Gloria Park always wanted to be a storyteller. She just didn’t expect to find that career in litigation. In this episode, the Susman Godfrey partner talks about growing up in a first-generation immigrant family, choosing law school because it let her “tell stories for a living,” and the mantra, why not me, that carried her through six tough years as an associate to partnership.
She covers what actually separates strong litigators (hint: it’s not the closing argument), why Park chose a litigation-only boutique that hires exclusively from federal clerkships, and how she balances high-stakes cases with church, choir, and a new kickboxing habit. Park also shares her most memorable war story: taking her first deposition eight weeks into practice, alone, against a firm’s global head of litigation.
Key Takeaways
* Litigation is storytelling within strict limits: the facts don’t move, but how you frame them does.
* A “why not me” mindset can replace the imposter syndrome that comes with being the first in your family in Biglaw.
* Attention to detail, not courtroom theatrics, is what actually separates strong litigators.
* Susman Godfrey hires only federal law clerks, which gives its litigators a shared foundation and an edge in the courtroom.
* Pro bono work outside your paying caseload can sharpen your skills as a litigator, not just your firm’s PR.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Bluesky @Kathryn1
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