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In this special edition of The Path & The Practice, Alexis is joined by Dan Sharpe, DEI Manager at Foley & Lardner, for a conversation focused on advice to new associates. Based on their years of legal practice and their experience working in law firm talent development and DEI, they cover a variety of topics including time entry, meeting deadlines, responsiveness, and office presence. They also discuss the importance of learning how to embrace and recontextualize feedback so that it doesn’t feel like an attack on self-worth as well as knowing when and who to ask for help early in your career.

This special edition of The Path & The Practice welcomes members of Foley’s Veterans & Allies Affinity Group, Patrick McMahon (Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment, Chicago), Alexa Goldstein (Associate, Litigation, Tampa), and Rashad Abdallah ( Associate, Labor & Employment, San Diego). Representing three branches of the United States Armed Forces (Airforce, Army, and Navy), Patrick, Alexa, and Rashad reflect on a variety of topics including why they decided to attend law school after serving, what it was like being a law student and a veteran, as well as how the skills they developed in the military enhance their legal practice.

This episode features a conversation with Marshall Keen a summer associate in Foley’s Dallas office. In this discussion, he reflects on growing-up in Blanchard, Louisiana, earning his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University and attending SMU Dedman School of Law. Marshall discusses how he completed undergrad in three years and shares why SMU Law was his first choice. He also gives advice to new law students on how to handle the many uncertainties of the early days of law school and how he navigated finding a job. Marshall also discusses his experience as a summer associate at Foley. Finally, Marshall reflects on the importance of working hard, being humble, and teachable.

This episode features a conversation with Chemutai Shiow a summer associate in Foley’s Milwaukee office. In this discussion, she reflects on growing up in Franklin, Wisconsin, earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and subsequently attending the University of Chicago Law School. Tai details her unique path to Foley that included working at Foley for over three years, as patent agent, before leaving to attend law school. She discusses her decision to attend law school full-time, and her decision to return to Foley as a summer associate. Tai shares exactly what it is that has kept her coming back to Foley & Lardner and provides advice on the importance of working before law school.

This episode features a conversation with Nandita Raghavan a summer associate in Foley’s Los Angeles office. In this discussion, she reflects on growing up in Pleasanton, California, earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and subsequently attending the USC Gould School of Law. Nandita discusses on her decision to defer attending law school to teach for two years. She also provides advice on the best way to learn about law firms when you’re looking for a Big Law summer associate position. Finally, Nandita talks about her experience as a summer associate at Foley and gives great advice on the importance of knowing what you want out of law school.

This episode features a conversation with Nick Jerschefske a summer associate in Foley’s Milwaukee office. In this discussion, he reflects on growing up in Franklin, Wisconsin, earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus and subsequently attending Marquette University Law School. Nick details the nearly a decade he spent focused on a career in music and the various jobs he held during the time before deciding to join the U.S. Army. He discusses his decision to attend law school and how, once in law school, he focused on building relationships to help him find both 1L and 2L job opportunities. Nick also shares his experience as a summer associate at Foley and provides advice on the importance of not self-selecting out of opportunities.

This episode features a conversation with Randall Carter a summer associate in Foley’s Boston office. In this conversation, he looks back on growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, attending Colgate University for undergrad and attending Harvard Law School, after transferring from Northeastern University School of Law. Randall reflects on the jobs he held before law school, discusses his transition to law school as well as his decision to transfer from Northeastern to Harvard. Additionally, he shares his experience navigating the Big Law interview process, decision to join Foley as a summer associate, and the experience he had at Foley. Finally, Randall provides wonderful insight on the importance of preparing for interviews and striking a balance between being both authentic and polished.

This episode features a conversation with Kimberly Klinsport a litigation partner in Foley’s Los Angeles office where she is also the Office Managing Partner. In this discussion, she reflects on growing-up in Palos Verdes, California, attending the University of Southern California for undergrad and earning her J.D. from Loyola Law School. She explains her decision to join Foley as a lateral associate and the various leadership roles she’s held since joining the firm. Kim also gives great advice to law students on how to navigate the evolving entry-level interview process. Finally, Kim provides wonderful insight on the importance of building and maintaining relationships.

