Q: What has been your most significant takeaway being a member of your firm’s management committee? It has been interesting learning the business of law and how to run a law firm. I now have the responsibility to make strategic decisions on what’s best for a large group of people. And, in this role, I have to find solutions to issues in order to give our attorneys and employees the best opportunity to get the job done.
Q: What advice do you have for today’s law students?
For the past ten years, I have mentored law clerks at my firm. My advice to them has been to find an area of the law that interests and sustains them. From there, build your resume and connections. It is easy to fall into one area of practice as a young attorney and have that define your career. Always keep striving to find a way to do the work that you want to do. I also would advise them that when you find the work you are most passionate about, focus on delivering the best job performance and remaining open to receiving both praise and critiques from other attorneys and firm management. Your performance and humility can play key roles in building a successful and rewarding career as a legal practitioner.