While Kaixi ‘Kathy’ Xu began her career at Goldberg Segalla in one area of practice, her relentless drive to tackle new challenges and her practice group leader’s encouragement to explore different areas of law led her to branch out and expand her knowledge and skills.

“I handle a lot of commercial contracts and construction defect litigation cases,” Kathy explained. “These cases are complex and demanding. When I first joined, I told my practice group leader, Joe Hanna, that I wanted exposure to various practice groups. I thrive on challenges and enjoy legal research. I don’t want to get too comfortable.”

It’s somewhat amusing to hear Kathy express her aversion to comfort because there’s nothing about her story that would suggest her success has come easily.

Kathy was born and raised in Chengdu, China, a city of 21 million people in China’s southwest province. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, there was an opportunity to come to the United States. She was curious so she seized the moment, the language barrier notwithstanding. Again, she likes a challenge.

Chinese law is based on civil law, similar to the legal structures found in Germany and Japan. It’s “very different” from the common law system of the United States and Britain, Kathy explained.

“I was very curious since it’s so different,” she said. “So, I decided to come to the U.S. and study law.”

While attending Vanderbilt Law School (where she met a medical student at a Starbucks near campus who would later become her husband), she had an evidence and contractual law professor by the name of Tracey George whose class was anything but easy.

“I always got called on during her class. Like every single one. So, I’d have to prepare really hard and that was challenging for me,” Kathy said. “It also would make me think: ‘OK, so being a lawyer is challenging and fun.’ I like to be challenged and think on my feet. And I remember, one time, she told me: ‘Well, if you enjoy that then you should probably consider doing litigation.’ English, obviously, it’s my second language, so I wasn’t even thinking about doing litigation at all. I was thinking that I could be a transactional lawyer. I could focus on international trade, maybe cross-border, like China-U.S. transactions and those kinds of things. But Professor George encouraged me and opened the door for me. I took more classes, like trial advocacy, moot court and mock trial, and surprisingly, I did fairly well in those classes. So, it kind of inspired the confidence to actually practice litigation in the United States.”

Since entering the legal profession, Kathy has represented a range of clients in civil and commercial matters, including premises liability, personal injury, construction litigation and contract disputes. She’s argued in both state and federal courts, and has built a record of success that includes winning summary judgment motions in trial courts and securing favorable decisions for her clients in appellate courts.

“Asian attorneys are underrepresented. We’re a minority in the legal field, especially women — we’re the minority of the minority,” Kathy said. “In Asian culture, people tend to go to medical school or engineering school more than law school. One reason is because, I think, in Asian cultures, most people are not ‘social people’. Somehow there is a misconception that in being a lawyer you need to be very good at socializing with people, which, I think, is wholly untrue. I think a lot of Asians picture being a lawyer is like watching a drama or TV show where you’re always going to court, which is also not true. We don’t go to court every day. So, I think that kind of scares and prevents Asian college kids to apply to law school or even think about being a lawyer. And also, there’s an information gap. Nobody guides them in what a lawyer’s job is like, especially if there are no family members in the legal field.”

Fortunately, that was not the case for Kathy, whose mother was a lawyer in China. But despite that pedigree, Kathy also was propelled by her own curiosity and ambition.

“When I was a student,” she recalled, “I kind of just e-mailed different lawyers in town and I would say, ‘Hey, you know, I’m viewing this field. I’m very curious. Can I just shadow you one day or two?’ And they generally, if the day was open, would always say ‘yes.’ I never received a rejection.”

That self-motivation Kathy displayed as a student has carried over to her career, especially in the way she serves her clients.

“If I promise them I’m going to deliver something today or tomorrow, I’m going to deliver it today or tomorrow. I keep my promise, always,” she said. “You never throw your client under the bus because they have their audience, their bosses. If they have to get something to their boss in two days, I will never say: ‘You know, I couldn’t finish it’ and leave them empty-handed. I feel that’s how I build trust with clients: through a good work product and by keeping my promise.”

That approach to client service, Kathy said, mirrors the approach you’ll find at Goldberg Segalla nationwide— no matter the office, no matter the practice.

“If a client asks for something, we don’t over promise and under deliver. If we promise something, we will deliver. And to make sure we are able to do that, that involves experience. I feel there is a collegial environment here,” she said. “At Goldberg Segalla, people are very friendly. I can always just pop into a partner’s door and ask questions or just shoot them an e-mail. People never say, ‘Well, this is not a case I’m working on, so I cannot bill for this question. I’m not going to answer it.’ You always find someone who will help. The help here is tremendous.”

In the end, Kathy’s eagerness to accept new challenges and unwavering commitment to client service is what motivates her to ensure those she represents are always positioned to succeed.

“How you bring a practical resolution to a complex case depends on what the complexity is,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the legal issue itself. Then, the answer is to do research and know what options are out there. Sometimes, the complexity is the person — the human being. So you have to manage the client and manage the opposing counsel. I’m a good listener. I’m a good researcher. I’m a fast learner. I think that’s what differentiates me from others.”