Lightfoot Attorney Spotlight for Kaitlyn Faucett
December 20, 2020
Why did you want to become a lawyer?
It is one of the few professions that allows every single day to be different. Being a lawyer provides you with an opportunity to hone a particular set of skills that can be translated case-to-case no matter the subject matter, while also exposing you to, and forcing you to become an expert on, topics you thought you went to law school to avoid. Since graduating, I have had to learn the ins and outs of drilling wells, predicting weather patterns, projecting and trading energy usage, as well as various medical procedures. The challenge of learning something new, coupled with the satisfaction of being able to apply that knowledge to achieve a desired outcome, was a huge draw to the profession. But, if I’m being completely honest, like so many litigators, I’m also just competitive and like winning (in whatever form it manifests).
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
Know when to stop talking. No matter how much you say, you will never convince the other side that you should win; but, listening while an opponent tries to convince you of why they should win will not only teach you volumes about your opponent, it will also provide you with invaluable information about your own case.
Is there a piece of advice you could offer to someone looking to pursue a similar career?
Set goals for your practice, work tirelessly to achieve them, and then set new ones. Never stop learning.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A professor once told me that in this business it takes about five years to actually know what you are doing, develop your style, stop second guessing yourself, and be confident in the professional you have become. It was advice that seemed crazy in the moment, as all young lawyers think they come out of law school and are prepared to conquer the world, but it could not have been more true.
What is one thing you’re exceptionally good at?
Sticking to my guns.
What do you enjoy doing during your free time?
Spending time with my friends and family, baking, and traveling to new places, even the not so glamorous ones.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?
An event planner.
How do you clear your mind after a bad day?
Disconnecting from technology, going to the gym or taking my dog for a run, and a big glass of wine.
If you could compete in an Olympic sport, what would it be?
Gymnastics.
