LawHer - Ep 08: Kelly Burris, Cordell & Cordell — New Perspectives: Family Law and Cryptocurrency

TL;DR

Kelly Burris, a senior litigation partner at Cordell and Cordell, shares her journey to success in the legal field, balancing work and family as a single mom, and her expertise in the intersection of cryptocurrency and the law.

Transcript

i see a lot of attorneys coming up that some have gotten that piece and some have not and the ones that haven't they don't understand why they're not advancing quite as quickly as some of the ones that are looking to make partner find time to strategically go the extra mile and it's because they may be great practitioners they may be great you know... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Building a support system through law school can lead to lifelong friendships and valuable connections in the legal field.
• 😀 A successful legal career often involves going the extra mile, taking on speaking engagements, writing articles, and being a team player.
• 🧑‍🎓 Law schools are placing greater emphasis on practical skills and offering internships and clinics to provide students with real-world experience.
• 👪 Family law offers unique rewards and challenges, as it involves supporting families during their most vulnerable moments.
• 💳 Cryptocurrency assets can be challenging to uncover in family law cases, but careful review of bank and credit card statements can reveal evidence. Forensic experts may be necessary to trace transactions and evaluate significant holdings.
• 🉐 Cryptocurrency is gaining mainstream recognition and is predicted to become a common component of individuals' investment portfolios and financial transactions in the future.
• 🗺️ Kelly Burris's dream job outside of law would involve traveling as an international travel writer, combining her passion for travel and exploration with her career.

Questions & Answers

Q: What made Kelly Burris choose family law as her primary focus?

Kelly Burris was drawn to family law because it allowed her to help families during their toughest times and achieve fair and equitable outcomes for them. She finds it rewarding to assist clients in navigating the challenges of family breakups.

Q: How did Kelly Burris secure her position as a senior litigation partner?

Kelly Burris's path to becoming a senior litigation partner involved lateral transfers, getting board certified in Texas, and actively involving herself in professional development opportunities. She volunteered, wrote and spoke about her expertise, and developed a reputation as a team player, which helped her stand out within her firm.

Q: How does Kelly Burris approach the discovery process when dealing with cryptocurrency assets in family law cases?

Kelly Burris begins by asking specific questions about cryptocurrency in discovery requests. She analyzes bank statements and credit card transactions to identify any purchases related to cryptocurrency. If necessary, she hires forensic experts to trace the transactions further and evaluate significant cryptocurrencies.

Q: What is the future of cryptocurrency in law?

Kelly Burris predicts that as more attorneys become knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, it will no longer be easy to hide assets through this medium. Cryptocurrency holdings will become more common, similar to traditional investment plans like 401(k)s and brokerage accounts. The market may become more stable, and major cryptocurrencies will likely be integrated into everyday financial transactions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kelly Burris fell into her legal career, initially unsure of what she wanted to do but found a passion for family law while working as a juvenile prosecutor and doing child protective services work.

• She emphasizes the importance of building a support system during law school and the value of teamwork and common interests among law school cohorts.

• Burris believes that law schools are now focusing more on practical skills and offering internships and clinics to prepare future practitioners for real-world legal work.