Current association: Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC

Law School: West Virginia University College of Law

Undergraduate: West Virginia University

Spouse:  Gil

Hometown: Morgantown

Favorite restaurant: In the summer, Dockside in Morgantown is a great option for anyone who likes live music by the lake. In the colder months, Winnie’s in Bridgeport is my go-to for lunch (grilled cheese and soup). You can’t go wrong with Stefano’s in Morgantown for special occasions – the food is amazing from the chopped salad to pasta or steak and my favorite desserts.

EMLF Involvement: I was first introduced to EMLF when I had the opportunity to participate in the regional planning meeting right out of law school. I am currently on the Board of Trustees.

Something interesting about you people may not know? I coach the WVU All-Girl Competitive Cheerleading team with my husband, Gil.

Where did you grow up? New York

What is your area of practice? Energy Litigation

How did you get involved in that area of law? As a summer associate at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, I had the opportunity to work with attorneys in various departments and practice areas. At the end of the summer, I knew I wanted to work at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC and there was a need in energy litigation. I attended a preliminary injunction hearing to gain access to a producing well during my first week at the firm and have never looked back.

How much of your time is spent representing clients in the coal, oil and gas, or other energy industries? 90% of my time is spent representing energy clients.

How has your EMLF involvement benefited you? In addition to the timely educational content, EMLF has allowed me to meaningfully engage with colleagues across the industry, many of whom are now great friends and mentors. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to interact with law students who are interested in pursuing careers in the energy industry.

You’re still a young lawyer, but have been practicing a bit more than a decade. Looking back, what two or three things have been most helpful to you in developing as a lawyer and as a young partner at your firm? The most helpful thing for me has been having good mentors. Being able to work with people with experience, to see how they practice, and to have them provide me with feedback and direction has been invaluable. If you have a good mentor, spend as much time learning from them as you can. If you don’t have a mentor, find one as soon as possible.

Is there any advice you would give to new lawyers and law students who are about to become lawyers? Treat everything as an opportunity. You will learn and grow—as a professional and a person—if you see opportunities where others see work. When you get those opportunities, do good work by committing to quality and delivering it consistently.