Laura Schwendeman is an associate at Kleinfeld Kaplan & Becker, LLP.
She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. While in law school, administrative law stood out as her favorite course (shoutout to Professor Miriam Seifter), but, unsure how to translate that area of law into a career, she chose to pursue opportunities that interested, her without a traditional career path in mind.
Laura’s first legal experience was as an intern for a federal agency which led to a position with an office of administrative law judges as a judicial clerk and attorney advisor. Earlier this year, she left federal service and joined a boutique FDA firm. She recently applied to waive into the DC bar and is practicing under the supervision of DC bar members. Laura is excited to see where her career goes from this point and is enjoying learning something new every single day.
When did you join the WBA?
2025
Why did you join the WBA?
I wanted to branch out and make more connections within the legal field during a time of uncertainty in our profession. I also was encouraged to join by my close friend and former coworker, Jessica Killeen.
What benefits do you get from being a part of the WBA and why do you think others should join?
As an attorney who entered federal service directly out of law school, I did not have much experience navigating the private sector job market, interviewing, and networking, especially in D.C., as I am originally from the Midwest. WBA’s career catalyst series webinars significantly impacted my ability to handle a major career transition this year. Outside of the professional skill benefits, I think the WBA offers a community of women who desire to look out for and support one another in a career that can often feel like a solo sport.
Do you have a mentor/hero?
All the mentors in my life have been women who came before me in the legal profession and were willing to spend time to guide me. Judge Dierdra M. Howard, the judge I clerked for in the federal government, helped build my confidence and acted as my unintended career coach. Elisabeth P. Nolte, the federal government trial attorney (now administrative judge), supervised me as an intern in law school and has been a consistent source of guidance and friendship ever since. Angela Jackson, the litigation partner who gave me my first job in the legal profession, encouraged and motivated me to pursue a career in law. And finally, my mother, a career patent attorney, who combined her love of engineering and law to carve her own career path, showed me that opportunities often don’t happen but are created.
What words of advice do you have for women new to the profession?
I’ve found that there are a lot of unspoken rules in the legal profession regarding what kind of practice and career paths are expected of us. I’ve never been one to listen to those. If someone else is going to place limitations on you, that’s one thing, but I don’t recommend being the person to place limitations on yourself. I encourage you to only give weight to the opinions of those who know you and care about your success.
What is the best advice you have received?
Judge Howard would often tell me, “You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just need to know your immediate next step.” That really helped me get out of my own way as a perpetual planner.
What other organizations are you involved in (professional, civic, etc.)?
I am a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI), the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the American Constitution Society (ACS). I am also, of course, a member of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia!