Tell us a bit about yourself and your career before joining Selendy Gay.
Before going to law school, I worked in politics. My first full-time job was working as a page on the floor of the United States Senate. In college, after interning at the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, I was hired as a staff assistant in the Office of White House Counsel, where I supported teams focused on ethics and presidential clemency. After college, I dove into the advocacy world—working at Protect Our Care, an organization formed in response to efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Each of these roles helped me appreciate how powerful the law can be in shaping society, whether by passing laws or through litigation. I came to see the law as a tool in my kit, wanted to go to law school to learn how to best harness it.
How did you first hear about Selendy Gay, and what made you want to join the firm?
I learned about Selendy Gay during the on- campus interview process at Northwestern School of Law, from a friend who mentioned looking forward to an interview with an exciting New York litigation boutique. As I looked into the firm, I was impressed with its variety of plaintiffs’ and defense-side work, the equity stake held by women partners, and the firm’s roots in obtaining some of the largest residential mortgage-backed securities recoveries in this country’s history.
I wanted to learn how to litigate from the attorneys who developed the innovative strategies underpinning these victories—and because of Selendy Gay’s smaller size, I knew that even junior associates could expect to have exposure to such partners.
What has stood out to you about the firm since you joined?
Since joining the firm, I have been impressed by its investment in associates, particularly in early stages of their careers. As a summer associate, I participated in strategy sessions concerning a motion to dismiss, presenting and responding to partner questions about the legal issue for which I was responsible. During my first year as an associate, I presented oral argument on a discovery motion in a commercial matter against a major pharmaceutical company.
These experiences are common amongst my peers at Selendy Gay—at early stages in our careers, associates are given the opportunity to second-chair and take depositions, conduct oral argument, and go to trial. The fact that partners and senior associates meaningfully invest in the training required to set junior associates up for success at each phase is a testament to the firm’s collaborative culture and belief that associate contributions matter, no matter the associate’s level.
Can you describe a matter or experience at Selendy Gay that has been particularly meaningful or formative for you?
The SaveOnSP matter was my first case at the firm. In this matter, we represent SaveOnSP, which provides cost-saving strategies for health plan sponsors, in defending against claims brought by Johnson & Johnson allegedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The case has been a sort of litigation boot camp since I joined as a summer associate. Since its inception, I have worked on the motion to dismiss, taken on questions of civil procedure, penned numerous briefs, argued discovery motions, and defended depositions. At each phase of the case, I have been given meaningful ownership over workstreams. This case has taught me what complex litigation entails, while instilling litigation and management skills that have made me a better lawyer.
How have you grown professionally during your time at the firm?
My growth since joining the firm has felt exponential. Two areas stand out in particular: my project management skills and my strategic judgment. Before joining the firm, I had not managed more than a handful of people at once. Now, I have managed a team of sixty staff attorneys on one matter, and serve as the case manager on two other matters. In these roles, I have learned how to plan for long-term goals and strategy while keeping things moving on a daily basis.
I have also started to feel more confident in my strategic judgment. With an understanding of how different pieces of litigation fit together, I have a better sense of how to pull the levers of various litigation tools in order to achieve the best outcome for clients.
What are you most looking forward to in the next phase of your career at Selendy Gay?
As I become a mid-level associate, I am eager to continue developing my litigation skills, particularly my deposition and oral advocacy skills. I am hopeful that I will be able to go to trial.
I also look forward to investing in the junior associates I work with—I am a better lawyer because I have worked with so many attorneys who have invested in my professional and personal development. I hope to pay that forward as I become more senior.
