Description of field of expertise

Diane advises clients on telecommunications, media, technology, and consumer protection issues. She has deep expertise navigating the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with over two decades of federal government experience advising senior officials and leading teams, programs, and projects.

Diane also advises clients on navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues resulting from recent legal, regulatory, and market changes, focusing on education, risk assessment and mitigation, and compliance strategy.

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

To provide effective counsel in rapidly changing fields like technology and telecommunications, it helps to have a strong technical foundation because if you understand how existing systems and technologies work, you can more easily develop expertise in related emerging areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Additional keys to success in this highly regulated sector include staying informed about relevant trends, laws, and regulations, and refining your critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real time to help clients navigate novel and complex legal and business challenges.

Final thoughts…

Authenticity is a superpower.  Combined with attributes like effective communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective leadership, being your whole, true self will strengthen your role as a trusted colleague and advisor.

Description of field of expertise

Neal A. Fisher Jr. represents employers involved in high-stakes, complex class, collective, and representative actions like those brought pursuant to California’s Private Attorneys General Act of 2004; labor arbitrations; FINRA arbitrations; and claims of wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, and disability discrimination, including those brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, and California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Neal regularly litigates in state and federal courts and appears before governmental agencies, such as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Department of Industrial Relations, and Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

Neal’s litigation practice also involves managing a mortgage litigation portfolio that spans several jurisdictions, including Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. Additionally, he oversees data center support work in the Midwest, and manages and supervises patent litigation and misappropriation of trade secrets cases around the US.

In addition to his litigation work, Neal counsels clients with their hiring needs, termination decisions, strategic restructuring and layoffs, disciplinary issues, medical leaves, employment agreements, and personnel policies. He performs extensive wage and hour audits for clients, troubleshooting, issue spotting, and revising their policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws. His clients’ businesses operate across multiple industries and sectors, including banking and financial services, technology, retail, and food and beverage.

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

Your knowledge and skills are your most valuable assets. While the name on the door may change, your reputation and capabilities endure. Practice with integrity, lead with honesty, and remain committed to excellence. Opportunities and clients will follow in due course. Good luck.

Final thoughts…

Neal is a member of the National Employment Law Council, Orange County Bar Association, and National Bar Association. He sponsors an annual Young Lawyers Division networking event to foster relationships between in-house and outside counsel. Neal volunteers for legal activities like protecting voting rights, helping children obtain asylum, and advising on legislative changes to benefit employers. He also mentors and speaks at Georgetown University Law Center.

Description of field of expertise

Kel advises MassMutual on a broad range of corporate tax matters. His expertise includes tax considerations related to significant corporate events such as business entity formations, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, the use of derivatives, and federal tax credit investment strategies. Kel’s counsel often focuses on technical guidance on transactions involving complex entity structures, including limited liability companies and partnerships. Kel also counsels the company on international tax issues that impact both its global operations and its workforce.

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

Focus on building technical competence, staying connected, and giving back where you can.

Tax law, like many areas of legal practice, is highly technical and complex. While experience is invaluable, new attorneys should dedicate time outside of regular work hours if needed to build a strong foundation in the core principles of their field. You do not need to become an expert right away, but you should aim to understand and use the language of your practice area as early as possible. Stay informed about key developments and become familiar with the major institutions and individuals in your space. Establishing credibility early is essential, and this kind of preparation will help you do that.

Networking is also critical for career growth. It is important to expand your network, but equally important to maintain the relationships you already have. Do not overlook the value of the connections you made in law school and early in your career. Many of your peers will move into influential roles sooner than you might expect.

It is also important to recognize that access to legal expertise is not evenly distributed in our society. Give back in any way you can. This might mean volunteering with legal aid organizations, offering financial support, or helping to raise awareness for causes that matter to you.

Final thoughts…

The most effective attorneys I have worked with create a culture of support and appreciation. They celebrate the achievements of others as much as their own. Let’s continue to build the kind of legal community we want to be part of.

Description of field of expertise

With nearly 20 years of trademark disputes and patent litigation experience, Theresa counsels both Fortune 500 and startup clients on scaling IP portfolios, brand protection, and licensing matters. Her practice also includes developing global anti-counterfeiting programs. Theresa has experience across various industries, including technology, consumer products, entertainment, and sports. Prior to returning to private practice, she served as in-house IP counsel at leading global brands, including United Airlines and Toyota. Her in-house counsel experience at leading global brands gives her the right perspective to provide clients practical, business-minded advice. Theresa is a frequent speaker on intellectual property and diversity in the law issues.

