NexGen Committee Interview

Melissa Lin, Partner, Righi Fitch Law Group

  1. If you could give your 25-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be? Success isn’t dependent on how many times you win, but on how you handle, respond, and learn from setbacks and losses.
  2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? The superpower that I would like to have is the ability to answer any question that is asked.
  3. What has been your most notable career accomplishment so far? My most notable career accomplishment was being named as one of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s 2018 Best Under Forty in the country. This award recognized both my professional achievements in the practice of law, and my strong commitment to Asian American Pacific Islanders civic and community affairs.
  4. What is a secret skill/talent you have? My six-year-old son loves video games, but I am horrible at them except for Just Dance. I usually beat others in that game because I love to dance.
  5. What is the biggest goal you have for yourself in the next five years? My biggest goal in the next five years is to continue building my practice and trial skills.
  6. What is the biggest value you receive from being a member of Themis? The knowledge that any cases that are referred to other Themis attorneys will be handled by the most skilled and trusted attorneys
  7. What is your favorite event Themis hosts? Include info about a specific year if you’d like. My favorite event is the Annual Meeting because it is a chance for all of the Themis attorneys, clients, and friends to gather together.
  8. What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Family movie nights with my husband and six year old twins and going to the gym to destress.
  9. What made you want to pursue a career in the legal field? In college, I was a molecular and cellular biology major, and took a class on bioethics. The class discussed the lack of individuals with science backgrounds who enter the practice of law, and how having a science background could be helpful to the practice of law. Understanding the importance and difference that science has made in many cases inspired me to go to law school.
  10. What piece of advice would you offer young lawyers wanting to advance in their careers? The career path for attorneys is not always the same, especially for diverse and women attorneys. Continue to evaluate your career goals, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want
  11. What piece of advice would you offer young lawyers wanting to get involved in Themis? It is a great organization and provides different opportunities to meet and work with excellent attorneys from around the country.
  12. When did you get involved with Themis? Although I have previously attended Themis events I got more involved in Themis in 2021.
  13. Where did you go to college and law school? I went to college and law school at the University of Arizona.
  14. Who do you look up to the most and why? I look up to my parents who came to the US in college from Taiwan. They owned and ran a small motel for thirty-seven years, working and living in the motel for twenty four hours a day seven days a week. Through their hard work and sacrifice they were able to send and support my brother through medical school and myself through law school. I learned what hard work and dedication is by watching them.
  15. Why did you get involved with Themis? I got involved with Themis because of the high caliber of all of the attorneys and the unique and interesting events that the organization puts on for the attorneys, clients, and friend.