On July 17, HGD Law Firm had the pleasure of welcoming students from the UAB Pre-Law Program, along with law clerks from Redemption Earned, for an engaging Meet & Greet event that blended mentorship, real-world insight, and a warm introduction to life inside a client-centered law firm.
The event brought together a diverse group of legal professionals, offering students a rare opportunity to explore career paths, ask candid questions, and get a glimpse of what a future in (or even adjacent to) the legal field might look like. HGD Marketing Coordinator Mary Ashton Byrd moderated a thoughtful and honest roundtable discussion titled “Paths to Law & Beyond,” featuring panelists from various corners of the profession:
- Catherine Davis – Offering a perspective from litigation and client advocacy
- Katelyn Shelton – Sharing her unique journey as a paralegal with a Master of Laws
- Caroline Hollingsworth – Discussing the demands and rewards of mass tort work
- Jeanie Sleadd – Reflecting on resilience in mass tort and class action work
- Erik Heninger – Drawing from decades of experience in personal injury litigation
We were especially honored to have The Honorable Teresa Pulliam in attendance, who continues to play an instrumental role in shaping the UAB Pre-Law Program. Her presence—and her ongoing mentorship of aspiring legal minds—underscored the deeper mission of this event: to equip the next generation with not just knowledge, but clarity and encouragement.
After a tour of the firm and informal meet-and-greets with our attorneys and staff, the group shared lunch and continued conversations about career pivots, the realities of legal practice, and what it means to work in a firm committed to client-first service and resilience.
At HGD, we believe investing in future leaders is part of our duty as legal professionals. This visit was a reminder that mentorship doesn’t have to be grand—it just has to be real, accessible, and anchored in integrity.
