Page 20 - Miami Vol 7 No 2
P. 20

2018 WOMEN IN LAW
JEANNETE C. LEWIS
A Higher Purpose
Lewis: I was fortunate to land a great position as a re- search attorney with a highly respected law  rm during my second year in law school. A er passing the Bar, they of- fered me an associate position. My mentor, Robert Parks, was amazing. He allowed me to work alongside him on air crash cases and cases involving injuries occurring at resorts around the world.
We litigated against some truly talented defense attor- neys with well capitalized clients. Since air crash litiga- tion usually involves multiple plainti s, I got to know and work with icons in the plainti s’ personal injury  eld. I could not have asked for a more rewarding beginning to my legal career.
From the outset, I was covering important hearings, handling appeals, having speaking engagements, and tak- ing depositions of skilled witnesses.  ese opportunities raised my con dence; there is nothing more exciting as a young attorney than being thrown into work on complex legal cases.
Today, I still handle aviation and products cases. Currently, most of my cases are referrals from clients, witnesses whom I’ve deposed, and lawyers with whom and against whom I have litigated. For all of them and their con dence in me, I am truly grateful.
AALM: Did you have any mentors or professors who helped you develop your career?
Lewis: I was fortunate to have two mentors, each are tre- mendously successful and continue to practice today.  ey have very di erent styles, yet both have achieved monumen- tal success in plainti s’ personal injury litigation. According- ly, I would have to say, observing both allowed me to see that there is no “one right way” to present a case or an argument.  ey allowed me to develop my own style.  ey taught me to consider my audience and to be aware of myself and my de- meanor. What worked for them was not necessarily going to work for me.  ey taught me to use my strengths as a female and as a lawyer’s lawyer to present my case in a warm but  rm manner.  ey also taught me that there is the practice of law and the business of law, both of which need watering and feeding to grow.  eir instruction was invaluable.
AALM: When did you decide to become a lawyer?
Lewis: We have several attorneys in my family and my father, who is quite skilled in the art of planting seeds, used to tell me regularly that I should be a lawyer. Typically, this was in response to my e orts (mostly unsuccessful) to con- vince him it was imperative for me to do this or to have that. However, what truly sparked a desire to pursue a career in law did not occur until my junior year in high school. I was asked to stand before my AP English class and deliver the entire closing argument of Bigger  omas’ criminal defense attorney Max in the book, “Native Son” by Richard Wright. Bigger, a young African-American, was standing trial for the murder of a young white female. It was in delivering Max’s impassioned and brutally honest soliloquy aimed at saving an “innocent” life, that the planted seed began to take root.
AALM: What do you  nd rewarding about being an at- torney?
Lewis: One of the greatest rewards is the relationships made and the ability to do something positive for others that they could not do for themselves. Taking a situation, typically tragic and life-altering, and forging some positive pathway toward healing is ful lling for me on a number of levels. Personal injury litigation is so personal for the client – understanding that is essential. I try to never lose sight of the human element. Clients place so much trust in us, sharing intimate details about their losses, lives and feelings; you can- not help but forge a meaningful bond. I am fortunate to have those bonds turn into lasting relationships. In fact, I remain in touch with many former clients even decades later.
AALM: What was the beginning of your career like? How has it evolved over the years?
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · MIAMI · VOL. 7 NO. 2 20
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