Reflections on Experience, Identity, and the Work That Connects Us All

Throughout my 25-year legal career, I’ve heard many comments—some curious, some complimentary: 

At times, I’ve heard things like:

“You don’t really have clients, just cases.”
“It’s all numbers—you don’t work them up like real trial lawyers do.”
“You’re more of a case manager than a litigator.”

Such comments show a misunderstanding of what it is that mass tort lawyers do.

Connections matters. Advocacy matters. Inclusion matters. But these critical elements cannot thrive at the American Association of Justice (AAJ) without financial stability as their foundation.  For AAJ to offer us all its benefits and the strength to protect our practices and keep the courthouse doors open for our clients, money matters – and it matters profoundly.

Early in my legal career, I worked on a case that forever shaped the way I approach the practice of law. It wasn’t the biggest case or the most high-profile, but it was the most human—and it has guided me ever since.

Years ago, I sat in the audience at the Texas Women Rainmakers Conference listening to Kathryn Childers—one of the first female Secret Service Agents—share her story. She delivered a message I’ll never forget:

“Do it scared.”

Fresh off the AAJ Winter Conference and several other incredible professional gatherings, I can say one thing for sure: nothing replaces being in the room.

Over the past few years, we’ve all grown comfortable with virtual meetings. Zoom has been an incredible tool—one that I personally championed during the pandemic to bring our community together in the Women’s Caucus. It has kept us connected, productive, and engaged in ways we never imagined. But after spending time face-to-face with my peers, sharing ideas over coffee (or something a little stronger), and engaging in real-time discussions, I’m reminded of how in-person connection offers a different kind of energy and impact.

New Year’s resolutions—how many of you set them? And how many of you struggle to keep them or feel weighed down by them? Resolutions can sometimes feel like pressure instead of motivation. That’s why I’ve embraced a different approach: choosing a Word of the Year.

Protecting Our Cornerstone of Democracy

As lawyers, we know that the Seventh Amendment, ensuring the right to a jury trial, is not just a constitutional guarantee—it’s a cornerstone of our democracy. It is the foundation of fairness and accountability in our legal system, ensuring that justice is decided by everyday citizens rather than solely by government entities or corporate interests.

People. Signage. Booths. More people.

That’s what I saw as I walked into the convention hall of an unfamiliar city for my first AAJ convention. The organization was new to me, and my mind raced with questions and self-doubt: Where do I go? How do I make the most of this experience? What’s the best way to network? It was overwhelming, to say the least.