Lewis Brisbois Celebrates Women's History Month 2022

March 31, 2022

Throughout Women's History Month, Lewis Brisbois honored the outstanding women attorneys from our offices across the country with a spotlight series that focusesd on the importance of mentorship.

(March 2022) - Throughout Women's History Month, Lewis Brisbois honored the outstanding women attorneys from our offices across the country with a spotlight series that focused on the importance of mentorship. Our opening message from the Co-Chairs of Lewis Brisbois' Women's Initiative, Los Angeles Managing Partner Jana Lubert and Chief Strategy Officer Janet Eskow, pointed out that throughout history, women have served as both mentors and protectors, demonstrating strong leadership and unwavering support of others, particularly over the course of the last two years as the world has battled a global pandemic.

Continue reading to see all the spotlight posts we featured in this series. Learn more about our Women's Initiative program here.

The first contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C. Partner Cheryl Wilke, who describes the importance of trust and authenticity when developing a mentor relationship. She also shares her belief that "any great woman can become a great partner" with a little help from the right mentor.

Cheryl is a member of the firm's Labor & Employment and Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practices, specializing in corporate compliance and business litigation for mid-market and national businesses.

Learn more about her professional background here.

The next contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from Hartford Partner Christy Jachimowski, who takes this opportunity to honor her late mother as her first mentor. From setting an example as a working mom to imparting important life lessons around professional networking and participatory democracy, Christy recognizes the impact of her original mentor on her life and career. 

Christy is a member of the firm's General Liability and Asbestos Litigation Practices, among others, and has over a decade of experience litigating complex and high exposure matters. She also regularly handles agency matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. 

Learn more about her professional background here.

Continuing with our Women's History Month spotlights, San Diego Partner Julie Dann expresses gratitude for the opportunities she's been afforded to learn and grow in her professional career - opportunities that her grandparents did not have. She also names fellow Lewis Brisbois Partner Marylin Moriarty as a longstanding mentor, and notes the responsibility of female attorneys to be advocates for other women.

Julie is a member of the firm's Professional Liability Practice. She provides support to attorneys across Lewis Brisbois nationwide network with respect to interpreting rules of ethics and professional conduct, identifying and resolving conflicts of interest, and other compliance-related issues.

Learn more about her professional background here.

As we enter the second week of Women's History Month, we hear from San Bernardino Associate Emily Yang, who describes the challenges she faced in pursuing a niche career as a pharmacist attorney. However, thanks to her determination and the encouragement of those around her, Emily has found a welcoming and supportive environment at Lewis Brisbois and looks forward to supporting the next generation of dreamers.

Emily is a member of the firm's Healthcare Practice. While earning her law degree at the University of La Verne, she worked as a licensed Community Pharmacist and continues to serve her community as a healthcare provider.

Learn more about her professional background here.

The next contribution in our spotlight series comes from Lafayette and New Orleans Managing Partner Jenny Michel, who describes how her parents - her earliest mentors - laid the groundwork for her professional success. She also reflects upon an important Lewis Brisbois role model - Maureen Sullivan - who previously managed the same Louisiana offices. 

Jenny is co-chair of Lewis Brisbois’ London Market Group and Pollution Legal Liability/Environmental Impairment Liability (PLL/EIL) Practice, as well as chair of its Marine & Energy Practice. She works with London insurers and leads a team of attorneys who handle matters involving marine energy, onshore and offshore property, construction, environmental, general liability, professional liability, insurance coverage, and bad faith claims.

Learn more about Jenny’s professional background here.

Next up in our spotlight series is Dallas Associate Christine Chasse, who explains that she has benefitted from the influence of several positive mentors who helped her navigate law school and a second career as an attorney. She also reminds others that it is important to accept assistance from colleagues.

Christine, who worked as a registered nurse for over 12 years, is a member of Lewis Brisbois' Healthcare Practice. She focuses her practice on representing healthcare professionals and institutions, such as skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities regarding claims of professional liability, healthcare and medical malpractice liability, premises liability, and wrongful death.

