Melinda Hudson, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
You are currently in private practice and recently transitioned from practicing with the Indiana Solicitor General. What has that transition been like and what advice would you give for others making that transition?
I enjoyed working for the public interest for my first few years in practice. My work with the Indiana Solicitor General gave me hands-on experience in litigating at every level of state and federal court which has translated directly to my current business litigation practice. I credit my smooth transition to the network of attorneys here in Indy who have given me advice along the way. For others making this transition, my advice is to keep in touch with peers and mentors with different legal practices. My WLD mentor group, for example, was a great source of advice for me as I entered private practice.
The theme for WLD in 2024 is Championing Women in the Workplace. What do you think of when you hear this theme? How do you see yourself and other lawyers championing women in the workplace?
The theme Championing Women in the Workplace makes me reflect on how I proactively build relationships with women in my practice and make myself available as a mentor to younger attorneys and students in our legal community. I see this theme in action in the many mentoring and support opportunities - formal and informal - for women through my law firm's efforts and WLD's events and programs.
What type of professional development activities are you involved in and what do you like about those activities?
I enjoy being active in the many great legal networks we have here in Indy. I try to make the most of these opportunities by attending CLEs on different topics, especially when they touch on my areas of practice, such as appellate litigation. I also really enjoy being part of the Sagamore Inn of Court, which is a group of attorneys and judges that meets on a monthly basis for professional development over dinner and drinks.
If you weren't a lawyer, what would you like to be doing?
If I had resisted the impulse to go to law school, I like to think I would be putting my food science degree to good use. I picture myself creating the next flavor of Gatorade or scaling up a scone recipe for mass production!
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