This week’s “Five Questions with…” features Abbey Furlong, one of Lane & Waterman’s newest partners (the other is her husband) and soon-to-be mom to two.

1. What was your favorite class in law school? Trial Advocacy.

2. What is one of the biggest challenges facing the legal profession? One of the biggest challenges facing young lawyers – and those interested in becoming trial lawyers in particular – is the vanishing jury trial. The vast majority of civil cases today are settled for various reasons, so it’s more difficult for young aspiring litigators to develop their trial skills and it becomes more important than ever to seek out a seasoned trial attorney to serve as a mentor.

3. What advice would you give to aspiring young lawyers? Take your legal writing and research classes seriously and develop those skills by taking advanced courses if they are offered. Those are the skills that are most tested and scrutinized during summer clerkships, which are essentially 10 to 12 week-long job interviews for a permanent position.

4. What book are you reading right now? When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.

5. Quad City-style pizza, love it or hate it?  Hate it! Pizza is meant to be eaten with your hands and rectangular strips is quite possibly the most awkward way to eat a slice of pizza.

Learn more about Abbey at https://l-wlaw.com/attorneys/abbey-c-furlong/.