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Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 2020

Emily Ward If you could make one change to help medical school from Washington University women at work, what would it be? Ensure in St. Louis. I grew up always loving the art Litigation, that all women, not just partners or even of medicine and learning how the human Associate attorneys, have the flexibility we need so system worked and reacted. My law Atlanta that we can accomplish everything we practice started by protecting hospitals, do professionally, personally, and in our doctors, and nurses and now it allows communities. Although it’s common to hear me to continue researching and learning Emily Ward is an of those at the top of their field working various medical topics while defending our Associate in the Litigation Practice of something other than 9-5 or somewhere companies in major tort actions. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Emily other than their desk, but it’s not as specializes in white-collar defense and common for those on the lower echelons of Who is a woman in history that inspired civil litigation including healthcare, professional life. Whether it’s working from you? I grew up wanting to be like Amelia business and environmental litigation, home one day a week, working a modified Earhart: fearless, brave and adventuring. as well as administrative and regulatory schedule on Tuesdays so you can be the Ms. Earhart had an early passion and matters. den mom for your kid’s scout troop, or commitment, yet the world told her no. In working 8-4 because your commute is just the end, she died doing what she loved Who is a woman in history that inspired terrible, those types of accommodations while making a bold statement. you? The Notorious . can enhance someone’s work life and She’s tenacious, brilliant, and a game- create happier, more productive, and more What career advice would you give your changer for women lawyers. I so admire loyal employees. younger self? Be easy on yourself. At her ability to work with and empathize with the beginning of your career, it is easy to those she disagrees with philosophically – What do you enjoy doing in your spare focus too much on the negatives: what I that kind of professionalism is often lacking time? My husband is the chef/owner of our should have said at the hearing, why did I and her friendship with the late Justice restaurants, Southern Belle and Georgia write that, how can I get that client to like Scalia, in particular, is an inspiration. Boy, so I help out with a lot of the behind me more? What I didn’t realize at the time the scenes work whenever I can. I have a was that those early years were about What career advice would you give your business mind and entrepreneurial streak learning lessons and the real growth comes younger self? Go take a government job as so the whole process is fun. I also love from making mistakes. Mistakes can be a public defender or assistant prosecutor going to both spaces with my friends, a powerful drive for young women, but for the first couple of years out of school. family, and colleagues to show it off and sometimes a little grace helps too. Yes, the money will be terrible and make it do a little “quality control” – those cocktails hard to pay back loans, but the experience aren’t going to try themselves! Did you have a mentor? If so, how did you’ll get will be worth it in the end. they encourage you in your career? I was lucky enough to have several mentors. Did you have a mentor? If so, how did Jill Bechtold Some were lawyers but many were not. they encourage you in your career? While the words may have been different I am fortunate enough to have two! SGR Litigation, Partner from each, the same message came from Partners, Tony Cochran and Tom Beaver, Jacksonville them all: build on your talents to achieve have taken it upon themselves to include success. They taught me too many of us me in all types of client matters, treat me try to emulate other successful people. in private and in front of the clients like I Jill Bechtold is a Partner However, your skillset and talents may be am their equal, and go out of their way to in the Litigation Practice vastly different. My mentors understood ensure our clients and colleagues hear of Smith, Gambrell & that an individual using their strengths to about my successes big and small. They Russell, LLP. Jill specializes in the area the best of their advantage will always be also have encouraged me to be active in of civil litigation focusing on medical and the most successful. My mentors were also the state and local Bars so that my peers professional liability defense, employment the best at just listening to my concerns, a see me as a leader in the legal community. disputes, product liability defense, rare trait sometimes in people. Although these activities take me out of business litigation, trucking litigation and the office – and can decrease the billable insurance defense. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Doing anything with my children. hours I get in the short term – they are wise Why did you choose your practice area? enough to realize the work I do now will They are the funniest and most perfect My middle name comes from my great- people that I know! return as clients and referrals in the years grandmother, Faye Cashatt Lewis, who to come. was one of the first women to graduate The Women of Smith, Gambrell & Russell

Marsha Ajhar Danielle Comanducci Ellen Fontanella Intellectual Property Real Estate Aviation Gadget Girl Franco-American Globetrotter Fly Girl

Laura M. Andrew Jessica Cowin Simone Ford Health Care Litigation Litigation Green Thumb

Susan Atkinson Audria Crain Emily Friedman Health Care Corporate ERISA Semi-Pro Singer/Actor Essay-Contest Winner & Runner Lover of Beaches & Interior Design

Amanda Attensaio Amy Croft Chloe Furfine Real Estate Litigation Litigation My Mother’s Daughter Avid Shutterbug

Jill Bechold Cassandra Daum Nicole Godani Litigation Litigation Corporate Future World Traveler Political Enthusiast & Volleyball Player

Elizabeth Blakely Alexandra Davidson Sarah Gordon Corporate Corporate Litigation Book Reader Aspiring Avenger (Iron Woman) Northern New Englander

Priscilla Bonsu Melissa Dearing Alyson Graham Corporate Immigration Private Wealth Services Globe Trotter/ Free Spirit Survivor Handywoman Extraordinaire