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

New attorneys interested in an IP career should explore the full spectrum of IP. When most people think of IP, they generally focus on patents (which requires a STEM degree), but IP is broader than that and includes trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, right of publicity, and more, and within these areas, there are transactional, litigation, and licensing opportunities. It’s an especially exciting time to seek careers in IP with the impact of AI on the existing framework of IP.  Understanding the field will help new attorneys find their niche.

Final thoughts…

Someone once said to me that Black IP attorneys are unicorns and my response was, we may be unicorns, but we exist. Building your network with intention is key in navigating the IP field. New attorneys should seek mentorship opportunities from IP industry groups while also cultivating relationships with people who understand their unique lived experience.

Description of field of expertise

Joseph K. West is Trial Partner, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and a Member of the Partners Board at Duane Morris LLP. West is an experienced trial lawyer having successfully handled hundreds of matters to conclusion in jurisdictions throughout the country. He manages Duane Morris’ comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program and he chairs the firm’s DEI Consulting Practice. He is an internationally recognized authority in DEI, having worked, lectured and written extensively on the subject. He is the inaugural recipient of the Chambers Lifetime Achievement Award for Equity and Inclusion. West was awarded the National Bar Association’s (NBA) Champion of Diversity Award, the highest DEI specific award issued by the National Bar Association, as well as the Cora T. Walker Corporate Partnership award, a recognition by the president of the NBA for his outstanding contributions to the entire organization. In 2024 he was inducted into the Tulane Law School Hall of Fame and Savoy Magazine named him one of the nation’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers.

Prior to Duane Morris, West was Associate General Counsel and Head of Global Outside Counsel Management at Walmart Stores Inc.; President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association; Assistant General Counsel in the Litigation Group of Entergy Corporation; and spent over 13 years as a litigator and partner in Louisiana.

In addition to serving as co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, West also served as Chair of the ABA Council for the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. West is a member of the Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Trustees. He was recently played by Laurence Fishburne on stage in New York in the play “Like They Do In the Movies” which portrayed his real-life heroics during Hurricane Katrina.

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

There are two currencies that will serve you well over the duration of your career and both of them take time to develop. The first is your skill set. Devoting time to learn as much as you can, to seek opportunities to gain practical experience, to perfect your craft; these are all absolutely necessary to distinguish yourself from your competition. The second currency is a well-developed network. I have often said that relationships are the coin of the realm. Without a doubt, talent and experience are the great equalizers, but contacts are the great distinguishers. The fact is, people want to do business with others who they like, respect, and with whom they enjoy a good working relationship. Most importantly, people want to work with someone they trust and whom they are convinced have their best interests at heart. It is important to remember that relationship development is a skill that is rooted in reciprocity. The most fruitful relationships I have enjoyed over the course of my career began with my being willing to support, guide, mentor or just get to know others without any expectation of recompense. That type of genuine and organic relationship building is critical to long-term success.

Description of field of expertise

Derin Dickerson is a go-to litigator for companies facing high-stakes class actions and complex commercial disputes across the country. With a practice focused on defending Fortune 500 companies in telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, and higher education sectors, Derin has successfully handled hundreds of matters involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and state deceptive trade practices statutes. His litigation experience spans more than 40 jurisdictions nationwide.

Known for his sharp litigation instincts and strategic foresight, Derin is often called upon to lead defense teams in bet-the-company class actions and regulatory investigations. His client roster includes global wireless carriers, education service providers, and a leading financial data company. In addition to his corporate practice, Derin advises athletes and entertainers on legal matters that intersect with business, branding, and reputation.

A recognized leader in his field, Derin frequently speaks on cutting-edge issues in class action defense, telecommunications compliance, and litigation risk management. He has been honored as one of the Daily Report’s “40 Under 40 on the Rise” and was named a Georgia “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers. He is also a proud alumnus of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2016, a distinction reserved for civic-minded professionals making an impact beyond the courtroom.

Derin brings not only legal skill but also strategic perspective, helping clients navigate litigation with an eye toward protecting business objectives and public trust. His blend of courtroom acumen and industry-specific knowledge makes him a trusted partner for companies confronting complex legal challenges.

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

My first piece of advice to new litigation attorneys is to get comfortable with complexity. The issues we deal with aren’t always straightforward, and the stakes are often high, so being able to think critically and stay calm under pressure is essential.

Second, develop your writing early. Great litigators are great communicators. Whether it’s a motion, a brief, or an email to a client, your ability to explain complicated issues clearly and persuasively will set you apart. Read everything you can. Watch how experienced attorneys build arguments, and pay attention to how judges respond to them.

Third, take ownership. Even as a junior associate, treat every assignment like it matters—because it does. Your attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile will build trust with your team and with clients.

Lastly, be curious. Learn your client’s business, understand the industry, and follow the trends. Whether you’re representing a telecom giant, an athlete, or a startup, understanding their world makes you a better advocate.