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As an avid traveler, Laurie Sherwood spends her spare time enjoying adventures throughout the world. In the past few years, she has visited Vietnam, Cape Cod, Laos, Bruges, and London. While Laurie enjoys a trip just about anywhere in the world, Paris holds a dear place in her heart. “I could walk and explore for days,” she said. “There is always something beautiful or interesting to look at, along with amazing food to enjoy.” For Laurie, traveling to favorite and new and different places opens her eyes and renews her spirit. Next up for Laurie is India.

A partner in our San Francisco office, Laurie is lucky enough to combine her hobby of traveling with her practice of law. As the head of Walsworth’s travel, tourism and hospitality practice in San Francisco, Laurie represents travel agencies and companies, tour operators, travel insurance companies, and hotels in a wide variety of federal and state court cases that include issues ranging from disgruntled travelers to catastrophic injuries. Laurie also focuses her practice on representing companies in employment and life sciences litigation.

Here are Laurie’s answers to some of the questions posed to her about her life and career:

Who is your mentor or the person you most admire?
Fr. Greg Boyle, for the work he has done with Homeboy Industries, for his selflessness, and for the spiritual and human inspiration he is to me and so many people.

If someone were to write a book about you, what do you think the title should be?
The Kind Traveler

What does being part of the Walsworth Family mean to you?
I have been at the firm almost 24 years, and the firm and people have very much been my second home and family. Over the years, we have forged many special friendships, shared many victories together, and experienced births, weddings and deaths. One of the most important things from a legal perspective is knowing that you always have someone to turn to for insight and advice when cases get tough—no matter how long you have practiced law.

What’s the most unexpected or amusing thing you’ve experienced while practicing law and why?
Amusing: The plaintiffs who claimed they did not see enough camels! Unexpected: The long-standing client friendships forged along the way!

What made you decide to go to law school/become a lawyer?
While studying for my master’s degree in school administration (secondary), I took a law class and found it very interesting. At the time, I felt I was not challenged intellectually enough and was not working to my full potential (although I was always pushing my students to do so), so I decided to go to law school. I also like the logic and problem-solving skills involved in the law.