Discovery with Jody A. Corrales

My nickname is …  Jojo, but only my close family and friends call me this.

If you were in my office, you’d … admire my University of Arizona basketball signed by Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire and the 1997 national championship team.

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I won a Selena look-alike contest my sophomore year in high school.

The lawyer I most admire is … my partner, Michael Urman. He graduated first in his law school class, was editor-in-chief of the law review and is smart as a whip, but is the most down-to-earth person you’ll ever meet.

The quality I most like in a lawyer is … analytic ability.

My career high point (so far) has been … being nominated by two local bankruptcy judges to participate in the prestigious National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Next Generation Program. I was one of 40 young bankruptcy attorneys nationwide selected to participate.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The SCOTUS justice I’d like to meet is … Sonia Sotomayor. Actually, I was recently privileged with the honor to meet her on January 23, 2017. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

The SCOTUS decision I’d overturn is … Bush v. Gore.

A different practice area that intrigues me is … patent law, but I know I could never grasp the technical aspect of the practice.

I can’t believe more people haven’t read … Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 

My real-life hero is … my mom. She raised me and my brother as a single parent with only a high school diploma, and gave us a fantastic life. She taught us that anything is possible if you just believe. 

My courtroom walk-up song would be … “Started from the Bottom” by Drake.

I get angry when … I see injustice and there is nothing I can do about it.

On my best day I … feel grateful that I get paid for doing what I do.

On my worst day I … feel as if the world is out to get me.

My motto is … “Adapt and overcome.”

The craziest thing I witnessed in a courtroom is … a pro se debtor somehow called in to the courtroom’s open line—reserved for parties and attorneys appearing telephonically—to ask questions about reinstating his previously dismissed bankruptcy case. He started cursing [at] someone standing next to him, completely unaware that everyone could hear him and that there were live court proceedings going on.

The movie line I quote most often is … anything from Legally Blonde. Gotta love Elle Woods.

I wish I had invented … Post-its. Just kidding, but I do like Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion.

The book I just don’t get is … the Harry Potter series.

Nothing cheers me up like … watching my Arizona Wildcats win.

If I won the lottery I’d … continue practicing law. I truly love what I do.