They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - J. Liat Rome of Williams & Connolly

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

In May 2024, I examined a key fact witness and expert witness in a preliminary injunction hearing where our team successfully opposed the Federal Trade Commission’s request for a preliminary injunction to block our client Novant Health Inc.’s acquisition of two hospitals in North Carolina.

The federal district court in Charlotte denied the request for injunctive relief, finding that the FTC had not established that the transaction was likely to substantially lessen competition, or that the equities supported an injunction. To the contrary, the court recognized the potential benefits to competition—and to the two hospitals—from permitting the transaction.

While our client has not been able to proceed with acquisition of the hospitals given pending appeals, it has been an honor representing Novant as it seeks to increase access to remarkable healthcare in North Carolina.

I was also a key member of the trial team representing a leading medical device maker in a trade secrets dispute. The court granted summary judgment in our client’s favor on the trade secrets claims, which the plaintiff had valued at over $50 million.

In response, the plaintiff switched tactics to try to drum up damages for the remaining claims—copyright infringement and tortious inference—to a similar level. We were able to get these new theories excluded on motions in limine. In 2022, the case settled a couple of weeks before trial.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

Always be learning. I viewed everything that I was exposed to as a young lawyer as a learning experience.

It’s easy to recognize big courtroom moments like arguing before an appellate panel or cross-examining a witness as learning opportunities. But I also approached more behind-the-scenes moments like watching a more senior colleague lead a meet and confer or talk through a tricky issue with a client as opportunities to observe and learn, so that I could apply my knowledge in the future.

Being a lawyer requires a vast set of skills, only a few of which are directly taught in law school. Recognizing early on that I would be constantly learning has helped me to continuously improve and expand my skill set. I still approach each day with this mindset and am lucky to be surrounded by amazing colleagues from whom there is an endless well of knowledge to learn.

One specific lesson I learned to keep learning: Know the facts. Law school is largely focused on the “law.” It’s not called fact school. But knowing the facts is essential to success as a practicing litigator, as it allows you to be creative in your legal arguments.

How do you define success in your practice?

People call litigators because they have a problem. Thus, by the very nature of our work, we are seeing people during difficult times. I define success as being able to help clients make the best of those difficult times, and for them not to dread interacting with their lawyers like one might dread going to the dentist (sorry, dentists, but root canals are objectively painful!)

At bottom, I like to help people. Success for me is providing representation for my clients that leaves them feeling comfortable and heard, and like their lawyers helped them achieve the best possible outcome in light of the circumstances. And on a personal level, I define my own success in my practice as being able to use my creativity, intelligence, strategic judgment, tenacity, and interpersonal skills to help my clients achieve their best possible outcomes.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

In 2023, the state of Maryland voluntarily dismissed all charges against a pro bono criminal client I represented through the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

I’ve always had a passion for indigent criminal defense work. Anyone who works in this area knows that it is extremely difficult to convince prosecutors to walk away from matters, especially ones where they have invested a lot of resources. This victory came after chipping away at the state’s case bit by bit legally, unearthing several potential Brady violations, and developing key witnesses. With each small win, we weakened the state’s case.

We used motions practice, for example, to get two of the three charges dismissed prior to trial, even though we knew we were unlikely to get rid of the main count. We litigated subpoenas against parties unwilling to give us documents, ultimately allowing us to uncover incredibly helpful impeachment information on the complaining witness.

When the prosecutor dismissed the case on the eve of trial, I was so proud that my work helped to convince a prosecutor to exercise his discretion and effectuate the right and just outcome for our client—though it would have been a fun case to try.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

From my first experience interning at a solo practitioner firm in Chicago during high school to being lucky enough to serve as a clerk to a federal judge (also in Chicago), I had the pleasure of learning from so many phenomenal lawyers before I even started at Williams & Connolly.

And of course, I work at a very special law firm filled with many very special people who have guided me to the lawyer I am today. One in particular stands out: Liam Montgomery.

Liam taught me to trust myself and my instincts. Perhaps more importantly, when I was a very junior associate, he trusted me. And because he trusted me, he afforded me the space to develop as a lawyer by letting me exercise my own judgment and flex my lawyer muscles, so to speak.

Developing any skill requires so many “at bats.” Liam both let me get to the plate and gave me the confidence to swing. And on a personal note, Liam also taught me that there is space within our profession to be yourself, and to be kind.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman—she’s been one my favorite artists for years. This song in particular had a resurgence recently. It invokes for me the freedom of the open road in the summertime. And “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift. It’s a happier song than the title suggests (to me). And I’m hoping to finally make it to the Eras tour this fall!

J. Liat Rome of Williams & Connolly and family on vacation in Cancún, Mexico.

Credit: J. Liat Rome and Jonathan Hurtarte, Bloomberg Law