I wanted to be a lawyer since the fourth grade. I grew up in a small town in northern Ohio and I shadowed with a local general practice firm for a something akin to “take your kid to work day.” The firm was a husband-and-wife team. They seemed so important to their clients and helped real people with real problems in a way that felt like a passion rather than a job. I was determined to go to law school from that moment.
I will never forget my trip along the West Coast on Route 1 with my husband. We flew into LA, rented a convertible, and drove along the coast with various stops along the way. We ended in San Franciso after spending a few nights in Sonoma wine country. It was picture perfect! I have photos to prove it.
I learned that mentorship for lawyers is crucial. This wasn’t stressed in law school, but I was lucky enough to get it firsthand when beginning my practice. It has been invaluable to develop collegial and trusting relationships with other attorneys. These relationships, good or bad, impact so many areas of our work. Whether you are referred work from a colleague, a new case with opposing counsel will be pleasant or a nightmare, and having a brain trust to lean on when needed.
I am excited to be chairing the small and solo law firm committee this year to assist other attorneys with their practices. I established my own firm in 2019 and it was daunting at times and new challenges are always arising. I want this committee to be accessible and robust because sharing information and resources enhances the Bar as a whole and practitioners individually. I plan to collaborate with some specific practice groups that have a significant amount of solo practitioners for programing to draw the attention of more CBA members to the committee.