Private Practice: Small And Mid-Sized Firms Episodes

In Episode 75, Northwestern Law alumna Yvette Diaz, a personal injury attorney at Freese & Goss, PLLC in Dallas, Texas, shares her inspiring journey from legal assistant to trial attorney, and highlights the challenges and triumphs that shaped her path. Yvette emphasizes the importance of community in law school, shares her passion for trial preparation, and explains why she has dedicated her career to personal injury and mass tort law. Yvette also discusses how she has developed her lawyer persona and the significance of small wins in her legal practice.

We're rounding out Season 4 with Roshanna Toya, Attorney & Chief Justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court. This is a special episode because Roshanna is not only a tribal court Justice, but she has also clerked at both the state and federal levels. Her vast experience across various parts of the judiciary make her advice and insights one of a kind. Roshanna shares her pre-law school experience as an associate justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court, her inspiration to attend law school, her clerkship experiences both at the state and federal levels, and what it means to be the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Pueblo of Isleta Appellate Court. We're grateful to have the opportunity to share this inspiring conversation with Roshanna Toya as Episode 62.

On episode 52 of Personal Jurisdiction, we chat with Kate Ferlic, managing partner at Egolf, Ferlic, Martinez and Harwood in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kate shares why she believes it is important to be your authentic self and strive for excellence when practicing law, tips for starting and building a successful law firm, and why striving for balance in legal practice and life is key. Kate also highlights several major cases she has been involved in, including the case that paved the way for legalizing same-sex marriage in New Mexico. This is not one to miss!

Personal Jurisdiction is celebrating its 50th episode with a showstopper of a conversation with Jessica Fairchild and Drew Beres. Jessica and Drew are two of the founding partners of the Chicago-based law firm of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. During this conversation, we learn so much from Jessica and Drew, including what it means to start, grown, and lead a mid-sized law firm and why it's okay to practice an area of the law that doesn't coincide with the classes you took in law school.

What is it like to move from one firm to another early in your career? Dan Sharpe is a Patent Attorney at the law firm of Bookoff McAndrews in Washington D.C. and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Professional. On Episode 11, Dan shares his path from mechanical engineer to patent examiner and, eventually, to patent attorney. He shares advice on choosing the law firm that is the right fit for you and what it is like to lateral from one firm to another. Dan also shares his thoughts on involvement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and why open-mindedness is one of the keys to a fulfilling career.