Q: Can you share with our audience, the types of law you specialize in?
JC: Our firm focuses on employment law – assisting both employers and employees to navigate all aspects of the employment relationship. 

Q: What aspects of the daily job of being a lawyer interest you the most?
JC: I love helping others. Being able to interact with clients from all different backgrounds and hear about their struggles is what motivates me to go out and zealously fight for them. I really enjoy that interpersonal connection and how rewarding it is to work towards achieving a goal together. 

Q: What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?
JC: My philosophy is that “winning” looks different for each client, depending on their individual needs, situation, and objectives. I approach every new case by helping to brainstorm and present as many options as possible for a path to resolution so that we can collectively choose how to proceed.  

Q: What are the best practices you have employed to build a successful career? 
JC: One of my father’s “rules to live by” growing up was to always tell the truth. That guiding principle has been essential to my growth and success over the years. As lawyers, we are essentially seekers of the truth. The discovery process is a treasure hunt for information - to uncover evidence supporting or disproving what someone is asserting as “truth.”

Being honest and candid in our discussions with clients to effectively communicate the strengths and weaknesses of a given case is crucial to set expectations. No one enjoys being the bearer of bad news, but sometimes you need to have those hard discussions and I have found that honesty is the best policy, like dad always said. 

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
JC: Finding my voice. Growing up, I was always the quiet one in school. Speaking out, even if I knew the answer, made me extremely uncomfortable and turn red in the face. In law school it is impossible to avoid being called on, so I was pushed – far out of my comfort zone – to organize all of the racing thoughts in my head and be able to vocalize them in a coherent succinct manner. As an attorney, I still have nerves, but I have learned that preparation and practice bring the confidence needed to overcome those and focus on the task at hand. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
JC: My mother is a huge inspiration and role model. She has shown me that strength comes in many forms, and she continually challenges me to be the best version of myself. Besides my mother, RBG has always been a woman I will forever look up to for her amazing bravery and unwavering conviction to stand up for what is right in the face of adversity. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
JC: Keep going but be flexible in working to achieve your goals. Just because you did not get there when or how you intended does not mean that you are a failure. Remain open-minded and keep pursuing your dreams with grit and determination. 

Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
JC: Silent Warrior. A title I feel that many women, especially those in law or other male-driven careers, can relate to. 

Five Things About Jesse Clouse 

1. What's your favorite family tradition? 
Opening presents on Christmas Eve. 

2. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Gardening, baking desserts, or spending time with my four pets. 

3. What’s the most amazing adventures have you’ve ever been on? 
Camping all along the coast of British Columbia … hiking to glaciers and turquoise lakes. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever experienced. 

4. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done? 
Skydiving by myself on a whim … it quickly became one of my favorite hobbies.    

5. Favorite Dessert? 
Anything chocolate … and I especially can’t turn down a good molten cake.