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Cohen & Malad LLP
Southern Illinois University Law School, 2015
Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?
I am privileged to be a fourth-generation attorney, so I was introduced to the legal profession at a very early age. When I was little, I remember going to my dad’s law office to change uniforms between Little League games. As I grew older, I saw the impact my dad had on people’s lives by assisting them through their legal issues. On my mom’s side, there were doctors and nurses, which reinforced my desire to help people. However, science was not my forte.
If you hadn’t pursued a legal career, what would you be doing?
Food and sports are two things I am passionate about, so I would likely be doing something in one of those industries. I nearly went to culinary school after my first two years of college, and my undergraduate degree was in sports management.
Who is someone who has inspired you in your career?
My dad, Rob Thomas, inspired me to enter the legal profession and he, my mom, Shelly, and the rest of my family have been a constant source of inspiration and support. Additionally, I am inspired every day by mentors, friends and colleagues who support me and push me to be better.
What makes a good lawyer/judge?
Obviously, any good lawyer or judge should be intelligent, hard-working and must possess the ability to communicate effectively. I believe the truly great attorneys and judges are also thoughtful, compassionate, humble and kind.
What is something you wish people knew about lawyers?
I wish people knew that lawyers are a lot of fun to be around. While it is true that lawyers work a lot and deal with serious issues, we also like to have a good time outside of the office.
Tell us about a “lesson learned” moment you’ve had in your career.
I wouldn’t call it a “lesson learned” as much as an experience that changed my outlook on life. I grew up in a middle-class, majority-white neighborhood on the southside of Indianapolis and lived a very privileged life. When I became a public defender, my eyes were opened to the injustices that exist in our society and the need to work toward a more inclusive and just society.
Tell us something surprising about you.
Many people seem surprised at my commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. This is a topic that I am extremely passionate about, and I am committed to continuing to work with others to ensure that our profession and our society [are] more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Show up. It is one thing to say you support someone or something, but it is quite another to show it. Social media has made it incredibly easy to post messages of support without having to do much. However, consistently showing up for people, organizations, causes and the like are more memorable and can have a major impact.
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