Donald DePass
Counsel, Global Regulatory – Hogan Lovells LLP

Description of field of expertise

Donald DePass helps innovative organizations protect and manage health data and other sensitive information. In a rapidly developing landscape, he provides pragmatic solutions to help address complex privacy, data security, and consumer protection challenges, including with respect to sophisticated and emerging technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, and digital health products.

Donald counsels clients facing highly regulated and dynamic environments, primarily in the technology, life sciences and health care, and sports and fitness sectors, including technology and data companies, academic medical centers, laboratories, device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, health plans, researchers, and media and fitness companies.  

Donald routinely helps clients with privacy program design and strategic compliance with data privacy and consumer protection laws.  He regularly advises on issues related to the use and disclosure of sensitive information, including genetic and biometric information, research, de-identification, notice and consent practices, privacy and cyber incident response and preparedness, government investigations, and commercial negotiations. Working with stakeholders across legal, compliance, and product teams, Donald can be counted on to help organizations tackle their most pressing legal challenges and achieve key business objectives.

Donald is a proud graduate of Duke University and Georgetown University Law Center. While in law school, Donald served as a student attorney in the Georgetown Social Enterprise & Nonprofit Clinic and was a member of The Tax Lawyer.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

I would encourage new attorneys practicing in privacy and cybersecurity to stay abreast of industry press.  This is a dynamic area with significant developments that impact how we counsel our clients occurring regularly.  It’s critical that we stay on top of the latest laws, regulations, enforcement actions, and technological advancements.  There are plenty of great resources that can help raise our awareness of emerging issues. 

Final thoughts…

Like many attorneys, I am increasingly spending my time thinking about and advising on issues related to artificial intelligence.  Aside from data-related issues, I’ve enjoyed speaking with colleagues about what it means to embrace “responsible AI” and how to build governance programs to that unlock the power of AI-based solutions, while managing foreseeable risks from the use of such solutions.

Diana Dessources

Assistant General Counsel  — Workday, Inc.

Description of field of expertise

Diana is currently an Assistant General Counsel at Workday, Inc., a cloud-based enterprise management leader specializing in finance, HR, and planning applications. Diana supports go-to-market commercial transactions, drafting and negotiating contracts with major multi-national companies. Diana concentrates on complex negotiations protecting Workday’s exposure to liability and overall business interests. Diana also supports and counsels sales on strategic initiatives, contributing to Workday’s continued growth. Since joining Workday, Diana’s clients have continued to recognize her as an “MVP” and outstanding contributor. Diana also leads the departments pro bono initiatives and is very active with Workday’s DE&I initiatives.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Diana recommends being open-minded. Do not subscribe to what you think your career should be-have a goal, but appreciate the different paths it might take to get there.”

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Victoria A. Joseph
Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment Senior Associate – Hogan Lovells LLP

Description of field of expertise

Victoria’s practice focuses primarily on litigation and investigations. She has represented clients faced with challenges stemming from the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, antitrust violations, product liability claims insurance coverage disputes in state and federal courts. Victoria has experience conducting internal investigations, responding to Civil Investigative Demands, leading large-scale teams in discovery, and preparing for and participating in civil and criminal trials. Victoria maintains an active pro bono and public interest practice, she served as a Special Attorney for the State of Minnesota in the prosecution of the four former police officers charged in connection with the death of George Floyd. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Victoria served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Gregory M. Sleet (Ret.) of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. While in law school, she served as an associate editor for the Journal of Constitutional Law and was a founding member and comments editor for the Journal of Law & Public Affairs.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Being an exceptional lawyer requires talent, discipline, and emotional intelligence. Talent requires a mastery of the substantive area of law you choose to practice. Talent is developed by continuing to learn about the latest developments in your area of expertise and seeking out opportunities to implement any new knowledge and skills you learn. Discipline is the secret recipe for success as a lawyer. Some days will inevitably be difficult when you are practicing law and when motivation seems to slip away, discipline will keep you focused on the goal and task at hand and propel you forward in the face of challenges. Finally, there’s emotional intelligence. Someone who can be empathetic, kind, and self-aware will have the edge over a lawyer without those soft skills. Without emotional intelligence, you will notice how difficult it is to work with and lead people with different personalities around you. Being emotionally intelligent is key to your success in this often collaborative career. 

Final thoughts…

Remember that practicing law is practice, and making mistakes are a necessary part of your development. The key is learning from those mistakes and turning them into growth opportunities. Stay confident, stay humble, and stay curious.  

