What drew you to the law?
Growing up with only one family member who had even attended college, I wanted to learn about the law to be better informed in my life and for others I care about. By the time I applied to law school, I had become enchanted with workplace issues as a front-line manager of several employees. Because of that interest, I entered law school also pursuing a dual degree with a master’s in Human Resources and Industrial and Labor Relations.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I enjoy helping people in general, and helping them to learn workplace law always represents an enjoyable experience for me. Seeing students you have taught grow into successful attorneys is one of the most rewarding experiences a law professor can have.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
Because so few people are represented by attorneys in workplace disputes, it is an area of the law that many practitioners may migrate to and dabble in due to the opportunities. This area of practice is demanding, and students need to develop specific expertise to be successful. Therefore, I try to give students as much practical exposure to help them recognize when they need to engage more experienced co-counsel.
What did you do prior to entering academia?
I worked for a Fortune 500 company as a front-line manager directly supervising more than twenty employees. While in law school, I worked for a corporation’s legal department and a firm representing labor unions. Then I worked for two large law firms in their labor and employment practices. Lastly, I finished my legal practice working as an associate — and eventually OF counsel — for a labor and employment law boutique firm.
What are you passionate about outside of the law?
Because I grew up in Chicago, I am passionate about all of their professional sports teams. Because I went to the University of Southern California, I am passionate about their football team. And because my mother graduated from the University of Louisville, I am passionate about their basketball team.
What are your research interests?
My research focuses on understanding the legal implications related to resolving workplace disputes. I also like to explore the intersection of race and alternatives to the court resolution process as those matters correlate with workplace legal concerns.