TIDA Member Spotlight

The TIDA Member Spotlight will feature one member each month. The spotlighted member will share responses to interesting questions and non-work related photos to build connections among new and seasoned members. Anyone may propose a member to be spotlighted. The committee will alternate each month between industry and legal professionals to increase engagement among our organization. Members can nominate themselves or another member to be featured by sending your recommendation to Megan Early-Soppa, Member Communications Committee Chair.

April 2023

Lara Lickhalter, Cassiday Schade LLP

I live in Chicago, Illinois with my husband Chris and two children, currently 4 and 2 ½. I am originally from San Diego, California but moved to Chicago over 20 years ago (yes, I am crazy enough to move away from perfect weather). I recently learned the importance of a backpack full of snacks while taking my children on a flight to San Diego to visit family.

How long have you been a member of TIDA and why is it important to you to be a member?

I joined TIDA six years ago. I now serve as chair of the TIDA Interactive Education Committee and am a member of the TIDA Annual Seminar Committee. In addition, I helped kickstart the inaugural 30(b)(6) immersive workshop that took place during the 2023 TIDA Skills Course Seminar. My TIDA membership carries with me connection to others in the business, sharing knowledge that supports, promotes and betters the industry, and creating a network of people that I can call friends.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? Why?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I would love to listen to her just tell her story; how she developed the strength to push past the adversity, discrimination and other challenges that stood in her way. 

To date, what has been the most memorable case you have been involved? Why?

Many years ago I handled an emergency response involving a car packed with more children than seat belts. The car experienced a tire blowout on the highway, which caused the vehicle to go into a spin, the trajectory of which caused one of those un-belted children to be ejected from a window and into the path of a tractor-trailer. It was a devastating accident. As I met with my truck driver, I fully grasped the impact that this type of accident has on everyone involved, not just the family of the decedent.

What advice would give to your 25-year old self?

To be your greatest advocate. Whether in your professional career or personal life, success is rarely handed to you without putting in the work and calling it into being. I would tell 25-year-old me to trust your gut and don’t be afraid to take ownership for your success.

Where would you travel if you know there was a chance you would have to stay there for up to a year?

St. John in the US Virgin Islands. It is a beautiful island with the power to wash away your stresses.