Be The Source of Your Own Empowerment

As the first Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Gaming Board, I helped to shape the state’s gaming industry. My experience working with regulated industries led to my developing a national legal practice advising clients in two highly regulated markets – Gaming and Cannabis. Over the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate to gain professional experience in every lane open to a lawyer. I owned my own law firm; grew gaming practices at Freeborn & Peters and Greenberg Traurig; served as chief legal counsel at Tropicana; served on the Board of Directors of Mandalay Resort Group and I’m currently Chicago Office Managing Partner of Fox Rothschild, an Am Law 100 firm.

My business leadership in the areas of gaming law and cannabis law areas grew from my experience in a variety of government positions – first as an assistant state’s attorney, then a Chicago federal prosecutor, and as the inaugural Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Gaming Board. I drafted regulations that govern Illinois’ first foray into the billion- dollar riverboat gaming industry. And I also provided foundational advice to the board on compliance, enforcement and intergovernmental affairs.

I believe my leadership successes derive from a mindset I adopted early in my career: Be the source of your own empowerment. When I mentor Fox’s young associates or when I volunteer at Chicago Hope Academy to assist in teaching a class to high school juniors and seniors about the world of business, I emphasize how hard work creates opportunity.

We can’t change the world in one afternoon, but by recognizing and working toward our fullest potential, we grow undeniable voices. I encourage the women leaders of today and tomorrow to grow their abilities, deepen their talents and speak out.