1. When did you first decide you wanted to be a lawyer?
I decided I wanted to become a lawyer my third year at the University of Virginia while taking a Psychology and Law course. The focus of the course was trial work - I loved the arguments and the strategy that went into creating a case. My professor suggested law school as an idea and it quickly became a passion.
2. Explain the importance of representing injured persons in your practice and in your life.
As a plaintiff’s attorney, it is a privilege to represent and help injured people every day. I understand that suffering an injury or losing a loved one due to the negligence of another is devastating and causes immeasurable hardship and stress. As a plaintiff’s attorney, I am in a position improve a client’s life – to change the trajectory of their circumstances. Whether it’s a small or large change, this is powerful motivation to give the best representation possible
3. How did you first become involved in the AAJ New Lawyers Division?
I was first introduced to a wonderful group of New Lawyers by my colleague, Melissa Hague. We were at a Board of Governors meeting in DC and attended a lively dinner after a very successful phonathon. I followed up with Alexa D’Amato, the NLD president, and was immediately involved from that point forward.
4. What benefits have you received by your involvement in the AAJ New Lawyers Division?
Being involved in the NLD feels like I work for a big firm. The diverse membership provides a forum for getting reliable information in a broad variety of practice areas and jurisdictions – there’s always someone with the answer, or at least who can point you in the right direction. Each NLD members’ commitment to advocacy, quality, and success is admirable; and their willingness to help a fellow lawyer is unfaltering. The NLD is like a fraternity for trial lawyers - there’s a common bond whether you know another New Lawyer personally or merely by association. Not to mention, it’s always a guaranteed good time when we get together.
5. Do you have a mentor? If so, who is it and how has your mentor played a role in your professional development?
I am fortunate enough to work for one of the finest, and most demanding, trial attorneys in Philadelphia, Sol Weiss, and consider him a tremendous mentor. Many young attorneys learn by one of three techniques: (1) by example; (2) by mistake; and (3) by hard work. Thankfully with Sol at the lead, I have learned much more by example and hard work. I am grateful for the successes and the guidance.
6. What is the most memorable moment of your career?
There have been many memorable moments in my career – some funny, some horrifying, and some very uplifting. I have undoubtedly learned lessons from all of my experiences. One of my favorite, more lighthearted memories was during a large case status conference at City Hall in Philadelphia. There were over 25 attorneys in attendance. A discovery issue needed reconciling and an attorney passed the judge an e-mail explaining the issue. Without paying mind to the content of the e-mail, the judge – who was a female – immediately noticed that the e-mail was addressed ‘Dear Gents.’ Completely appalled by this, the judge asked the author of the e-mail to stand and she then pointed out every female attorney in the room and every female attorney copied on the e-mail. The exercise lasted a few minutes, but the message resounded a lifetime. Lesson learned: address all e-mails to ‘Counselors’ to avoid similar humiliation in the future.
7. What advice do you have to give to other new lawyers?
One of my favorite quotes, and pieces of advice, is from Thomas Jefferson: “Were we to act but in cases where no contrary opinion of a lawyer can be had, we should never act.” It reminds me that there will always be two sides of an argument and there is no such thing as an easy case – the controversy is what drives litigation. So no matter what arguments defendants throw at you, there are always arguments – and in my opinion, better arguments – in response. Despite the fact that our profession thrives on disputes, it does not mean we can’t work together. Some of the best trial attorneys I have seen are able to balance working with defense counsel, as opposed to working against defense counsel, in a way to move a case forward, minimize controversy, and drive resolution.
8. What are your practice areas?
My practice focuses on pharmaceutical and medical device mass tort cases as well as general personal injury work. In the past two years, a great deal of my time has been devoted to a civil rights class action - what the media has dubbed the ‘Kids for Cash Scandal.’ We represent the juveniles who appeared in a court where the judges were receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks for sending the kids to two private detention centers. This unthinkable scheme has diversified my practice and constantly presents new challenges.
9. What other information would you like to share with other new lawyers?
The practice of law gets better with time – you know more law, the rules become second nature, and the nuances of certain judges and jurisdictions become less intimidating. Most importantly, you develop personal and professional relationships with other attorneys that will constantly assist you throughout your career.
About Adrianne:
Name: Adrianne E. Walvoord
Firm: Anapol Schwartz
Address: 1710 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Phone: (215) 825-3211
Email: awalvoord@anapolschwartz.com
Participation in AAJ: NLD Website Committee and Document Library Committee; co-host for NLD Regional Dinner Event in Philadelphia; NLD Board of Governors; participant in regional AAJ phonathon; planning committee for the Women’s Summit at Convention 2010; participant Women’s Caucus Lobby Days; and Women’s Caucus Representative to the AAJ Board of Governors.
