What are some of your fondest memories from your time at Eversheds Sutherland?
Reflecting on my time at Eversheds Sutherland, it’s the people and the relationships that stand out the most. I worked with fantastic individuals – not just fantastic attorneys, but really incredible people who helped shape the type of professional I am today. When I reflect on my time at the firm, it’s not the major legal projects that stick out but moments with colleagues. For example, Lucy Dalton, a legendary paralegal, not only provided fantastic professional support to me while at a trial out of town, but she also drove me back and forth from South Carolina and we would talk everything from trial strategy to advice for a mom with young kids. My team also played pranks with each other – like decorating an office for a Georgia-Florida college football game. Some of us still have a group chat called the 17th Floor Support Group, which shows the camaraderie we had.
How would you describe your time at the firm?
The impact of my time at the firm is profound and lasting. The legal education I received at the firm is incomparable. The firm has an authentic, genuine spirit, and many mentors made lasting contributions to the community. The firm shaped who I am as a professional, balancing brilliance and kindness. The mentorship experience was hands-on and caring.
How was the transition to an in-house role?
Transitioning to an in-house role brought a whole new set of challenges and experiences. It’s very different – I have far less time to deeply reflect on my legal advice and I’m constantly responding to the needs of the business. This makes me grateful for the foundation from Eversheds Sutherland in providing legal advice.
What do you value in external counsel?
When it comes to external counsel, specialization and expertise are key. We use external counsel for specialized areas – particularly when we need to respond to state or local authorities or comply with various jurisdictions. They need to be knowledgeable and up-to-date. I value those that have relationships with the government and agencies and know those paths, which I do not have.
What’s something about you people might now know?
There’s a fun side to my professional persona that often surprises people. My boss calls me the least serious, serious person. I have a serious job and I’m often speaking to employees and colleagues on difficult matters, but when I’m out of those situations it’s a different story. I don’t take myself too seriously (and a mentor at the Firm would compare me to Tigger), but I can still be a very serious attorney.