Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano is proud to announce that Associate Erica Shikunov has earned a Master of Laws degree in trial advocacy from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She will be graduating with honors May 16.
The one-year, 24-credit degree program has been ranked in the top three in the nation for more than 20 years by the U.S. News & World report. It is designed for practicing lawyers with real-world experience, helping them master their advocacy skills. The performance-based curriculum focuses both on litigation tactics and courtroom presentation.
The degree will allow Erica to provide clients with more effective advocacy. The course covered the entirety of the litigation process, including everything from depositions and expert witnesses to jury dynamics and courtroom technology.
The attorneys enrolled in the program came from all over the country and had a wide range of experience—from those right out of law school to elite, seasoned veterans.
“You get to see how different attorneys with a range of backgrounds do things,” Erica said. “It broadens your way of thinking.”
The ability to meet and study with so many talented colleagues and present simulated cases before real judges offered a unique learning opportunity.
“The tools and tricks I’ve learned are valuable and the opportunity to meet and network and make an impression in front of judges I may try a case in front of or argue an appeal in front of will certainly help further our employment law practice.” Erica said. “But the confidence I’ve built in myself and my abilities in the courtroom as a result of participating in this program is priceless.”
Erica leads Pond Lehocky’s employment law department, which she helped launch. She concentrates her practice on wrongful termination and workplace discrimination matters.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre and political science from Loyola University Chicago and her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Since the beginning of her career, she has dedicated her practice to employment law and workers’ compensation. Prior to joining Pond Lehocky, Erica worked for two regional defense firms.