It seems that out of all the jobs in the world, becoming a lawyer is one seen everywhere. Books, movies, television show, magazines, and more present a fierce attorney taking on case after case and winning each and every one. Yet, as in most media-based job depictions, a real-life lawyer has a much different role. To take a closer inspection of this, Kristen Pologruto agreed to be interviewed about her job. She works as an E-Discovery Attorney for Reed Smith LLP. E-Discovery is the process of identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored data for litigation purposes.  

When asked about her favorite part of her workplace, Mrs. Pologruto said, “I like working in a team. It gives you a sense of pride.” 

The team she is referring to is litigation-based. Litigation is another term for a lawsuit. She works as a senior advisor for her group. In many ways, teamwork can be found intertwined in many areas of expertise, as well as in life. Law is a very stress inducing profession, and working with multiple people can reduce the pressure put on a single person.  

Her dream position within her law firm is to take over for the pro-bono counsel and to help refugees in the Middle East. When asked, Mrs. Pologruto said that she “felt strongly” about being a humanitarian. She is passionate about world events and their impacts on people. Since she works in a different area of expertise, though, I asked if there have been any cases that affected her. She responded, saying there “was not”. She stated that since she does not work directly with the client, she doesn’t feel a personal connection to each case.  

Even though she has not been affected by working with larger companies, Mrs. Pologruto still spends a large amount of time working. Like many professions, long hours are the standard and time off is a rarity. On the topic of work hours, she commented, “Yes, I can set my own hours. It [litigation projects] work by deadline. It’s almost like school.”  

Law requires much education to become certified. After four years of college, one must go to law school and pass the bar exam. After Kristen Pologruto did all of that, she worked as a courtroom clerk. And although she says she has not had any special opportunities within her current job, knowing all of the circuit judges in Maryland was one perk of her position of courtroom clerk. 

She enjoys her current position, as she has “topped off” in her field. She is a senior advisor in her group. Mainly, she helps other attorneys with litigation and advises the overall work of every person in her group. I asked what she saw herself doing in five years within the company, and she said the same position. When asked to clarify, she stated that she likes the field she is currently in.  

When working in an area like this, many times it can become monotonous, with doing the same thing over and over for years, but rest assured knowing that life never comes without obstacles. And just like the courtroom lawyers we so often see in television, there are bumps in every case. Whether or not that case has to do with law is up to who you are, but this opportunity to interview someone who at the same time embodies and rejects the stereotypes put on her is one I will never forget.