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Thomas C. Sand, a legal partner at Miller Nash, was packing up his briefcase to leave the courtroom when he heard trial attorney and colleague Michelle Barton Smigel speak up to the judge who had just denied a motion by the two attorneys.

Smigel challenged the judge鈥檚 reasoning that had led to the denial. Sand stood at the counsel table, listening in amazement as the judge engaged in further discussion with Smigel.

鈥溾�� Michelle eventually turned him around to the point that he granted our motion and dismissed the entire case, resulting in a complete win for our client,鈥� Sand wrote in a letter nominating Smigel for the Up & Coming Lawyer awards.

Smigel says her deep-rooted commitment to pursuing justice and fairness was instilled in her as a child. Her father was an attorney and her mother taught English, and conversations about ethics, justice and the strength of words were common fare for the family. Books such as 鈥淭o Be a Slave鈥� and 鈥淣ight鈥� re-enforced her belief that 鈥渙ne has the responsibility to speak up against injustice, no matter how uncomfortable, stressful or unpopular it might make one feel at the time.鈥�

At the age of 5, she decided she wanted to be a lawyer as 鈥渕y small endeavor to make the world more just,鈥� she said.

She received her degree from Notre Dame Law School, where she served as executive editor of The Notre Dame Law Review. She joined Miller Nash and was named a partner 鈥渁t the earliest opportunity,鈥� Sand wrote in Smigel鈥檚 nomination.

Her ability to remain calm and focused during even the most stressful trials has created an impression among colleagues. During a 鈥渨histleblower鈥� retaliation case, Smigel stayed steady and cool as she argued 鈥� and won 鈥� the case for her client.

鈥淒uring this especially challenging and high-profile jury trial, Michelle displayed a level of firm and quiet confidence seldom seen in even the most seasoned trial lawyer,鈥� Sand wrote.

Smigel says her ability to remain cool under fire results from focusing on one key factor.

鈥淲hether in a deposition, oral argument, or trial, I am always highly aware that I am the voice of our client,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd with that substantial responsibility comes an obligation to think not of myself or my nerves but rather to say or do what needs to be said or done on behalf of that client.鈥�

What was your most useful law school course (and why)?

Deposition Techniques. Taking a deposition is more of an art than it seems at first blush.

If you hadn鈥檛 become an attorney, what career would you have pursued?

Writer.

Finish this sentence: Happiness is 鈥�

My husband鈥檚 spaghetti dinner with family and friends.

Oregon Coast or Mount Hood?

Oregon Coast.

What famous person would you most like to have a drink or dinner with?

Deceased: St. Thomas Aquinas, Living: Manti Te鈥檕.