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In Vault's Practice Area Resource Centers, among other things, we highlight Q&As from various attorneys employed at law firms who have ranked for prestige in the relevant practice area. In this series, we will highlight some answers from attorneys at ranked firms regarding what their typical day is like working in a given practice area. Today, we feature some answers from our Litigation Practice Area Resource Center.
Lauren Roberta Kennedy, Partner, Cravath: "It runs the gamut, but I do a lot of meeting and speaking with clients. Alongside being a litigator and handling active cases—meaning, I spend a lot of time with judges, their special matters, and referees—I am also very much involved in my clients’ day-to-day business activities. As a result, I spend a good amount of my time either on the phone or emailing clients, helping them not only with ongoing litigation but also their potential litigation-related business needs as well. I am also in constant communication with my associates on projects, whether that involves comments on a brief, strategizing on case discovery, or providing thoughts on a deposition outline. I find this feedback and mentorship role particularly satisfying in teaching the next generation here at the firm."
Charlotte Baigent, Associate & Scott Danner, Partner, Holwell Shuster:
"Scott: This certainly hasn’t been true of my whole career, but for the past year, my typical day has been going to court or to an arbitration hearing. I haven’t done the math, but I bet I’ve been in court or an arbitration more weekdays than not! When I’m not doing that, I’m advising clients, working on briefs, and doing my best to help our associates become better lawyers. A lot of the really fun strategizing and mentoring happens sitting together in our (single) office.
Charlotte: The rhythm of my work changes from one month to the next. One month, I could be flying around the country taking and defending depositions. The next month, I could be drafting motions and appellate briefs. I enjoy this diversity of experiences; I make an effort to have both a pre-trial case and an appeal on my docket each year, along with meaningful pro bono work."
Kelsey Bryan & Chris Domingo, Partners, Jones Day:
"Kelsey: Every day is different, depending on where my cases are in the litigation process. Some days, I am negotiating the details of discovery with opposing counsel and preparing a motion to compel; other days, I am taking the deposition of a key witness; and on others, I am preparing for argument on a summary judgment motion. Most days I get to collaborate with great colleagues on case strategy, whether in-person, in the office, or by video with folks across the country and the world.
Chris: The stage of the most pressing case on my docket usually dictates what I do during a “typical” day. If it’s in the early stages, there’s usually a focus on overall strategy and case management. As the case progresses, the focus shifts to discovery, motion practice, and finding ways to limit the opposing party’s claims or defenses. On a good day, we spend time in the courtroom presenting our client’s position to a judge or jury. Regardless of the case, there’s typically time spent on various administrative tasks and business development."
Thomas Schubert & Sara Tofighbakhsh, Associates, MoloLamken:
"Sara: Reflecting the diversity of MoloLamken’s caseload, there is no “typical” day at the office. One week, I draft summary judgment briefs under an expedited schedule. Another week, I fly across the country to take a deposition. Every month has a different focus that depends not only on the demands of my cases at the time but also on the enormous level of responsibility we are entrusted with as associates. We contribute to both the tactics and the strategy of our cases. Sometimes, this means spending days in deep legal research to draft the first cut of an appellate brief. Other times, this means assembling witness deposition lists with an eye on their strategic importance at trial. The common thread is that every single task I perform pushes the case forward."
Anwar Graves, Partner, O'Melveny: "While no day is ever the same, I usually spend my time counseling clients on urgent questions or case updates, working on trial or appellate briefs, conducting witness interviews, performing fact development, or planning deposition or trial strategy. I like the variety because it keeps things fresh and exciting."
Halley Josephs & Mark Musico, Partners, Susman Godfrey: "Nothing is “typical.” On any given day, we might be arguing in court, examining witnesses at trial, writing or revising a brief, taking or defending depositions, conferring with opposing counsel, running internal team strategy meetings, or reviewing documents. As partners, we’re also vetting new potential cases on a regular basis.
We’re also actively involved in the management of our firm. Specifically, we run our firm’s Docket Committee, which means we’re keeping up on the status and needs of cases across the firm and the availability, skills development, and practice interests of associates across the firm."
Ariana Scavetti, Partner, Weil: "A typical day in complex litigation is a mix of research, writing and strategy. The bread and butter of our work is understanding the statutes and case law that shape our clients’ obligations and then using this knowledge to persuade a court that our client’s position is the right one. We spend a lot of time drafting briefs, motions, and other written work because clear, persuasive writing is at the heart of effective advocacy. The best quality for a litigator is to be a good storyteller, and we spend every day working to refine our client’s story to make sure we are advancing their goals."
Neil Alacha & Allison Walter, Associates, Wilkinson Stekloff:
"Allison: There really is no typical day for trial court litigation. Depending on the stage of the case, a day could include researching a tough legal question, preparing a deposition outline, writing a motion, prepping a witness for examination, or appearing in court. The variety of work involved in this type of practice keeps things interesting.
Neil: What’s typical is that nothing is typical (and that’s just the way I like it). Assuming I am not at trial or in a deposition or hearing, I usually have two or three meetings with a client or witness or am in a team strategy meeting. I’m usually working on a deposition or trial examination outline, researching or writing on an issue, writing a legal memo for the team, or preparing slides for a mock jury exercise."
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