Courtney Leigh Winston

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

To kick off our Society Spotlight series recognizing the amazing women that make up this organization, we spoke with Courtney Leigh Winston of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen about how she found her way to plaintiffs’ law, what inspires her, and the people who have helped her along the way.

What inspired you to specialize in plaintiff personal injury law?

I’ve always said that civil plaintiffs’ law found me. I began my career in criminal defense, and at the time, my boss and mentor was considering retirement. I decided to interview with a personal injury firm, and it was just kind of kismet. It wasn’t something I was actively seeking out, but I’ve always liked representing people rather than corporations and I love trial work, so it seemed like a good fit.

What was the transition from defense to plaintiffs’ side like?

Honestly, it was an easy transition. Both criminal defense and civil plaintiff’s work focus on representing the little guy. The type of work was similar enough that the transition was pretty smooth.

Can you share a case that had a significant impact on you?

The first cases I handled as a civil plaintiff’s attorney were two sexual assault cases that the other attorneys in the firm weren’t quite sure what to do with because no one there did sexual assault work. I’m a huge nerd and love reading, writing, and going down rabbit holes in research to find nuances in the law, so I was really excited to take on those cases because it’s such a niche area in civil litigation. Because I was new to personal injury, I was going to have to do a lot of research regardless of the practice area, so I wasn’t afraid to learn something new. Now I specialize representing survivors of sexual assault.

How do you approach building trust with your clients?

My initial client meetings are always in person so that I’m not just a name they’re seeing in email or a voice over the phone. My paralegal and I meet with the client together, as soon as we get the case, to make sure that the client knows us and can put faces to our names early on. I think that’s a good start to a relationship so I’m not trying to get to know someone over the phone, and that makes it easier for them to open up to me and tell me their story. I also use the initial meeting to manage client expectations about the case, so that when we have issues later on, I can say, “Remember when we first met, and I told you….”

What challenges have you faced as a female attorney in this field and how did you overcome them?

As a woman and woman of color, I think there are expectations of lawyers that some I fulfill and some I don’t. And not fulfilling all those expectations is not necessarily bad. When I talk to young women lawyers, I remind them that not “looking like a lawyer” makes it difficult for people to attach negative stereotypes. I try to think of not “looking like a lawyer” as almost a superpower because it means that people will be curious about who I am and what I’m about as opposed to applying a stereotype.

Sometimes opposing counsel looks across the aisle, sees me, and assumes that I’m inexperienced or unprepared—and that defeating me will be an easy task. I make an effort to always let down people who have that expectation. I over-prepare for every hearing, every motion, and every trial.

Are there any role models or mentors who have been pivotal in your career?

My first boss after law school, David Baugh, taught me how to try cases, so he’s the first person who comes to mind in terms of mentors. By teaching me how to try a case, I don’t just mean the rules of evidence. We talked about the demeanor I needed to have, for instance. I’m from the South and have “yes ma’am” and “no sir” ingrained in me, and he goes “we’re going to get rid of all of that, because that’s not how you’re going to try your cases.” David was great at helping me take on a courtroom persona. He taught me that, in the courtroom, respect must be earned.

All of my colleagues and peers at my current firm are great resources. We have an open-door policy so if I need something, I can just walk down the hall.

I met Rich Newsome, the founder of Trial School, pretty soon after becoming a plaintiff’s attorney. I was tasked with presenting a mock opening statement. Rich’s reaction to my presentation really made me believe in myself and my abilities as a trial attorney.

And of course, I have to mention Julia Metts. She and I have had so many great discussions about what a women-led and women-focused organization should be like, and we have similar perspectives on focusing on proactive measures to make the legal community a space that respects and embraces women attorneys.

Finally, I admire Nancy for creating the Society of Women Trial Lawyers, bringing women together from all across the country, and all of the work that she did to get to that point.

How do you balance work with personal life, especially in a field as demanding as personal injury law?

Well, I do not have an answer to this question at all – that is my constant struggle! It’s hard because if I’m given a problem, I want to find the solution, so sometimes that can bleed into my evenings. But I have things I like to do that are good for my overall wellbeing. I like yoga, I meditate, and I try to take walks. I do carve out time to do things that aren’t work related. If I calendar a workout or time to catch up with family or friends, I’m much less likely to work late, and I tend to use my time more efficiently when I have fun appointments in my schedule.

My one trick – if you can call it that – is that I have turned off the email notifications to my phone. I have Outlook on my phone, so I can check my emails whenever I’m compelled to, but silencing the alerts has been a game-changer.

What is the aspect of your work that you are most passionate about? What gets you the most excited?

“Oh, you’re a lawyer, you must like arguing,” and I’ve started responding, “I’m a lawyer. I like solving people’s problems.” I approach my work as a problem-solver, and I’m most excited when I obtain a result for a client that he or she would not have achieved without me. My favorite way to do this is in trial. I love being in court, and I love trying cases!

What advice would you give women attorneys just starting out in this area of the law?

A willingness to learn is so pivotal. Generally speaking, if someone is willing to help me then I want to receive that help. I’m not necessarily always looking for mentors, for better or worse, but I’m very receptive to people’s willingness to share their advice and their time. So as a new lawyer always be on the lookout for people who can help you, even if it’s not who you were expecting.

Why are organizations like the Society of Women Trial Lawyers important to you?

The thing I really love about the Society of Women Trial Lawyers is that it is very much a safe, collaborative space. We are fierce, intelligent, and witty professional women who support each other and celebrate successes! Currently, we’re a fairly small group, so that allows us to foster meaningful relationships and really get to know each other.

The SWTL Annual Conference is the icing on the cake. Nancy devotes—who knows how many hours—to ensure that the conferences support a holistic approach to the legal field and what it means to be a woman lawyer. Sure, we talk about legal strategies and trial tactics, but we also make time for wellness and self-care. The conferences also allow us to connect and grow our network not just with women lawyers but also the people and vendors that support us.

How has involvement in women-led organizations impacted you and your work?

With regard to the Society of Women Trial Lawyers in particular, instead of dwelling on the problems, we talk about how to be proactive, support one another, and focus on growth in a forward-looking way. Hearing a Society member say, “I did this amazing thing, and you can do it too!” really is priceless—especially when that woman walks the walk and shows you that the strategies that contributed to her success will also work for you and your cases. Women-led organizations provide reminders that we can shatter glass ceilings. And those reminders are inspiring when the work feels overwhelming.

Anything else you’d like to add?

To our readers, if you ever want to collaborate on a case, get more involved with SWTL, or just talk, please reach out to me!

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Check back for more Spotlights in the coming months as we feature additional members!