Natalie Athas

I attribute my success to my experience in trial work, strong organizational skills, and ability to quickly adapt to any case I am assigned. I enjoy the variety my role offers, whether it involves contracts, workers’ compensation, or other complex litigation matters, because each case requires me to assemble, prepare, and present materials efficiently to support the attorneys. A key part of my success is being able to come into a case with little prior familiarity and rapidly learn the exhibits and key details under tight deadlines. Over time, my years of experience have strengthened my ability to think quickly on my feet, stay organized under pressure, and consistently deliver reliable support in fast-paced trial environments.

The best career advice I’ve received is to focus on doing my job to the best of my ability and consistently aim to make the attorneys and the team look good. In a trial environment, it’s important to remain composed under pressure, stay professional, and not become overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned. Success often comes down to the ability to adapt quickly, pivot when needed, and find practical solutions in real time. Equally important is being a strong team player while also being capable of working independently and taking initiative when required.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to stay calm, adaptable, and solution-focused, especially in high-pressure trial environments. I often describe trial work as similar to a wedding something will almost always go differently than planned, but success depends on how you respond in the moment. The key is maintaining composure, adjusting quickly, and focusing on resolving issues rather than reacting emotionally, because most changes are not visible to the jury or the outside observer. What truly matters is how effectively you support your team and keep the process moving forward. Ultimately, if you stay professional, pivot when needed, and remain committed to doing your best work, the experience becomes both rewarding and fulfilling.

The biggest challenge in my role is managing a high-volume and complex workload as a single point of support for multiple offices, including Southern California and Phoenix, as well as serving within the broader international trial paralegal group. I often handle multiple large, time-sensitive assignments at once, which requires strong prioritization and can lead to long, demanding days to ensure all deadlines and trial needs are met. At the same time, this level of responsibility has created valuable opportunities, as my experience has allowed me to support trial teams across different jurisdictions, including internationally in London and throughout the United States in locations such as Rochester, New York, and North Dakota.