I Thrive on Challenge
I live by my personal philosophy of taking risks and challenging myself. One example of this is after my first year of law school, I decided to challenge myself by spending my summer in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, interning at a women’s rights NGO. During this summer internship, I was in a serious car accident. After arriving back in the U.S., doctors told me I would not be able to go back to law school in the fall. I refused to accept that prognosis, and was able to find a way to go back and graduate on time and at the top of my class. With each challenge I faced, my self-confidence grew. I have taken these lessons into my professional practice and have welcomed what may have seemed to be daunting challenges.
I had previously been a partner in the Denver office of Hogan Lovells, one of the largest law firms in the city, and built their Denver banking practice group from scratch, beginning while I was still an associate of the firm. As a mid-level associate, I recognized that there was a need for a robust and sophisticated banking practice in the Denver market. I saw this as an opportunity and decided I would build this practice. I succeeded and built a talented team with an extremely sophisticated practice.
With that challenge behind me, and the Hogan Lovells banking team running smoothly, I knew I was ready for a new challenge. When WilmerHale presented me with the unique opportunity to establish a new practice, I was eager to accept the challenge. To date, that experience has been incredibly successful. The practice has attracted innovative and influential Colorado and national clients. It has also established a culture that values respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, independence, professionalism, and camaraderie.
I was the most senior woman in my practice from the time I was a fairly junior-level attorney. Partly because I always wished I had more women role models in my own career, I have prioritized being a role model to other female attorneys—helping them find paths that allow them to balance professional success with personal priorities. I have mentored countless women, and I remind them that there are many ways to succeed.
Despite my work demands, which prior to the pandemic included an active travel schedule, I am an engaged and active parent to two young children. During the pandemic, I have managed the challenge of parenting, homeschooling, and working. I am dedicated to making this profession a much more inclusive and supportive work environment than it was when I began my career.
