2021 Ones to Watch: Amanda Grannis, Ingram Yuzek Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti LLP

Name: Amanda Grannis

Title: Associate

Company Name: Ingram Yuzek Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti LLP

Real estate associations or organizations that you are currently a member of:
New York City Bar Association, Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA)

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I recently conducted a deposition of a witness who was very aggressive and uncooperative. Nonetheless, I maintained my composure for the entirety of the examination and refused to allow the witness to rattle me. Because I “kept my cool,” I hit all of the key areas of questioning that I wished to address over the course of the deposition. It does take practice, but I think it is important to be the calmest person in the room on these occasions. This will allow you to stay focused and press forward with the goals you have set forth.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Oddly enough, I wanted to be an actor for a large portion of my adolescence. While I later developed ambitions towards practicing law, I have noticed that a lot of the aspects that I loved about acting are inherent in litigation. For example, as a litigator you need to become comfortable with public speaking. Oral arguments, whether before a judge or jury, are, in many ways, performances that should be practiced and perfected.

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
I am fortunate enough to work at a firm that is truly collaborative, team-oriented, and incredibly supportive. Because of the this positive work culture, everyone works together to develop solutions when issues arise in a particular case. Essentially, we have an open atmosphere where anyone is free to discuss their ideas on how to tackle a particular problem. I also think we all are inherently motivated despite potential obstacles because we genuinely care about our clients and producing high-quality work product on their behalf.

Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career?
My mother always believed in my abilities and was my constant cheerleader. Sadly, my mother passed away during my second year of law school, but at this time I continued to work hard towards achieving my professional goals in honor of her sacrifices and legacy. I know she would be very proud of my accomplishments and I always think of what she would say to encourage me when I have moments of insecurity or self-doubt. More so, my mother’s bravery and positive attitude with regard to her illness continue to inspire me today when I am confronted with professional or personal hurdles.

How do you contribute to your community or your profession?
I have had the fortune of working on some very interesting pro-bono matters earlier on in my career. In one of these matters, I was able to assist a criminal defendant with an appeal brought before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. While this defendant would not have been able to afford to hire private counsel, because he was represented with a pro-bono, he was able to have a fighting chance in winning his appeal. In the future, I hope to have the opportunity to work on more pro-bono matters that involve worthy causes. Because quality representation can be prohibitively expensive to many, pro-bono work is vital to leveling the playing field.

Top three things on your bucket list:
I have a running list of travel destinations that I aspire to visit one day. Right now, my top three destinations are Paris, Barcelona, and Prague.

Favorite quote:
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington