This fall, WilmerHale welcomed 36 new associates to our US offices. During the next few months, we will continue to interview members of this dynamic class to learn about what drew them to the firm and about their interests outside the office.
In this third set of interviews, you’ll meet associates from the Litigation Department whose interests range from traveling to horseback riding.
(Cepeda Derieux in front of a glacier in Patagonia, Argentina.)
Name: Adriel Cepeda Derieux
Office: New York
Practice: Litigation/Controversy
School: Columbia Law School
WH: What is it about WilmerHale that made you want to practice here?
Cepeda Derieux: The culture. I had previously worked at a law firm in New York where the culture was impersonal and not very collegial. After that, I knew I didn’t want to work for another firm with that type of atmosphere. While I was interning for a judge after my first year of law school, I discussed WilmerHale with a couple of clerks. It sounded like just the type of work environment I was looking for. Additionally, I was interested in a law firm that had a presence in both New York and Washington DC. WilmerHale just seemed like a great combination of all of these things.
WH: What are you most looking forward to as you begin your practice?
Cepeda Derieux: I'm excited about working with and getting to know the people here. I’m also looking forward to the team atmosphere in the Litigation Department, and to being a part of it.
WH: How did you spend the summer between graduating law school and starting at the firm?
Cepeda Derieux: I spent the first half of my summer studying for the bar! Once that was over, I took a road trip with a couple of friends. We flew to LA and spent the next two weeks driving back to New York. We went to some amazing places, such as the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and New Orleans. I also returned home to Puerto Rico for a week to visit my family.
WH: Tell us a fun fact about yourself...
Cepeda Derieux: I enjoy traveling. In summer 2009—before my last year of law school—I traveled to Argentina. I was also a member of a hip hop dance group throughout all four years of college. I think we were pretty good, but there is probably some videotape out there that disproves that!
(Lynn in Newport, Rhode Island.)
Name: Christina Lynn
Office: Boston
Practice: Litigation/Controversy
School: University of Virginia School of Law
WH: What is it about WilmerHale that made you want to practice here?
Lynn: The culture. When I summered in the Washington DC office, I got a great sense of the environment and the people. Everyone was smart, friendly and approachable. That combination helped me to have a truly wonderful summer experience. Additionally, while I was excited by the idea of changing cities, I am happy about the fact that I can still maintain a connection to DC through that office.
WH: What are you most looking forward to as you begin your practice?
Lynn: I'm excited about finally starting my legal career! I’m also really looking forward to getting to know the people here and being involved in exciting work. The move to Boston has definitely opened up a whole new world for me.
WH: What did you do during your deferral period?
Lynn: I did a lot of different things, actually. I managed a restaurant and also helped plan their special events. It was a lot of fun, as it was fast-paced and interesting, and it allowed me to meet tons of different people and learn about the inside of the restaurant industry. It also helped give me some great managerial skills! In addition, I worked on a pro bono project with Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s general counsel—an employment case that gave me some great insight into the client side of the law and the health care industry. I also did a lot of local travel during the deferral period in an attempt to familiarize myself with my new home and the surrounding areas. One such trip was to Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island. The combination of a perfectly placed Adirondack chair and spectacular sunset made that spot one of my favorites…so far.
WH: Tell us a fun fact about yourself...
Lynn: I used to be a part of motivational speaker Tony Robbins' creative team. I traveled around the world with him, writing and researching for his products and seminars. Though I’m not a fanatic, the experience was truly invaluable; I learned a lot about being quick on my feet and staying calm no matter what I'm facing. I am also a competitive horseback rider and I actually own a horse, which I brought up here with me during my move to Boston.
(McCusker on Boise State’s blue turf field.)
Name: Caitlin McCusker
Office: New York
Practice: Litigation/Controversy
School: Columbia Law School
WH: What is it about WilmerHale that made you want to practice here?
McCusker: People in general, when speaking about WilmerHale, said positive things about the work they were doing, the personalities at the firm and how everyone values each other. Such enthusiasm can be hard to find, so I thought it would be a great place to work.
WH: What are you most looking forward to as you begin your practice?
McCusker: I'm excited about the variety. I’m really looking forward to working on a lot of different types of cases and meeting different types of people. I’m also hoping I get to go to trial soon!
WH: How did you spend the summer between graduating law school and starting at the firm?
McCusker: I spent the first half of my summer studying for the bar; then I went on a family vacation to the Baltics. We saw six different countries, including Sweden, Russia and the Netherlands. Stockholm was my favorite of all of the places we visited; I really liked how they balance showcasing their history with still being a very modern city.
WH: Tell us a fun fact about yourself...
McCusker: I am a big fan of science fiction and I actually saw all three Lord of the Rings movies at their midnight showings, the night the movies came out. I also played Division 1 soccer in college and I got to kick a field goal on Boise State’s blue turf field, which was pretty cool.
View the October edition of Meet the New Associates. View the September edition of Meet the New Associates.