She Rises Up to the Challenge of her Rival

My nickname is … Sarbear. Or as my dad simply calls me, “The Bear.”

I can’t go a day without … reading the news, even though it’s generally depressing as hell.

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … despite how foul-mouthed I am, I’m actually super-sensitive and often take things too personally.

When I was a newbie lawyer I … prosecuted child-deprivation cases as a special assistant attorney general. It was an amazing opportunity to be in court every day and was an invaluable learning experience.

The lawyer I most admire is … a retired attorney here in Atlanta named John Sweet. He’s the quintessential fighter for the underdog and sincerely believes there is nothing you can’t do if you want to.

The qualities I most like in a lawyer are … humility and a good sense of humor. Self-deprecation doesn’t hurt, either.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a doctor. I couldn’t “do” math growing up, so organic chemistry put a damper on any thoughts of going to medical school. Now I think I’d just suffer through it.

The SCOTUS justice I’d most like to meet is … The RBG. I’ll gladly sacrifice my organs for her if she requires them to keep going.

The SCOTUS decision I’d most like to overturn is … Citizens United. Democracy was a great little experiment while it lasted.

My courtroom walkup music would be … “Eye of the Tiger.” I used to swing around my four-poster bedpost to the song when I was around 5 years old, so it brings back memories.

My favorite word is … F **k. You can use it in almost any situation. I usually do.

A different practice area that intrigues me is … international criminal law. I had originally wanted to work for the International Criminal Court in The Hague, but it turns out those jobs are reserved for very smart people. 

On weekends I … spend time with friends, my husband and my most favorite thing in the world: my daughter, Adeline.

My favorite meal is … a hot dog or grilled cheese. I have the refined palate of a 5-year-old boy.

I get angry when … people are apathetic and self-absorbed. Compassion and empathy should be required courses in life. 

The movie line I quote most often is … almost any line from Wedding Crashers.

The last TV show I binge-watched was … Handmaid’s Tale.

When I started, I wish I knew … not to take most things too seriously. It’s called the practice of law for a reason. You should continue to learn something new each day if you’re doing it right, and especially when you end up doing it wrong.

The most annoying thing about my job is … when an insurance company and their attorney have zero f**ks to give about how their delay and denials of medical treatment and/or income benefits result in a human cost for my clients. I’ve had clients who have lost their homes, vehicles, etc., when they suffer a legitimate work-related injury and the insurance company screws around with them.