Lawyer Monthly Magazine - February 2020 Edition

54 WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM | FEB 2020 An Interview With My role in the legal industry My career as an attorney began when I was sworn in June 2013. However, I had almost three prior decades of practical legal experience, beginning as a legal typist in a “typing pool” in the early 1980’s when I was still in college. My other legal experience includes working as a paralegal, a private investigator, a law librarian, and a paralegal program instructor. I’ve been with the Law Office of Richard J. Meechan since September 2013, where I practice in the area of workers’ compensation law. I also provide assistance with disability retirements for my law enforcement clients. My prior decades of practical legal experience provide the foundational skills needed as an attorney in discovery, legal research, client contact, and pre-trial preparation. The challenges I faced Even though I had a strong background and was comfortable in a law office, when I began working as an attorney, I was very nervous about court appearances and depositions. However, I had – and still have - a great mentor, Rick Meechan. Because of him, I am on the Board of Directors of the California Applicant Attorneys’ Association (CAAA) and attend its twice- a-year educational conventions. I am a member of several CAAA committees. Most important to me is the Women’s Caucus, which formed the same year that I began practicing law. As a member of Women’s Caucus, I have gained friendships with women practitioners like me statewide. I have also gained invaluable experiences, such as testifying at California state senate and assembly hearings and speaking at conferences and conventions about gender bias in workers’ compensation. My favorite aspect of my role I enjoy my work: I like my clients and I work with the best people on earth. My favourite role is that of “counselor at law,” because I like listening to my clients and learning about their work and their lives. In November 2018, I was certified by the California Board of Legal Specialisation of the State Bar of California as a specialist in workers’ compensation law. I sort of fell into workers’ compensation law, but I couldn’t have fallen into a better place. How do you overcome them? We have outstanding support staff. We are all dedicated to getting our clients the medical care they deserve. As well as with identifying bias issues in the workers’ compensation system. They have established protocols that provide us with the documentation and evidence we need if we have to go to a hearing to enforce the need for medical treatment. As an example of how they help overcome bias issues: because of our team, I was able to put together evidence to try and win a case that enforced the rights of Spanish speaking clients to receive crucial workers’ compensation notices in their primary language. It was one step of many towards meaningful change. LM About Laura Rosenthal