Why did you choose to start your legal career at Ropes & Gray?

I chose to continue my legal career at Ropes & Gray because of the dedicated people and the open and accepting work culture. The firm is always looking for ways to make employees feel comfortable, welcome and appreciated. Each person I meet truly loves their work and is always eager to push their boundaries by learning something new or thinking through a nuanced topic. Collaboration and teamwork are always at the center of every interaction. My colleagues and supervisors are incredible teachers and mentors who have provided the balanced space for me to be part of their teams and succeed individually.  

How has Ropes & Gray helped you build a career as a lawyer?

I have received much support from the attorney development team. The team has worked to understand my interests and ensure that I am exposed to a variety of work assignments. The team also provides associates with awesome training opportunities that are always timely and easily applicable. One of my favorite trainings was the corporate second-year retreat, where all of the second-year corporate associates came together in Boston and participated in training sessions that focused on crucial skills like time management, delegation and accounting principles. Not only was it nice to meet associates from across the firm’s offices in person, but I also brushed up on skills that I could apply to my work right away. 

After I was accepted as a summer associate, I found out I had been chosen as one of the firm’s Trimmier diversity scholars. It has been very helpful and comforting knowing other Black and Indigenous People of Color attorneys who understand the complexities of navigating this profession. Meeting each other at the beginning of our time at the firm provides a sense of community and connects us with BIPOC allies. I feel comfortable calling other scholars from my year or prior years if I don’t know who to talk to or I need guidance on how to handle a situation. Now I reach out to new scholars with help, tips and tricks I learned along the way so that they’re prepared and have someone to reach out to as well.

.

Tell us about a memorable matter you’ve worked on.

Some of the most exciting matters that I have worked on at Ropes & Gray are the COVID-19 response matters, particularly my work with companies and laboratories directing or conducting diagnostic testing at drive-through sites or other similar specimen collection centers across the nation. 

So much of health care work is split between federal and state policy. Our work on COVID-19 matters required analysis under both frameworks. Since we were under a public health emergency, many actions were undertaken to waive, suspend or modify long-existing policies to ensure that health care providers and laboratories had the flexibility to address the pandemic. These modifications added an additional challenge to the work. I also had to think beyond immediate needs and research other issues that could arise at any point, such as liability immunity provisions, scope of practice issues and corporate practice of medicine implications.

In one case, a client planned to build up a laboratory in an accelerated time frame and immediately receive specimens from all over the country. I had to very quickly get up to speed on the applicable laws and produce material that could help the laboratory begin testing for COVID-19. While this was a great undertaking, it was actually one of the most impactful matters I have been a part of at Ropes & Gray. I joined an incredible team of colleagues and mentors who took the time to teach me best practices and really pushed me to hone my skills.    

Tell us about a pro bono matter you’ve worked on.

I helped with health care regulatory, compliance and corporate governance work for a rehabilitation center serving low-income substance use disorder patients. I had the opportunity to work with other associates and partners across offices and practice groups. I also take pride in the fact that our work allowed the client to focus on better serving its patient community while maintaining a structured compliance program. 

How would you describe the firm’s culture?

The firm’s culture is engaging—people are constantly pursuing top-quality outcomes for the firm’s clients. At the same time, the firm’s culture is also fun and exciting because everyone seems personable, helpful and humble when approaching others. 

What tips would you offer to a potential applicant?

My number one tip is to be yourself and engage with every person at the firm with enthusiasm, energy and curiosity. Ultimately, your materials and your interview(s) should demonstrate that you are interested in Ropes & Gray for a specific reason, and that you have a story to tell.