Leslie C. Overton

Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer —
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

Description of field of expertise

Having previously served in senior positions at the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Leslie Overton offers her clients a valuable combination of experience and insight. Leslie guides companies through merger reviews, civil non-merger investigations, and criminal investigations  involving federal, state, and/or foreign antitrust authorities. Additionally, Leslie has experience with antitrust litigation from both her government service and time in private practice. She also represents clients in matters concerning anticompetitive conduct and consolidation by competitors, suppliers, or customers. In her counseling practice, Leslie uses her skill and judgment to provide strategic advice and practical solutions on activities such as pricing and distribution. She also customizes antitrust compliance programs to match her clients’ exposure and business realities.

While serving as deputy assistant attorney general for civil enforcement during the Obama Administration, Leslie managed over half of the DOJ’s merger challenges in fiscal years 2012–2014, including litigation complaints, settlements, and transactions restructured or abandoned. Leslie also supervised litigation and civil non-merger investigations, as well as several criminal antitrust matters. Additionally, Leslie oversaw the Antitrust Division’s international engagement and health care policy work. During the Bush Administration, she served as counsel to the assistant attorney general, where she contributed to investigations, litigation, and the seminal health care hearings and report with the FTC.

Leslie also serves as Axinn’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. She earned an Executive Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

1. Connect with lawyers already specializing in antitrust, whether in law firms, federal government, state government, or non-profit organizations. Within the American Bar Association Antitrust Section, there is an affinity group called the Black Squad that is very supportive of Black antitrust lawyers, especially those who are newer to the field.
2. Attend the NBA CLS Conference at your earliest convenience, and go every year. It is an incredibly affirming event, has high-quality CLE content, and provides great networking opportunities.
3. Develop and protect your personal brand for excellence, strong communication, proactiveness, creativity, integrity, and other traits that will deliver value to your internal and external clients.

Final thoughts…

While many underrepresented lawyers face numerous biases, know that there are people in law firms, companies, and government agencies working daily to break down discriminatory barriers. Additionally, there are numerous Black and other underrepresented lawyers who have navigated a path to success in spite of these barriers. Learn from them.

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Antone J. Little

Partner — Alston + Bird

Description of field of expertise

Jason Outlaw is a partner in the firm’s Securities Litigation Group. He focuses his practice primarily on SEC investigations, securities fraud actions, shareholder derivative suits, corporate investigations, and other complex commercial litigation.

Jason received his J.D. in 2012 from Georgetown University. In law school, Jason was a member of Barristers’ Council (Appellate Advocacy Division). He and his teammate successfully competed in the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, where they won the regional championship as well as earned awards for Best Brief at both regionals and nationals.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Remain curious and take time to build fundamental skills.  There is something new to learn each day as emerging technologies shape and mold the future of our practice.  

Final thoughts…

Stay urgent.  Make each day count towards your ultimate career goals. 

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Antone J. Little

Counsel — Alston + Bird

Description of field of expertise

Antone Little is a member of the Finance Group and focuses on representing corporate trustees in secured and unsecured financial transactions, particularly in aviation, loan agency, and asset-backed securitizations.

Antone regularly represents administrative agents, collateral agents, indenture trustees, paying agents, escrow agents, owner trustees, and a variety of other third party service providers in a range of asset classes including asset-backed securitizations (aviation and oil & gas), aircraft leasing, loan agency, project finance, and debt finance. Antone also has extensive experience representing lenders, lessors, and other corporations in purchasing, selling, leasing, and financing aircraft both domestically and internationally as well as experience with SEC exempt 3(a)(2) and 144A capital markets transactions.

Antone is the co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Charlotte Diversity Committee.

Antone received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2010 and his B.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina in 2007.

A decorated military veteran who served as an officer in the United States Air Force (“USAF”) and USAF Reserves, Terry received his B.S in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University and his M.S. in Engineering from Fresno State (while on active duty).  Upon leaving active duty, Terry earned his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law, where he was editor and chief of the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

• Focus on the details. This is an easy way for new attorneys to add value to the group early in their career. 

• Be patient. It is going to take significant time to learn the substance. Corporate practice can be very complicated and isn’t really taught in law school. 
• Consistently work on building relationships. Treat senior attorneys in your practice group as your clients. Building trust internally is necessary to progress with your firm / practice group. It is also important to connect with those in junior positions at your clients. One day they will be the ones making decisions.

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