Members Who Inspire

Judge Samuel Thumma finds joy in barbershop singing

As Judge Samuel Thumma began to contemplate the end of his career and what the future might hold, he also began to better appreciate what he describes as “the joy of small things.”

Apr 1, 2026 12:30 AM CDT

On a Mission: Dominique Dove calls on difficult past to support female soldiers and veterans

In addition to pushing for equity in the U.S. Army, ABA member Dominique Dove volunteers with organizations that support female veterans. She also raises awareness of issues facing female veterans, including homelessness and sexual trauma, through her participation in pageants. She is reigning Dr. World 2026, which celebrates women with doctoral degrees.

Mar 3, 2026 8:11 AM CST

Breaking the Stigma: Gavin Alexander shares mental health struggles to improve the profession

Gavin Alexander often tells other lawyers that success and seeking help aren’t mutually exclusive. Alexander, the Boston-based well-being director at Jackson Lewis, speaks from experience.

Jan 1, 2026 12:25 AM CST

Farm Aide: Janie Simms Hipp ‘was put on this earth’ to work in agricultural law

At the time of the farm financial crisis in the 1980s, Janie Simms Hipp was in private practice in Oklahoma City, representing banks and handling commercial litigation. As part of her job, she helped clients take people’s homes and businesses. Until, she says, she couldn’t do it anymore. “I just literally woke up one morning, and I walked into my partner’s office, and I said, ‘I quit,’” says Hipp, a 1984 graduate of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. “I cannot live with myself if I do this.”

Nov 24, 2025 9:08 AM CST

Nikole Nelson champions a national model to bring legal services to those without access

Nikole Nelson spent much of her career trying to close the justice gap in Alaska. As the executive director of Alaska Legal Services Corp., Nelson helped provide free civil legal aid to low-income residents in about a dozen communities across the state. But Nelson and her team encountered many other people they couldn’t assist because of a lack of resources.

Oct 1, 2025 12:35 AM CDT

Delcianna Winders has woven a web of animal law clinics and programs

“Becoming a lawyer was a good pathway to channel my animal advocacy, and the law plays a really important role in the status of animals,” says ABA member Delcianna Winders. “It’s an important lever that I could have an impact on.”

Sep 2, 2025 11:55 AM CDT

Fighting Genocide: Catherine van Kampen calls for accountability for crimes against Yazidis

Catherine van Kampen was watching CNN in August 2014 when the news broke that the Islamic State Group had launched a brutal and sweeping attack on the Yazidis in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq. More than 400,000 Yazidis fled their homes, and tens of thousands became stranded on Mount Sinjar.

Aug 1, 2025 12:25 AM CDT

Coco Su helps expand access to justice throughout California

Coco Su has worked with the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s lawyer referral service, SmartLaw, for more than a decade and is now its director. She has been the driving force behind many of its efforts to increase access to justice for underserved communities and low-to-moderate income consumers.

Jun 9, 2025 9:12 AM CDT

Bryanna Jenkins advocates for the Black transgender community

“I saw law school as the natural next step after my organizing and activism work,” says ABA member Bryanna Jenkins, who graduated from the DePaul University College of Law in 2019. “I wanted to figure out how I could use the law as a tool to push forward my agendas for helping the trans community and helping Black folks.”

Jun 1, 2025 12:40 AM CDT

Going Green: Oday Salim works with Michigan Law students to amend city code

Oday Salim and his students at the University of Michigan Law School have launched a new partnership with the city of Dearborn to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for its residents.

Apr 1, 2025 12:45 AM CDT

Danny Ortega has advocated for farmworkers and immigrants in Arizona for decades

For five decades, Daniel R. Ortega Jr. has remained steadfast in his advocacy for and empowerment of farm workers and the larger immigrant community in Arizona. In January, he was awarded the inaugural Impacto Award by the ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities.

Mar 17, 2025 9:00 AM CDT

Silicon Valley lawyer Roger Royse pivoted to health tech after cancer diagnosis

Roger Royse, a startup and venture capital lawyer in Silicon Valley, keeps an eye on technology. When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, “I went to the biotech companies I know. I went to the VCs that invest in that space and people in my business network that might know people who have some information on biotech,” Royse says. “What I found was there are a ton of companies out there working on really effective, cool, innovative stuff.”

Feb 20, 2025 9:22 AM CST

Northern Star: John Choi is leading efforts to redefine justice in Minnesota

When John Choi became the city attorney for St. Paul, Minnesota, he didn’t have much experience with criminal law. “What I found was that a lot of times, the things that happened in these cases didn’t really produce an outcome that I think would have made the public proud,” Choi says.

Feb 1, 2025 1:00 AM CST

Arizona judge who championed domestic violence survivors dies at 77

Judge Elizabeth "Ellie" Finn, a champion of specialized courts who served as a judge in Arizona for more than 42 years, died Dec. 27 at age 77.

Jan 9, 2025 2:54 PM CST

Meet 11 ABA members who inspired us in 2024

In this year’s Members Who Inspire series, the ABA Journal featured 11 outstanding ABA members who brighten the world around them.

Dec 20, 2024 2:12 PM CST