Breaking the Ice: Early experience informs tips for junior attorneys

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Cianna Guerra Halloran’s journey as a newer attorney defies the adage that most cases never go to trial.

In slightly more than a year after becoming licensed, Halloran, a Winthrop & Weinstine associate, had gone to trial on two complex civil litigation cases. She’s preparing for a third.

Halloran, who focuses on civil litigation, shared advice on how junior lawyers can add value to a trial team in the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Bench & Bar magazine.

“If I’m focused on the things that I’m given and do those things well and listen intentionally in the meetings and calls and emails that I’m cc’d on, when things come up that require my attention or where I can pitch in, I can rely on that knowledge to contribute meaningfully,” Halloran said.

Junior attorneys who listen and take notes on what others are doing can offer reminders about deadlines or follow-up items, Halloran said.

Name: Cianna Guerra Halloran

Title: Associate, Winthrop & Weinstine

Education: B.A., political science, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: Mention anything about Brazil. My mother is Brazilian, so that side of my family is Brazilian and I’m half Brazilian. I grew up visiting the country every two years. I speak Portuguese. If they visited Brazil, if they’re going, if they’ve tried Brazilian food, I love talking about it. I’m a very extroverted, charismatic person, and people can talk to me pretty easily about any subject.

Q: Why law school?

A: It was always in the back of my mind. Based on my multicultural background, I thought I’d be an international lawyer because I’m a dual citizen who speaks two languages. This was before I realized what jurisdiction was, and that being an international lawyer is different than I had pictured. I work with some Brazilian clients of my own to fill that passion of mine. But that initial desire of going to law school turned into what I do now, in civil litigation.

Q: What are you reading?

A: “Beyond the Point” by Claire Gibson, about three women who go to West Point. While they’re there, 9/11 happens, and after their time they get deployed.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: Being interrupted. As a younger woman, if I work up the nerve to speak and somebody interrupts me, it can be sort of annoying and frustrating.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: The strategy and the people. I love litigation, because it’s a game of trying to understand what the other side will do and how we’ll respond. You’re usually strategizing with colleagues, so I get to work with process and debate with people in the office, and I love that.

Q: Most challenging?

A: Figuring out when to talk and what to say. I have more confidence as a third-year attorney. But there are still challenges when more senior people are in the room, clients are in the room, when opposing counsel is in the room.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: If I’m taking work off, I love to travel. I love to go back to Brazil to see my family. After work, I love weightlifting. I’ve done it for over 10 years. It’s a great stress reliever.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: Prior Lake. It’s a gorgeous lake with an amazing restaurant, Charlie’s, that serves great food.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: A professor I had in law school, Mariana Gonstead, who was born and raised in Venezuela. She made a career out of alternative dispute resolution, resolving conflicts between companies and governments internationally.

Q: Misconception that others have about your work?

A: That junior lawyers don’t do substantive work. I haven’t found that at Winthrop. I did very substantive work as a first-year associate in a big law firm.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “The Good Wife.” She’s intelligent, and the show is well written. For comedic relief, “Suits.” It’s unrealistic but a great drama. “The Firm,” with Tom Cruise, is a classic.