Discovery with Sara C. Valentine

If you were in my office, you’d … wonder how I can find anything under the mounds of paper stacked on my desk.

My colleagues would be surprised to know that … I hoard pens. I picked up this habit when I was a server and bartender, because I had to use my own. Now, even though we have a vast supply of pens, I still take as many as I can find! 

The lawyer I most admire is … Hillary Clinton.

My pre-trial routine … includes walk-up music. As I prepare, I listen to songs that motivate me and pump up my mood. A couple of songs right now are “I Got Mine” by The Black Keys, and “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 

My career high point (so far) has been … writing a brief for a case before the United States Supreme Court—Minvielle v. Atlantic Refining Co. 

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a dog walker.

When I win a case, I celebrate by … taking the afternoon or evening off to relax outside and have a glass (or several glasses) of wine.

The SCOTUS decision I’d overturn is … Citizens United.

My favorite Twitter feed is … @BeingNOLA. Every week, the handle is given to a new New Orleanian with a different background, different perspective and different interests. It’s interesting to see a wide variety of views on living in my city. 

I can’t believe more people haven’t read … Gone Girl.

The book I just don’t get is … any cookbook.

My fictional hero is … Clarice Starling.

My real life hero is … Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

My most bizarre talent is … finding the perfect meme for any situation.

The craziest thing I witnessed in a courtroom is … watching a judge yell at a female attorney in front of a full courtroom—and refuse to hear her case—because of what she was wearing: a flower-print dress.

My earliest memory is … my older sister talking me into jumping off of our stereo, which led to a broken foot.

The three people I’d invite to dinner are … Barack Obama, Tony La Russa and Nicki Minaj.

I wish I had invented … the koozie.

If I had a morning show, my co-host would be … my friend Michael Kennedy, who is a criminal defense attorney. He is also my running buddy, concert buddy and the person I get into trouble with the most. 

The last TV show I binge-watched was … Stranger Things. I’m so glad they renewed it for another season.

My guilty pleasure is … macaroni and cheese.

The NOLA cuisine item I can’t live without is … charbroiled oysters.

My motto is … “I got this.”

My favorite song lyric is … “Who runs the world? Girls!” – Beyoncé