What legal practice area(s) do you primarily focus on?

I am the Assistant Dean for Career Services and Outreach at Detroit Mercy Law; I previously practiced commercial litigation and legal malpractice defense.

Where did you attend law school, and when did you graduate?

Wayne Law, 2007

What has been the biggest accomplishment/victory in your legal career?

As a first-generation law student, my biggest accomplishment was graduating from law school and passing the bar exam. But this past winter, my students voted me Administrator of the Year and that was pretty significant to me, too!

Describe the biggest challenge you’ve had to face in your legal career.

Imposter syndrome. Doubting myself, despite evidence that I’m capable and qualified. It’s very difficult to push past, and very common in first-generation lawyers and women lawyers. I have a group of women I consider my personal “board of directors” and they can usually pull me out of those doubtful times.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer! The first record of me saying I wanted to be a lawyer was a second grade Student of the Month questionnaire.

What word would you use to describe yourself?

Generous

What is your favorite quote?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

What’s a great book you read recently?

Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power by Brooke Baldwin. It’s the book that inspired WLAM President-Elect Erin Klug’s planning for this year’s WLAM annual meeting. For something a little lighter, I liked Book Lovers by Emily Henry. The two main women characters remind me a lot of me and my sister.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Don’t let fear hold you back. We are all so capable. We shouldn’t let fear stop us from seizing an opportunity.

If you could time travel, where would you go?

Detroit in the 1920s. I love looking at pictures from that time period.