Elizabeth Borland Sharon Duvall Sasha Greenberg Intellectual Property Real Estate Litigation Chorister Boating Beauty Beyoncé’s Inspiration

Amy Buice Anne Edwards Amy Heppner Litigation Litigation ERISA Sun Worshiper Cross Country Mom

Danielle Burnette Marcia Ernst Akiyo Hewett Litigation Litigation International Cocktail Connoisseur & Fashion Fanatic Lake Life Lover Loving Wife & Mother

Lisa Carrasco Shani Smith Fisher Nicole Kalkines ERISA Aviation Litigation Mother of Twin Girls Mother of Dragons Brunch Enthusiast Susie Kim Chloe Orta Immigration Litigation Intrepid Wayfarer

Teri King Anne Pitter ERISA Corporate/Real Estate Mom of Twin Boys Aspiring Photojournalist

Simone Kraus Dexterrie Ramirez International Real Estate Language Enthusiast & Guitar Player Martha Stewart in Training

Holly Lance Dana Richens Intellectual Property Litigation Momma Strong Training for Wimbledon

Indhira LaPuma Angela Roberts Intellectual Propertyt ERISA Curious Wanderer Bargain Hunter

Jennifer Lawson Kate Rowe Litigation Intellectual Property - Entertainment Mom to Bubbling Baby Boy Butterfly and Bird Feeder

Morgan Manley Vickie Rusek Litigation Environmental Litigation Art Enthusiast Road Tripper

Dana Mark Terry Schwartz Private Wealth Services Corporate Outer Space Enthusiast Low Country Girl

Erin McCallum Leah Ward Sears Corporate Litigation / Trials & Appeals Competitive Tennis Player Fashionista

Jamey Medlin Julie Sebastian ERISA Corporate Mom of Boys Sports Nut

Kelly Meyers Laleh Sharifi ERISA Immigration Peloton Enthusiast Avid Hiker

Ansly Moyer Tori Silas Bond and Public Finance Corporate Wine and Chocolate Enthusiast New Wife & Cool Stepmom

Amy Nicotra Real Estate and Corporate Ice Cream Enthusiast

SGR’s Women’s Initiative affinity group is committed to the advancement of professional women. SGR recognizes the importance of retaining women in the workplace, fostering stronger relationships, and providing added value to its business and social communities. For the Firm’s women attorneys, the Women’s Initiative focuses on mentoring and providing resources to hone the skills necessary for career advancement. For the Firm’s women clients, contacts, and friends, it aims to create opportunities to network and programs to educate about important legal and social issues. The Women of Smith, Gambrell & Russell

Robin Silberzweig Melanie Walker Svetlana Zagorina Real Estate Litigation Tax MacGyver-like Problem Solver Jamaican Queen Artist at Heart

Ariane Smith Jenny Wang Mina Zhan Litigation Corporate Corporate Arts Enthusiast Lifelong Learner

Lisa Smith Emily Ward Kathryn Zickert Real Estate Litigation Zoning Funny...sometimes Restauranteur and Dog Mom Flash Mob Dancer

Amanda Stangle Laura Wartner Corporate Private Wealth Services Delighted to be a Grandmother

Darlene Tzou Kristen Wenger Intellectual Property Litigation Climbing Dragon Boater Estate Sale Master

Atlanta • Austin • Jacksonville • London • Los Angeles • Miami • Munich • New York • Southampton, UK • Washington, D.C. Women’s History Month Trivia Take the quiz online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JLFM2HL

1. Who was 1st Woman delegate (not ambassador) to 7. Who was the youngest First Lady of the United the UN? States?

Eleanor Roosevelt Jackie Kennedy Michele Obama Billy Holiday Frances Cleveland

2. Who was the first woman to serve in the Presidential 8. This drag queen became a LGBT rights politically cabinet? engaged activist and is believed to have been a key figure in the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots in New York City. Irna Phillips In 2019, the city decided to erect a statue in her honor. Marsha P. Johnson Ellen Degeneres Judith Heumann 3. Although not a head of state, this much loved woman has been idealized in pop-culture and was given a state funeral and the title “Spiritual Leader 9. This woman became synonymous with the women’s of the Nation” by Argentina’s Congress in recognition movement in the 1970s. of her support of women’s suffrage, labor rights and social programs. Simone de Beauvoir Aretha Franklin Maria Eva Duarte de Peron Marilyn Monro 10. This woman has the distinction of being the first woman of color and the first Asian American elected to 4. Her memorable “Declaration of Conscience” speech the House of Representatives. to the US Senate in the McCarthy era defended each American’s “right to hold unpopular beliefs”.? Florence Griffith Joyner Lilly Ledbetter 11. How many female Supreme Court justices have there been in the 230 year history of the Supreme 5. The longest reigning queen in history is: Court and can you name them all?

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands 3 Queen Elizabeth II of England 4 Queen Victoria of England 5

6. This woman, born in Kiev Russia and raised in 12. This woman was the first woman Secretary of State. Milwaukee Wisconsin, served as foreign minister and then Prime Minister in her adopted homeland? Indira Gandhi Condoleezza Rice Corazon Aquino Golda Meir

We recommend for your reading pleasure and education Meet the all-female team working to create a COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland

Enjoy the read!