Female attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy share practical legal insights, career lessons and common misconceptions, offering Arizona businesses and individuals guidance on navigating legal challenges proactively and strategically.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS: The Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026
WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE: The Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate for 2026
Question: What legal advice would you give business leaders?
Karin S. Aldama, Insurance Coverage & Litigation: “Beware of AI-related insurance issues! Increasing AI use, including in automated decision-making, has led businesses to face issues such as whether traditional policies (CGL, D&O, cyber, etc.) cover AI-related losses through, for example, class claims of bias in AI decision-making, privacy breaches and business disruptions through hacked AI systems, or infringement through machine learning. Engaging coverage counsel proactively can help reduce such risks.”
Jennifer A. Cranston, Real Estate Litigation & Regulatory Law: “For those interested in cost-effective legal services (aka everyone), I recommend preparing a summary of the factual background and gathering all relevant documents before contacting your lawyer. Clients often limit information and materials in hopes of saving on legal bills, but that strategy typically creates more work for the attorney — and, thus, increased legal expenses.”
Megan M. Ealick, Employment & Litigation: “Carefully read and understand your operating agreement. When challenges arise, a well-understood and up-to-date operating agreement provides a clear roadmap for resolving disputes. On the other hand, an operating agreement that no longer aligns with your business’s needs can become a significant and costly obstacle. If your operating agreement is no longer serving your business, it should be thoughtfully amended.”
Q: What should Arizonans know before needing an attorney?
Haley A. Harrigan, Employment & Labor: “The biggest mistake I see in my employment practice is clients waiting until a lawsuit, agency charge or employee termination to call counsel. The best time to seek legal guidance is before making significant employment decisions. Arizona employers should understand that documentation, consistency, and compliance with wage, leave and anti-discrimination laws are critical, and small issues are far easier — and less expensive — to address before they become legal disputes.”
Shayna R. Frieden, Criminal Defense & Personal Injury: “Legal matters are best addressed early. If you’re involved in a criminal or professional licensing investigation, you have the right to counsel, and exercising it promptly is essential. Early legal guidance helps protect your rights, avoid costly missteps and ensure communication is handled strategically from the outset. If you or a loved one suffers harm, early legal advice helps preserve and strengthen your claims.”
Q: What’s a misconception people have about your area of law?
Melissa Benson, Family Law: “A common misconception is that family court judges decide purely on emotion or personal sympathy, and that ‘winning’ means getting exactly what you want. In reality, decisions are guided by law, evidence and standard criteria (like the child’s best interests, state guidelines for support and property rules). Outcomes come from applying the facts to these rules, not from a judge’s personal feelings or popularity. However, the credibility of the parties plays a huge role in applying the facts.”
Sarah E. Myers, Environmental & Litigation: “A common misconception in my practice area is that a purchaser of commercial real estate should obtain an environmental assessment only when there are specific environmental concerns about the property. In practice, however, it is generally advisable to conduct a preliminary environmental assessment as part of the due diligence process in any commercial real estate transaction. This is because certain defenses to ownership liability require the purchaser to complete ‘all appropriate inquiries’ prior to closing.”
Q: What proactive legal move will give businesses a competitive advantage?
Kiersten A. Murphy, Public Bidding & Litigation: “For my clients looking to secure public contracts, I encourage them to work with me to carefully review applicable rules, regulations and deadlines before pursuing those opportunities. Not only do the rules and regulations vary considerably among government bodies, but they can also present unique challenges for private businesses. In addition, timelines for protesting procurement and contract decisions are very tight and require immediate action.”
Kortney Otten, Corporate & Business Law: “It’s boring, but keep track of your company’s contracts and proactively evaluate their terms. Know when they are ending. Make sure you’re aware of notice and compliance provisions for termination or renewal. Shopping other options ahead of time gives you knowledge and leverage to renegotiate your current contracts favorably before they terminate. If you can’t, you’ve already shopped around and can move forward accordingly.”
Q: When do clients wait too long for legal help?
Josefa A. Rodriguez, Family Law: “In family law, people often wait until separation turns into conflict over finances or children. By then, positions are entrenched. It’s best to consult an attorney early — before moving out, signing agreements or making financial decisions. These early decisions can impact support, property division and parenting outcomes long term.”
Eleanor J. Shaffer, Personal Injury: “The best time to call an attorney in a personal injury case is as close to the incident as possible. We can provide advice on how to handle injuries or malpractice from the start, which prevents many client mistakes from occurring. An injury lawyer’s purpose is to obtain just compensation so victims and their families can focus on healing.”
Q: What advice do you wish you knew starting out?
Janey Henze Cook, Criminal Defense: “Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Watching my father practice taught me that you can be a dedicated advocate while still treating people with kindness and respect. Building strong relationships and maintaining professionalism will open more doors than you might expect.”
Sarah R. LeFevre, Corporate & Business Law: “The relationships you build in law school and early in your career are incredibly important. Law school is not just about classes, grades and internships; it is also the start of your professional network. Classmates and early colleagues may become co-counsel, opposing counsel and referral sources. Being intentional about supporting your peers and staying connected can go a long way, both professionally and personally.”
Hannah H. Porter, Public Bidding & Litigation: “Early and consistent communication, both with clients and colleagues, is key. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to fully understand your client’s goals and needs at the outset — that will inform every decision thereafter. Soliciting different perspectives also often helps refine an idea into a winning argument.”
Serafina I. Seluja, Environmental & Real Estate: “Spend time early identifying your natural strengths and the type of work that energizes you. Whether it’s oral advocacy, legal writing, detailed analysis, client counseling, negotiation, project management or relationship-building, seek out practice areas and opportunities that complement your strengths. While continuous improvement is important, the greatest professional growth often comes from developing areas where you already have natural aptitude.”
Angela L. Sheppard, Personal Injury: “Focus on the story as much as the medicine. I used to think injury cases were won by records alone — but connections are made with people, not charts. Learn to tie injuries to their impact on daily life and maintain regular contact with clients. Credibility and relationships will carry you further than any single piece of evidence.”
