For Lawyers, the ‘Work’ of Making an Impact Does Not Have to Happen in a Courtroom. Laura E. Sedlak Says

As one of the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2024 “Women Attorneys of the Year,” Laura Sedlak, Co-Chair of the Sills Cummis Antitrust Practice Group, is featured in a Q&A. The New Jersey Law Journal “Women Attorneys of the Year” recognition honors attorneys who made an impact in the profession in the past two years, leaving their mark on the New Jersey legal landscape.

The following Q&A with Laura Sedlak appeared in the New Jersey Law Journal on December 19, 2024.

What are some of your proudest achievements of the past two years?
One of my proudest achievements of the past two years is successfully challenging a state law on constitutional grounds and obtaining a permanent injunction that ultimately allowed our clients to avoid shutting down their businesses. I also worked together with a colleague to restructure the Firm’s Associate Development Program. We launched a monthly lunch series that brings together Associates and Members for a series of panels aimed at enhancing collaboration, emphasizing the sense of belonging, and providing valuable mentoring on essential topics such as client service, business development, and work/life balance.

“Making a difference” can have many meanings. What does it mean to you?
Making a difference means making a meaningful impact in a way that matters to you. It means having hope (even when there is no reason to) and knowing that your actions could have a positive impact in ways that are not foreseeable.

What advice would you offer to a new attorney looking to make an impact?
For lawyers, the “work” of making an impact does not have to happen in a courtroom. I would advise new attorneys to have an open mind about how they can leverage their legal education. For example, I have supplemented my pro bono legal work with mentoring high school students through NJ LEEP, a college access and success program for low income and first-generation students from the greater Newark area. In addition to pro bono work and volunteering, lawyers can make a difference by serving on boards, running for office, or taking on other leadership roles that might be well suited for someone with a legal education.

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