Learn more about Christine's professional background here.

The next contribution in our spotlight series comes from Los Angeles Partner Ashleigh Kasper, who shares that her father was her first mentor in the legal arena, consistently demonstrating how to practice law with integrity. She also describes how women lawyers have since become her strongest advisors and observes the "undeniable strength and power in women litigators" who stay "true to themselves." 

Ashleigh is a member of Lewis Brisbois' Labor & Employment Practice. She has extensive experience defending employers in matters involving claims such as workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

Learn more about her professional background here.

Next in our Women's History Month spotlight series, we hear from San Diego Partner Rita Kanno, who describes how the strong women in her family influenced her ability to succeed in the face of challenges. Explaining that she leads by example, she emphasizes the importance of teaching the future generation about perseverance and kindness. 

Rita is a member of Lewis Brisbois' Labor & Employment Practice, focusing on employment-related litigation, including wage and hour class action defense. She has substantial experience representing employers in litigation involving claims of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and wage issues.

Learn more about Rita's professional background here.

Next up in our Women's History month spotlight series is Houston Partner Joelle Nelson, who describes mentorship as an "investment" in each individual and their unique abilities and strengths. Noting that "there is nothing more motivating or inspiring than watching a star rise," Joelle describes welcoming a steady stream of lawyers to her office on a regular basis so that she may answer their questions and provide guidance. 

Joelle serves as a vice chair of Lewis Brisbois' National General Liability Practice and has extensive experience successfully handling a wide variety of claims involving transportation, catastrophic injury, construction, premises liability, and more. Joelle is also an active member of the Women Contractors Association, an organization committed to the advancement of women in the construction industry through education, support, and networking.

Learn more about Joelle's professional background here.

As we continue with our Women's History Month spotlight series, we hear from Phoenix Partner and Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois' National Transportation Practice Julie Maurer, who shares some advice on mentors and mentorship for her young nieces and others like them setting out on their own career paths.

As a leader in the firm's Transportation and Business Services teams, Julie routinely serves as national litigation counsel for clients in jurisdictions across the U.S. in matters related to transportation and complex commercial litigation. She has extensive experience as lead chair in bench and jury trials in state and federal courts as well as AAA arbitrations throughout the country.

Learn more about Julie's professional experience here.

 

Next in our Women's History Month spotlight series, we hear from Seattle Administrative Partner Rachel Tallon Reynolds, who describes "a network of female leaders" and mentors she found at Lewis Brisbois that allowed her to feel fully supported as she built her practice. She also seeks to pay it forward to the next group of women attorneys and share in the success she has enjoyed.

Rachel is a member of the firm's Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation, Products Liability, Life Sciences, Public Agency & Municipal Law, and National Trial Practices. A veteran of the U.S. Army, she is able to connect with people from all walks of life and prides herself on providing creative solutions to her client's legal challenges.

Learn more about Rachel's professional background here.

The next contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from St. Louis Partner Melissa Vaughn, who credits her mother for teaching her how to employ confidence and resilience to succeed professionally while still "showing up" for her children. In discussing the challenges of being a woman in the legal community, Melissa describes how she effectively manages situations in which other attorneys underestimate her. 

Melissa is the Administrative Partner of Lewis Brisbois' St. Louis office and a member of the firm's Healthcare, General Liability, Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation, and Behavioral Health Practices. She devotes a significant amount of her practice to the defense of healthcare and long-term care professionals and organizations.

Learn more about Melissa's background here.

Next up in our Women's History Month spotlight series, we hear from Seattle Associate Aryn Seiler, who describes how working with women mentors inspires her to excel in the legal profession. She also discusses the meaningful relationships that she has developed with women mentors since joining Lewis Brisbois, including Houston Partner & General Liability Practice Vice-Chair Joelle Nelson and Seattle Managing Partner Heather Jensen. 