This episode features a conversation with David Goroff. David is a litigation partner in Foley’s Chicago office where he is also chair of Foley’s appellate practice group. In this discussion, he reflects on growing-up in Skokie, IL, attending the University of Illinois for undergrad, earning his J.D. from Columbia Law School, and clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. David discusses starting his career at Hopkins & Sutter, a firm that subsequently merged with Foley in 2001. He also reflects on the early days of his career and what has kept him at the firm. Finally, David gives wonderful advice on the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities.

This episode features a conversation with William McKenna. Bill is a litigation partner in Foley’s Chicago office. In this discussion, he looks back on growing-up in Hinsdale, Illinois, attending Middlebury College for undergrad and earning his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. Bill also reflects on over 40 years of practice, including Foley’s merger with Hopkins & Sutter in the early 2000s. He discusses the importance of, as a litigator, being open to new opportunities and learning how to read and ride the waves of litigation. Finally, Bill gives fantastic advice on the importance of big law associates always thinking ahead.

This episode features a conversation with Andrew Wronski. Andy is a litigation partner in Foley’s Milwaukee office where he is also the office managing partner (OMP). In addition to serving is Milwaukee OMP, Andy is also chair of the Foley’s Manufacturing Sector. In this discussion, he reflects on growing-up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, attending Marquette University for undergrad and earning his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. Andy reflects on his over 30-years with Foley, including the professional arch of a litigator and his leadership roles. He also shares how he’s balanced prioritizing family with being a busy trial lawyer. Finally, Andy gives wonderful advice on the importance of embracing a no regrets philosophy.

This episode features a conversation with Lisa Glahn. Lisa is a partner and construction attorney in Foley’s Boston office, and vice chair of both the firm’s Litigation Department and Construction Practice Group. In this discussion, she reflects on growing-up in Center Township, Pennsylvania, attending Bucknell University for undergrad and earning her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. Lisa discusses the unique legal education she received at Northeastern as well as her decision to join a firm after law school instead of focusing on public interest law as she initially planned. She also discusses her decision to pivot her legal practice from a construction litigation focus to the transactional side of construction with a focus on big stadium projects. Finally, Lisa gives wonderful advice on the importance of trusting your journey.

This episode features a conversation with special guest Akshay Verma. Akshay is COO at Spotdraft. In this discussion he details a path that began in New Delhi, India. He reflects on a childhood passion for sports and pop culture and details his journey, including his decision to attend UC Berkeley for undergrad, working as a paralegal in big law before attending Santa Clara University School of Law, and then beginning his career as an environmental lawyer. Akshay reflects on pivoting from legal practice to the business side of law, including the years he spent as the head of legal operations a Meta. Akshay reflects on the role of legal operations professionals and gives wonderful advice on the importance of embracing feedback.

This episode features a conversation with Frank Pasquesi. Frank is the managing partner of Foley’s Chicago office, where he focuses on health care and business litigation. In this discussion, he reflects on growing up in Highland Park, Illinois, attending Northwestern University for undergrad and earning his J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Frank shares the lessons he’s learned over 30 years of legal practice, including a number of years spent as in-house counsel. He also discusses the benefits and responsibilities of his role as Chicago office managing partner. Finally, Frank gives wonderful advice on the importance of new lawyers being confident in their work.

This episode of The Path & The Practice features a conversation with Nathan Reardon a summer associate with Foley’s Los Angeles office. In this discussion, Nathan reflects on growing up in Placentia, California, before attending the University of Southern California for undergrad and UCLA School of Law. Nathan discusses the nearly five years he spent working for PepsiCo and Keurig Dr. Pepper before attending law school. Nathan also reflects on his decision to attend law school and on his experience as a summer associate with Foley. Finally, Nathan provides wonderful advice on the importance of asking questions.