NLD Member Spotlight: Alison Adelman

Alison Adelman, Esq., juggles many priorities as a practicing attorney and a new mother. Adelman is an attorney at the San Diego office of Ogletree Deakins. Her practice primarily focuses on employment defense cases, including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims. She appreciates the delicacy and complexity of her cases. 

Her Time in Law School

Prior to attending law school, Adelman earned her B.S. in Business, cum laude, from the University of Connecticut, where she pitched for the Division I softball team. Her passion for softball began at an early age and continued during high school, where she was ultimately inducted into her high school’s Sports Hall of Fame.

During her law school years, Adelman had the opportunity to garner valuable experience in different sectors. She externed for the Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, clerked at prominent local firm, and worked at a local school district. She encourages law students to get involved in different areas of law, including different sectors to figure out which path best suits their interests.

“Law school is very different from practicing law,” she notes. “Every attorney is faced with a learning curve as soon as they begin the practice of law.” Adelman also emphasizes that “there is no right or wrong way to litigate” and that the best way to learn is through the trial and error of hands-on experience.

While she attended the University of San Diego School of Law, Adelman was an Executive Editor of the San Diego International Law Journal and competed as an associate on the Appellate Moot Court Board. She was awarded the Best Respondent Brief at the McLennon Moot Court Competition.

What Has Inspired Her Legal Career?

Adelman knew early on in her career that she wanted to litigate and try cases. Inspired by her father’s work ethic and success, Adelman recognizes her father as her mentor, her role model, and her main reason for pursuing a career in law. During his 40 years of practicing law in San Diego, Adelman’s father served as SDCBA President, California State Bar President, and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Adelman was fortunate enough to second chair a trial with her father and hopes to get more trial experience in the coming year. As an attorney, Adelman strives to strengthen her reputation, like her father, in the San Diego legal community.

Within her eight years of practice, Adelman has indeed established herself as a leader and litigator. She was included as a 2022 SDCBA Leadership Academy Scholar. The SDCBA Leadership Academy equips selected members with essential skills and relationships to be effective leaders. She also recently contributed to an appellate brief that was heard by the California Court of Appeal earlier this month.

Adelman’s Advice for Young Lawyers

Adelman is an active member of the Lawyers Club of San Diego as well as the SDCBA, where she previously served on the Labor and Employment Section’s Executive Committee. Adelman also currently serves as President of her high school’s Alumni Board and encourages alumni to stay connected. Looking back on her journey as a lawyer, Adelman would tell her younger self: “You cannot change the facts of a case, so do not stress yourself out trying to change them.” She added that litigation is demanding in it of itself, and you should not lose sleep for something out of your control.

Adelman equally emphasizes the importance of maintaining civility: “I think a lot of attorneys lose sight of civility while zealously advocating for their clients. It is possible to form an amicable relationship with opposing counsel even in very contentious cases.”

Outside of work, she fills her time by staying active and has completed five half-marathons. She and her husband also recently welcomed their firstborn child in October 2022 and are navigating the waters of parenthood. She looks forward to the challenges this new year will bring her on all fronts, but we know she is more than prepared to step into the batter’s box and take care of business!