Alyssa Bixby-Lawson

I attribute my success to resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to keep growing. Over more than 17 years as an attorney, I have worked in private practice and government, handled complex litigation, and navigated significant personal and professional transitions. Each experience has taught me to adapt, ask thoughtful questions, prepare thoroughly, and remain steady when the path forward is uncertain. I have also learned that success is rarely achieved alone. Mentors, colleagues, clients, friends, and family have all shaped my journey. Above all, I believe optimism has been essential—not as a denial of difficulty, but as the confidence that challenges can be met, mistakes can become lessons, and it is always possible to begin again.

The best career advice I have received is to be willing to go first. Speak up, ask the difficult question, volunteer for the unfamiliar assignment, and create the opportunity you wish already existed. Throughout my career, growth has often begun when I stepped forward before I felt entirely ready—whether entering a new area of law, taking on a challenging case, or sharing my experiences through The Optimistic Lawyer. Going first does not mean having all the answers; it means trusting that preparation, integrity, and a willingness to learn will carry you forward. It also gives others permission to be courageous, honest, and ambitious in their own way.

My advice to young women entering the legal profession is to trust your instincts—and give yourself a moment to hear them. When someone challenges you, interrupts you, or sends a difficult email, take a breath before responding. You do not have to react immediately to prove that you are confident or capable. Thoughtfulness is a strength, especially in litigation, and not every email requires an instant answer. I would also remind young lawyers that, while a legal career can be meaningful and rewarding, it should not become the entirety of who they are. Make time for the people, interests, and experiences that sustain you. Your career will benefit when you build a full life around

Artificial intelligence is both one of the greatest challenges and one of the most exciting opportunities facing the legal profession. AI is changing how attorneys conduct research, review information, draft documents, and serve their clients, but it also raises important questions about accuracy, confidentiality, ethics, and professional judgment. Lawyers must be willing to learn and evolve with the technology rather than resist it or rely on it uncritically. The tools may change, but our responsibility does not: attorneys must still think independently, verify their work, understand their clients, and exercise sound judgment. Those who approach AI with curiosity, adaptability, and appropriate caution will be well positioned to shape the changing legal landscape while preserving the human insight and integrity at the heart of effective advocacy.

The values most important to me are integrity, kindness, resilience, and authenticity. In my work, integrity means being honest with clients, colleagues, and the court, even when the truth is difficult or inconvenient. Kindness matters because the legal profession is demanding, and we can be vigorous advocates without losing our humanity. Resilience has carried me through challenging cases as well as personal and professional transitions, while authenticity has allowed me to build a career that reflects who I truly am rather than who I thought a successful lawyer was supposed to be. These same values guide my personal life, where I try to be present for my family, show grace to others and myself, and meet both success and hardship with openness, courage, and optimism.