After hearing I was heading back into trial, a lovely friend from kindergarten urged me to retire. What more do you need Karen. What more do you have to prove. You deserve to relax and spend more time being a grandma. All good and valid points.
Read MoreAt first I thought, well Karen - how ridiculous that you would think that you should get award and be mad that you didn’t. As a woman raised in the 60s - we were taught not to be forward, not to expect, to do good work, hope we would be recognized, and not be disappointed when the much louder boys got noticed instead.
But that 60s meek attitude is not how you claw to and survive at the top in the paternalistic world of lawyers. Plus I was raised by parents who believed that if you didn’t fight for yourself and others, then what was the point.
Read MoreSince covid entered the world, have dramatically curtailed speaking travel. But times are changing. And when the request comes in from the Colorado trial lawyers women’s caucus. I say yes. Even though Anne says: are you suuuuuurrrrreeeee. And wags her eyebrows at me.
We had just turned down Wyoming because there was no direct flight and it would have been an 8 hour trip. But this one is a simple flight to Denver which is not far away. Then an hour and a half drive to the resort. Piece of cake I enthuse. Anne gives me a knowing look.
Read More15 years ago Paul Stritmatter told me I needed to hire a paralegal named Anne Roberson. I was in trial. And declined. He persisted and said I needed to meet her. Eventually. Reluctantly. I did. That day changed me fundamentally because Anne became a member of the firm and part of my life.
Read MoreFor sentimental reasons have been hanging on to the last few pairs. Actually wear a few of them in trials this year. But as 2022 comes to an end. So does my desire (mostly) to ever wear high heels again.
It started in earnest in the disco years. Attended the U of W refusing to wear the uniform of jeans and flats. Can remember walking across red square (which is brick) on my toes - even in the rain.
Read MoreThe year was 2008 and I was president of the state trial lawyers association then called WSTLA (now WSAJ). Every year the president had the honor of presiding over the law day dinner. A formal sit down event filled with lawyers and judges.
I had attended many such events over the years and particularly enjoyed the inspiration offered by the key note speaker. One of my favorites was Morris Dees - of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Who told stories of civilly prosecuting white supremacists and then bankrupting their organizations. He gave me chills.
Read MoreDear Grandma.
I only knew you through my mom who lost you when she was 14. She idolized you. I spent many hours looking at the handful of photos she had of you. Starting with the one where you stood next to Gong Gong on you marriage day. You never smiled in your pictures. I wouldn’t have either if my marriage had been arranged.
Read MoreWell, it doesn’t feel good. After all - the plaintiff trial bar is supposed to be made up of the most progressive lawyers that there are. We are after all fighting for civil justice - a good and noble cause.
This all started up (again) 6 days ago. I noticed that the slate of officer candidates for a subgroup of a national lawyer organization that I’m in - was all male. I googled them to double check and they were all white. I then looked at the 36 names of those on the executive board and with 3 exceptions - yes. All white male. So as the congratulations began to come in for the picking of such a great lineup I wrote in: there’s a serious diversity issue.
Read MorePostscript: I intended to only share this with my family. But after an evening of thought decided that being real means sharing not only the good and bad, but also the humiliating. Because we are all in this thing call being human – together.
May 13, 2021.
I’m walking to home depot. Along the perimeter of Central Park West.
Return call from Rosemary. She is getting tested for covid so she can go to Hawaii. Needs to call me back. 5 minutes later am at Columbus Circle. Phone rings.
We chit chat about the test for one minute. And then here’s how it goes:
RM: I have something serious I need to talk to you about.
Read MoreWe are unbelievably humbled to be surrounded by you all this morning. The work of this community is to seek justice for those who for centuries have been victims of oppression, violence, discrimination, and death. And so we deeply thank you for extending your love to our child.
Read MoreJustice Ireland:
“Here’s a picture of me as the first woman member of the Washington State Trial Lawyer Association Board. It only happened because the President, John Lewis, insisted. He wanted me to be chair of the legislative committee because I had worked in the Stat senate three terms in college. I knew everyone and where all the bodies were buried. The WSTLA Board agreed with one hitch.
Read More“Congratulations! The National Trial Lawyers has identified you as one of the top 25 National Women Trial Lawyers in the state of Washington. Membership is by invitation only and is extended to the most qualified attorneys from each state or region, based on objective and uniformly applied criteria.”
Hogwash.
The letter arrives along with an order form so I can get a wall plaque ($165.00) or a Lady justice Statue ($240.00) to proudly display in my womanly lawyer office.
Read MorePlaintiff Trial Lawyers make act as if but are not - holier than thou.
As protesters topple monuments that symbolize white supremacy, the progressive trial bar stands proudly to the side watching. Perhaps not all applauding loudly. But as advocates for the constitution and against race based discrimination, we agree. It is time those monuments came down. For a great explanation - see Jeffrey Robinson’s YouTube “opening statement” type presentation.
Yet, as a profession we have not done much better in terms of recognizing our own worship of the long time dominant majority white male trial lawyer model.
Read MoreIn the middle of the Ride the Ducks trial Beth Taylor of Thompson Reuters called and asked if Super Lawyers could profile me for its annual magazine. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. Ross Anderson, a freelance journalist met me over a weekend. We chatted a bit. Over the next few months he read the press coverage of the Ride the Ducks trial. Watched episodes on Court TV. And even came to trial. A good part of the article was written before the verdict came down in February of 2019.
Read MoreToday a Federal Judge denied Defendant Nelly’s motion to dismiss a sexual assault and defamation case brought by the second plaintiff I’ve represented against him. In the first case, M.G. came forward with her identity because she had already been publicly identified and reporters were calling her within hours of the allege sexual assault. She was savaged through social media by fans of the rapper and others.
We filed this second lawsuit on behalf of “Jane Doe” so the plaintiff would be spared a similar horrible public ordeal.
Read MoreSeptember 12, 2018
12.44 am Complete another deposition designation.
1:30 Conk out
7:00 Wake up. Today is marked off as a day I will not be working.
7:30 Return to computer on kitchen table and work. Massive trial paperwork deadlines due tomorrow.
9:00 Go for run with Nala because it is the only time that will be possible.
Read MoreThe courtroom is filled with black and gray suits. Andrew is fiddling with the projector. Camera person sets up. Reporter sits down. I pull out my computer. Get it ready. The projector is a no go - but we've brought our own. Andrew switches them out. I plug in my computer. Mess around with the clicker. Battery works. But the back won't close. Ah. There it goes.
Click back and forth on a few slides. Works. Look up. Turn toward the back of the courtroom and see Cristina and Alysha. They've come to watch.
Read MoreThe defense counsel writes to the Judge that I have displayed “histrionics and inflammatory rhetoric” in my legal argument.
Read MoreDefense counsel and I walk up to the Taney County Courthouse in Missouri. There is a red sign in the middle of the entrance door that says no cell phones or other electronic devices allowed in building.
Read MoreI met Shellie 30 years ago when she was pregnant with her eldest daughter. We were both working at a hideously dysfunctional insurance defense firm. She wisely fled before I did.
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