What is your practice area?
Primarily civil litigation, with a lot of asbestos defense, though recently I have had more transactional work.

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
My parents escaped from communist Czechoslovakia and always encouraged me to pursue higher education and a profession as they did not have the freedom to do so. Their encouragement led me to a career in law.

Why do you live in Marin?
We moved here when my firm, Vasquez Estrada & Conway, moved to Marin and have found it hard to leave.

What do you love to do when not busy practicing law?
Taking family trips and playing tennis.

Tell us about your family.
I met my husband in law school 24 years ago and we have been together ever since. We have two teenage boys and a beautiful boxer.

If you could pursue another career besides law, what would it be and why?
Real Estate. My parents had a brokerage when I was growing up and I always enjoyed being their young “assistant." In addition to my law degree, I have a real estate broker’s license.

Why did you join MCBA?
Past President Randy Wallace made me do it (for which I am grateful).

If you had to pick a single highlight of your career, what would it be?
Becoming National Counsel for a client. As National Counsel, I generally oversee their litigation matters across the country. This includes training local counsel, defending the corporate witness at deposition in various jurisdictions, coordinating experts for the client, and ensuring that discovery and motion practice is consistent among the jurisdictions.