There was never any question Asha Edwards had the personality and traits to be an attorney. Intelligent, personable, inquisitive – yes, argumentative as well, with a tendency to challenge things – her family and teachers would often say, ‘oh, you should be a lawyer one day.’

But it wasn’t until a few years into her legal career when she learned the secret of how to succeed as an attorney, a secret unlocked for her with the help of Goldberg Segalla partner Sean J. McKinley, who impressed upon Asha the importance of simply being herself.

“He really changed my perspective on how to approach business development,” said Asha, a Garden City-based partner in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice group. “Before I made partner, I was struggling on how to market and get my name out there and he gave me the best advice. He said: ‘connect with clients organically and be authentically yourself,’ and that has brought me a long way. Watching him manage clients also helped me to understand how to build lasting relationships and not just focus on the business element of the relationship.”

For Asha, Sean’s advice amounted to far more than just some helpful suggestion. It quite literally transformed her career, serving as the guiding principle in how Asha now approaches her practice and “shows up as a leader” for other members of her team — especially younger attorneys.

“I’ve adopted a mentorship approach with a lot of the attorneys on my team and a commitment to supporting them. I make myself available to talk about work, personal issues, whatever they need me for. I’ve really narrowed my focus to what works for me and what keeps my authenticity in place, and it’s guided me on how I approach my relationship with clients and how I help manage my team.”

Asha’s practice is focused on handling high-exposure commercial construction litigation surrounding large-scale projects, most of which involved Contractor-Controlled and/or Owner-Controlled insurance programs. The claims are often very complex, involving construction workers who’ve suffered numerous injuries and require multiple surgeries. Damages of several millions of dollars are frequently sought and fraud is not unusual.

“I like cases that are not accepted by the client – cases that are fraudulent or that were staged, where the accident could not have occurred as it was described by the claimant or plaintiff,” said Asha. “Those cases give me an opportunity to really dig into them, come up with strategies and figure out the best plan for my client. I was built to be a litigator and so I enjoy this mix of strategy, litigation, and client interaction.”

When it comes to client service, Asha takes a holistic approach, looking beyond the mere legalities of the case before her and learning all she can about her client’s project, mission, goals, and business challenges. It’s an approach, she said, that enables her to “build relationships, stay authentic and deliver high quality work.”

“I meet clients where they are,” Asha said. “I don’t try to change them to fit my litigation style. I set clear expectations. I let them know what they can expect from me, my team and Goldberg Segalla, and I try my best to follow through with those expectations. I do not make promises that I cannot keep. I make sure that clients feel heard, that their issues are addressed, and I take time to explain strategy, risk, and exposure. When something is not ideal, sometimes it’s tough letting them know that we cannot prevail on an issue. But I’m honest, upfront and explain all the issues and that helps them to build their trust in me.”

Integral to building that trust is ensuring clients understand at the outset of their case the full scenario with which they’re confronted: the hurdles and obstacles, their best defense options, and the full range of possible outcomes.

“A lot of my clients and the players involved are well-versed in construction and what’s at stake. So instead of focusing solely just on the theory and legal aspects behind a case, I often try to give clients clear strategies and a clear path on how to move forward. I rely on my litigation experience, my knowledge of the industry and my understanding of my clients’ goals to translate complicated legal matters into clearer, actionable solutions.”

Now in her fifteenth year of her legal career, Asha said she stays motivated by constantly searching for new ways to grow as a litigator.

“I don’t accept the status quo. I force myself to handle the most challenging cases and try new things. I embrace new opportunities as they come,” she said. “Being an attorney is a privilege and an honor that I do not take lightly. It’s about being an advocate, a problem solver, and a partner with my clients. I take great pride in my litigation strengths and my ability to argue complex issues before Workers’ Compensation law judges and getting great results. I take great pride in helping my clients navigate their issues and solve their problems.”

Asha said that while she believes she has grown as an attorney every year of her career, she noted her evolution is not only a testament to her own determination but to the generosity of others who have helped her along the way.

“As an immigrant who came to this country at 19 years old from a tiny island called Dominica, I had big goals, big dreams and determination. And I just want to say that the American dream is still alive and real,” she said. “Along my journey, I was supported with incredible mentors, a support system, colleagues and opportunities to take me to every level that I needed to get to. The early years were challenging, navigating coming to this country, a new culture and expectations. And sometimes I felt overwhelmed. But I reminded myself why I was here, and what has kept me grounded is a combination of my faith, my family, my work ethic and my colleagues who took the time to believe in me.”

That’s why, Asha said, she has committed herself to “paying it forward” and being there to mentor and guide others in the legal profession. And, she added, that’s also why she’s thankful for Goldberg Segalla, where teamwork, diversity and mentorship are embedded deeply into the firm’s culture.

“We have to provide mentorship, opportunities, and supportive environments for attorneys to thrive, especially female attorneys. More women are entering the profession, stepping into leadership roles like myself, and there is increased recognition of the value that women bring,” said Asha, a leader in Goldberg Segalla’s Women’s Initiative and someone who works hard to balance her own career as a litigator with being a dedicated and involved mother of two children.

“At Goldberg Segalla we have a Women’s Initiative program that creates a supportive environment for female attorneys. So, there’s an environment where women can thrive and not just survive,” she said. “I’ve been at Goldberg Segalla for over nine years, and I’ve truly grown as an attorney while also being able to balance my personal life. That’s not something that I take for granted because it doesn’t happen at every law firm.”