BANG co-founder Jessica L. Conklin is not throwing away her shot

My nickname is … Jess, but to my two sisters, I’m Jie Jie (“older sister” in Cantonese).    

I can’t go a day without … my cellphone. I say it’s just for professional reasons, and I’m sticking to that.

If you were in my office, you’d … notice that my walls are covered in beautiful artwork created by my 4-year-old son. 

My colleagues would be surprised to know … that I used to play Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. 

When I was a newbie lawyer … and only associate at my firm, I craved peer interaction, so a friend and I started a networking group called the Boston Associates’ Networking Group (BANG).

The quality I most like in a lawyer is … the ability to problem-solve with compassion using active listening.

When I started, I wish I knew … the importance of projecting confidence inside and outside the firm. 

My career high point (so far) has been … working with my colleagues to achieve successful results in Title IX investigations and dismissals of criminal charges.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I’d be … a graphic designer or photographer.

When I win a case, I celebrate by … encouraging my clients to keep in touch, because nothing makes me happier than hearing about all the amazing things they go on to accomplish.

The SCOTUS decision I’d overturn is … Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

I can’t believe more people haven’t read … The Rules of Criminal Procedure, it’s a real page-turner.

The talent I wish I had is … to be multilingual.

The three people I’d invite to dinner are … Jane Austen, Audrey Hepburn and John Lennon.

On weekends I … disconnect from work and spend time with friends and family.

My favorite podcast is … The Title IX and Civil Rights Podcast. It’s actually the only one I listen to. I’m open
to recommendations. 

My favorite song lyric is … “You live, you learn. You love, you learn. You cry, you learn. You lose, you learn” from “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette, and featured in the musical Jagged Little Pill, which was incredible.

If I had a time machine, I would … go back and ask the founding fathers for a little more clarity on the Second Amendment.

My guilty pleasure is … ordering a massive ice cream sundae from The Scoop ‘N Scootery.

The last TV show I binge-watched was … Heartstopper, a show based on a graphic novel series of the same name. Who wouldn’t love a show described as “a warm hug”?

My courtroom walk-up song would be … “My Shot” by Lin-Manuel Miranda from Hamilton.

The craziest thing I witnessed in a courtroom is … an epic opening statement by defense counsel that turned the prosecution’s case on its head. Soon after, the felony charges were dismissed and the company pled guilty to a single misdemeanor count. 

On my best day I … can’t stop smiling.