Aryn is a member of Lewis Brisbois' General Liability Practice and focuses on the defense of corporate clients of all sizes in litigation concerning professional liability as well as long-term care and elder law. She also handles class action lawsuits, including those related to data breaches.

Learn more about Aryn's professional background here.

The next contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from New York Partner Angie Khawly, who describes her challenges, as a woman Latina litigator, in finding a mentor who experienced the same obstacles that she had. Angie points out the importance of having Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) serve in leadership roles, explaining that she views it as her duty to mentor BIPOC attorneys and encourage them to recognize their worth. 

Angie is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability Practice and a graduate of Florida Coastal School of Law, where she was a member of the Hispanic Law Student Association.

Learn more about her professional background here.

Continuing with our Women's History Month spotlights, Tampa Partner Lindsay DeCarlo explains how working with a team of women early in her career was “pivotal” in allowing her to feel confident in her role as a woman attorney. She also describes that serving as a mentor to others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career to date. 

Lindsay is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability, Healthcare, Products Liability, Hospitality, and Class Action & Mass Tort Practices and was recently promoted to partner. She focuses her practice on representing hospitals, medical providers, and an array of other clients through all stages of complex civil litigation.

Learn more about Lindsay’s professional background here.

The next contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from Minneapolis Associate Brianna Cole, who shares that, with the strong women in her family as an inspiration, she sought to join a firm that appreciated women in leadership roles. She also expresses gratitude for the guidance and support that Minneapolis Managing Partner Michelle Gilboe has provided, as a mentor and a role model. 

Brianna is a member of Lewis Brisbois' Products Liability Practice. Prior to joining the firm last year, she clerked in Hennepin County District Court, and during law school, she clerked for the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, where she supported criminal trial attorneys and appeared in court to advocate on behalf of the State.

Learn more about her professional background here.

As Women's History Month enters its final week, we hear from Fort Lauderdale Partner Kristen Perkins, who shares how her experience with female mentorship began early, in the home, with her mother, grandmothers, and aunts leading the way. She also expresses gratitude for the continued mentoring she receives from her clients, especially women leaders in the insurance industry.

Kristen is a vice chair of Lewis Brisbois' Bad Faith Litigation Practice. She regularly handles complex insurance disputes involving a broad range of coverages, including employment, commercial general liability, directors & officers, property, and crime.

Learn more about her professional background here.

The penultimate contribution in our Women's History Month spotlight series comes from Chicago Partner Mary Smigielski, who points out that the "core traits" of kindness and compassion, exhibited by so many women, "have a place in law." She also discusses her rewarding mentorship of women and men alike, noting that the men with whom she practices are strong supporters and defenders of women. 

Mary is head of Lewis Brisbois' Chicago Labor & Employment Practice and co-chair of the firm’s Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) Practice. She regularly handles a wide range of employment litigation, counseling, and workplace investigations, and is on the cutting edge of the dramatic rise in BIPA-related lawsuits.

Learn more about her professional background here.

The final contribution in our 2022 Women's History Month spotlight series comes from Los Angeles Co-Managing Partner Jana Lubert, who describes how three of her mentors, including Lewis Brisbois Chairman and Founding Partner Bob Lewis, have influenced her and contributed to her success. Expressing gratitude for these individuals, Jana explains that she tries to incorporate the invaluable lessons they have taught her into her work and daily life. 

Jana serves as Lewis Brisbois' general counsel, co-chair of its Insurance Law and Directors & Officers Coverage Practices, as well as Co-Chair of the firm's Women's Initiative. With over thirty years of experience acting as coverage counsel and monitoring counsel, her practice focuses on insurance coverage matters.

Learn more about her professional experience here.

We conclude our Women's History Month spotlight series with a closing message from the Co-Chairs of Lewis Brisbois' Women's Initiative, Los Angeles Managing Partner Jana Lubert and Chief Strategy Officer Janet Eskow. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this campaign and look forward to hearing from more of our outstanding female colleagues throughout the year.

Learn more about our Women's Initiative here.