My Name is My Name

My nickname is … Nick Bed. Clever, huh?

I can’t go a day without … some form of physical activity. I get restless.

If you were in my office, you’d … think I have a nice view. You can see Truist Park.

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I’m a frequent painter. (I was a fine arts minor.)

When I was a newbie lawyer I … wanted a J-O-B. (I graduated during the recession of 2009.)

The quality I most like in a lawyer is … thoroughness. 

When I started, I wish I knew … there is beauty in the journey, not just the destination.

My career high point (so far) has been … winning a wrongful eviction case. I do pro bono for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. I helped a good person that day.

When I win a case, I celebrate by … probably calling my inner circle to share the experience. But there is always a new dragon to slay. 

The SCOTUS justice I’d most like to meet is … Justice Thurgood Marshall, followed by the Notorious RBG, followed by Justice Earl Warren. (I am eternally thankful for Brown v. Board of Education.)

My courtroom walkup music would be … Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement.” “Allow me to reintroduce myself” is a good substitute for “May it please the court.”

A different practice area that intrigues me is … civil rights.

My favorite Twitter feed is … Jemele Hill’s: @jemelehill.

I can’t believe more people haven’t read … The Great Gatsby for fiction, The Autobiography of Malcolm X for nonfiction.

My fictional hero is … Black Panther.

My real life heroes are … my parents.

On weekends I … go to the gym, paint, have quality time with friends and fam—including Robin, my dog.

My favorite meal is … Grass VBQ Joint’s vegan “chicken” sandwich is the best I ever had. 

I get angry when … someone lies on my name. “My name is my name.”

The craziest thing I witnessed in a courtroom is … this whole year in general. If you told me a few years ago that I would do an in-person hearing in an N95 and wearing rubber gloves, I would have looked at you like you were crazy.

My earliest memory is … Sesame Street.

My favorite song lyric is … “Never get high on your own supply.”

The movie line I quote most often is … not a movie, but the above quote from The Wire: “My name is my name.” I stand by that one. 

The three people I’d invite to dinner are … 44 (President Obama), Basquiat, and my dad.

If I had a time machine, I would … go forward not backward.

If I had a morning show, my co-host would be … Tamron Hall is solid.

My guilty pleasure is … gummy bears.

My favorite podcast is … The Breakfast Club.

My favorite news source is … Twitter of late, to be honest.

I’m inspired by … people who find success trusting their inner voice and have the courage and maturity to accept the consequences of taking that leap.

The question I’m tired of answering is … “Tell me about yourself.”