July.14.2021
Congratulations to Supreme Court and Appellate partner Mel Bostwick on being named to Bloomberg Law’s inaugural “They’ve Got Next – 40 under 40” list, which recognizes the “accomplishments of sterling young lawyers nationwide.”
This feature highlights Mel’s major wins in the appellate courts, including her precedent-setting work in a Federal Circuit case that opened the door for more than 100,000 Blue Water Navy veterans to secure long-denied benefits arising from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Mel told the publication that her pro bono work for veterans ranks among her proudest achievements.
Mel also discussed her definition of success in her appellate practice. “The easiest (and truthful) answer is that success means achieving the client’s goals, whether that’s winning an appeal or positioning for a favorable settlement or incrementally advancing the law. But I’m not satisfied with just that. I consider a project a success if I’ve been able to cultivate a true team atmosphere where everyone participating has their contributions valued and recognized. It’s important to me to make sure that each person feels ownership in our successes.”