LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2023: Lynsey David

Lewis Wagner LLP
University of Kentucky College of Law, 2015

Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?

My path to the legal profession was a matter of right place, right time. After graduating high school, I started college as an education major. I quickly decided that I had no desire to go back to high school, and my mom made the quintessential, “You like to argue, you should be a lawyer,” statement. When I started college, someone told me about the undergrad mock trial program. I joined the program and was fortunate to make the travel team as a freshman. My friends were confused why I eagerly spent my weekends traveling to other colleges in a barely running university van, waking up super early, donning a suit, heels and pantyhose, and putting on three-hour presentations related to a fake case. But I fell in love with litigating and, as nerdy as it sounds, the rules of evidence — so from there my fate was sealed. 

Fun fact: The law wasn’t the only thing I fell in love with — I also met my husband through the mock
trial team.   

What makes a good lawyer/judge?

Empathy and adaptability — with at least a dash of efficiency.

What is something you wish people knew about lawyers?

We are not a monolith. I feel like people are always shocked to find out that I’m an attorney. I’m hoping this is because I come across as someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously, but it’s probably more because I am a “young” woman. There is no one way a lawyer looks, acts or is — we all come to the profession with our own unique qualities and life experiences. Someone’s age, gender, race or any other “unexpected” characteristic for a lawyer does not dictate their skill, intelligence or ability. While we still have major strides to make, our profession is wonderfully diverse and is hopefully continuing in that direction.  

How do you spend your free time?

I have an almost 4-year-old son who keeps me busy, so most weekends you can catch our family riding bikes, playing at parks in Greenwood or going to the Indianapolis Zoo. We’re also preparing to welcome another baby boy to our family in August. I have a love/hate relationship with working out, and recently rediscovered my love for reading — don’t tell me audiobooks don’t count! 

Do you have a secret talent?

Objection. Vague and ambiguous. (When in doubt, answer like a lawyer.) 

What drew you to transportation law, and what do you enjoy about it?

The answer to both questions is, hands down, the people — both the people I work with and the people I work for. I have been fortunate to have been taken under the wings of three giving and intentional mentors in Lewis Wagner’s Transportation Team (aka: #TeamTruck) and I love working alongside them. I am also fortunate that my practice includes working with a lot of the same clients and contacts, so not only do I get to help them solve problems and work to resolve cases, but I also get to know them on a personal level. It also didn’t take me long to understand and appreciate the importance of the transportation industry, and I feel proud to work with commercial carriers and drivers who are such an integral part of our society. 

I also love that my practice area is such a full circle moment, because I come from a family of truck drivers. My grandpa was a lifelong truck driver, and my grandma would go with him on his trips across the country. Growing up, I have so many memories of playing “house” in the sleeper of his tractor, trying on what must have been hundreds of “trucker” hats he collected over the years and watching him pull back into the driveway after a trip. Unfortunately, my grandpa passed away when I was in law school, but I think he would get a kick out of the fact that transportation has become my life’s work, too. 

Tell us about your work with GenderNexus.

I am a proud “Hoosier transplant,” and after getting settled into town and my practice, I started looking for ways to get involved in the community. In 2018, I discovered and joined the board of directors for GenderNexus, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that provides care coordination, counseling and community groups, and education and advocacy to and for the gender diverse community in Indiana. My work with GenderNexus has truly served as my passion project and has taught me so much professionally and personally. GenderNexus was my first nonprofit board experience and the organization itself was “small but mighty,” so I had to jump in head-first to learn about fundraising, board recruitment, strategic planning, partnership-building and governance during my GenderNexus work. 

The highlight of my time with GenderNexus includes the two years I served as the president of the board, which included having to find a new executive director for GenderNexus in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The perfect executive director was selected, which ensured the continuance of the organization’s vital mission and services during a turbulent time. Since then, she has grown the organization by leaps and bounds, including expanding GenderNexus’ funding, staff and services. I have also loved attending various community and Pride events and sharing the life-changing — and frankly, lifesaving — work that GenderNexus does and connecting with the folks that GenderNexus serves.

Unfortunately, GenderNexus has recently had to pivot from putting its limited resources into providing services for the community it serves to using those limited resources to advocate and try to protect that same community. The state Legislature has filed more than 20 bills this session targeting the right of transgender Hoosiers. GenderNexus is working hard, alongside other community partners, against these laws and would-be laws that threaten the very lives of gender diverse Hoosiers. I commend GenderNexus and the gender diverse community for their perseverance during these times and encourage allies to speak up not only with their voices, but with their wallets and voting power.

If you hadn’t pursued a legal career, what would you be doing?

Realistically, I’d probably be in some form of teaching — high school or college. However, I like to pretend that I’d be a very cool, laid-back yoga studio owner.

Who is someone who has inspired you in your career?

Forgive me, but I can’t choose just one. The first person who has inspired me in my career is Justice Steven David, my “uncle-in-law.” Even before I joined the David family, Steve was always there for advice, but also did not push any opinions onto me as I tried to find my place in the Indiana legal field. Seeing him both as my most adventurous family member and a thoughtful jurist has shown me that achieving your goals doesn’t have to mean abandoning yourself along the way. No one could ever list all the things Steve has done for his country, the state of Indiana, the legal profession or the countless individuals whom he has encountered. On top of all his accomplishments, he is one of the most giving, honorable and sincere people I have ever met. I am so thankful to have him as a friend, mentor and uncle and hope to be half the person and attorney that he is. 

Second, the women of Lewis Wagner have inspired me beyond measure. There’s a reason I’ve been a “lifer” at Lewis Wagner. While I have fantastic colleagues in general, the women of Lewis Wagner have become my closest confidants and fiercest supporters. These women have offered me patient mentoring, honest feedback and relentless support. I get to work with some of my best friends who not only keep me sane, but also motivated to do good work while keeping things in perspective. To be clear, this support has not just been from fellow attorneys, but from every position in our firm. For example, I consider my legal assistant the backbone of my practice and marvel at her grace and dedication. I don’t take for granted how special these relationships are and hope to be fortunate enough to have them my entire career. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

There have been two pieces of advice that have always stuck with me. The first was shared with me in the first few days after being sworn into the bar when I sent an overly formal email to an opposing counsel. The partner on the file explained that even in an email, I could just talk to the person on the other side; his words were something along the lines of, “Remember you have the same bar license as they do.” 

The second came on a difficult case a little later into my career when my colleague reminded me: “The facts of the case are the facts of the case.” On the surface, both statements seem obvious, but as someone who both lives for litigation and (warning: vulnerable admission coming) lives with an anxiety disorder, these pieces of advice help keep things in perspective. They remind me 1.) I am just as qualified and capable as anyone on the other side of a case, and 2.) there are simply some things that you can’t control in a case; focus on what you can control. And you can only control what you can control. •

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