Associate Attorney // Malman Law
Description of your practice
I am a 3-year associate, focusing on medical malpractice and long-term care litigation in Cook County. I also assist with probate matters, including decedent’s estates and minor/adult guardianships.
Why are you a member of the WBAI?
I became a member of the WBAI while I was in law school. However, I became more actively involved once I graduated law school because I am not a native to Chicago or Illinois. Law was a second career, so it was important to meet like-minded women who were driven, passionate, and approachable for assistance. WBAI has been such an incremental organization that has fostered both my business and personal relationships, and I hope I can pay-it-forward the way it has assisted me in my practice.
What do you think is the best way to empower women in law?
One of the best ways to empower women is to be supportive and encourage women in the workplace, as well as foster and mentor other females. I think that women pose different and unique challenges, and by being welcoming and open to building new relationships, it enhances your ability to promote women in law.
As a female attorney, you have to balance the perception that you are stern but not forceful, you are vocal but not aggressive, you are passionate but not intimidating; at times, its fine line. But to have the opportunity to discuss and communicate (and exchange war stories), it reinforces the fact that you are not alone in this legal journey. Knowing that it makes it easier to stand-up, call things out, and be an advocate for yourself and other women in law.
What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally/professionally?
This year has been interesting to say the least. With many travel plans canceled or postponed, I am actually looking forward to more quiet/me time. This environment has given me an opportunity to focus on my mental health, meditation, and physical activity, which has given me peace and clarity that I did not recognize was missing.
Tell us something interesting about you.
Prior to going to law school, I was a cabana/cocktail server at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Tao Group for a few years. Working in the Las Vegas service industry, it gave me a tough backbone and even tougher skin, given the 100-degree heat I worked in. It was a fun and crazy adventure, but when I made the decision to retire my swimsuit and head to law school, I never looked back.