Hassia Diolombi
Partner – Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Description of field of expertise
Hassia’s practice involves defending major firm clients in complex litigation across a variety of industries and fields. She concentrates on cases involving mass torts and class action product liability and pharmaceutical claims and employment litigation matters, from EEOC claim investigations, through trial preparation of diverse employment matters. Hassia is also a selected trial counsel for several firm clients. Notably, Hassia currently serves as trial counsel for Philip Morris USA in tobacco litigation currently pending throughout the state of Florida and has assisted with the firm’s defense of Philip Morris USA in various Engle-progeny cases tried throughout the state. Her broad complex litigation and trial experiences across several industries enable her to identify and develop successful pre-trial and trial case strategy, including strategically positioning cases for early resolution, including dismissals, success on dispositive issues or settlement.
Hassia earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was an associate editor for the International Comparative Law Review. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California. She served as a volunteer and mentor for both the John Kozyak Minority Mentoring Program and the Minority Bar Passage Program at the University of Miami School of Law. She has also served as a guardian ad litem for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit and Dade County Bar Association, and was active in the Special Assistant Public Defender Pro Bono Project for Ensuring Equal Justice. Hassia has also worked pro bono hours for the FIU College of Law, Florida Juvenile Resentencing and Review Project. Her pro bono work has been recognized with Shook’s William G. Zimmerman Pro Bono Award. She is a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow, and serves on Shook’s Associates Committee; the Diversity Committee; the ad hoc Alumni Relations Committee. She is also currently vice chair of Shook’s Women’s Management Council. Hassia is fluent in both French and Hausa.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
Career trajectories change. Therefore, never hinder career development by limiting skill-sets or areas of practice. When new, deliberately learn the lay of the land with in-depth research and a heavy dose of watching and listening. This is especially useful when trying cases. Do not shy away from learning about anything and everything. Read whatever you can get your hands on and engage with people about their knowledge and experiences. Understanding experiences and building a diverse knowledge base can inform every level of litigation, from due diligence and discovery strategy at the inception of a lawsuit, through trial and appellate strategy. This, no matter the practice area, will always help further your ability to advance client needs in either getting a case dismissed, advantageously positioned for settlement, or fully developed for the best possible trial and/or appellate outcome.
Final thoughts…
Learn from anyone and everyone you can until you find what works for you in developing your brand, no matter the practice area or stage of your career you find yourself.