30 www.lawyer-monthly.com Christine, let’s start at the beginning. What motivated you to pursue a legal career, and were there any female role models in the legal field who inspired you? It may sound cliché but, like a lot of people, I went to law school because I really wanted to help people and I know that the law is a powerful tool for doing that. As a lawyer, I get so much fulfillment from helping individual clients, but I also recognize that the law is often the most effective way to bring about systemic, institutional changes that have the potential to make a real difference for future generations. As I was starting my legal career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a role model to me. She was a master at using the law to push for systemic change, especially in the area of gender discrimination. Before joining the Supreme Court and after, she made historic steps towards greater equality for women. Balancing work and personal life is a challenge many face, especially women in demanding professions. How do you manage your work-life balance, especially with the highstakes cases you handle? Being a lawyer, especially a litigator, can often feel all-consuming. In addition, I’m a single mom of a thirteen-year-old daughter. Balancing those two things can be challenging. Fortunately, I am very lucky to work at a firm that understands the importance of work-life balance and has given me flexibility in my work schedule. When my daughter was first born, I left my firm for what was supposed to be a three-month maternity leave. That time stretched into nearly seven years as a stay-at-home mom. Before becoming a parent, I’d practiced law for over a decade, Christine Dunn Contact: Clare Haugh Tel: 650-547-5990 Email: chaugh@sanfordheisler.com www.sanfordheisler.com Co-Chair Sanford Heisler Sharp In today’s fascinating conversation, we sit down with Christine Dunn, Co-Chair of the Criminal/ Sexual Violence Practice Group at Sanford Heisler Sharp - a leading national law firm acclaimed for its dedication to social justice and public interest cases. With a vast portfolio of practices ranging from discrimination and harassment to wage disputes and whistleblower actions, Sanford Heisler Sharp has been a trailblazer in advocating for individual and collective rights. In the spotlight today is Christine Dunn, whose journey from federal criminal prosecutor to legal advocate has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ll delve into her motivations, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in law, and her unparalleled commitment to representing survivors of sexual abuse and violence. Join us for a nuanced discussion on a career that intersects law, social justice, and systemic change. Sexual Violence Litigation Lawyer of the Year
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