Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Alexandre.
Hi Sara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, to my magnificent and loving parents, Fritz and Marie Alexandre, several years after they immigrated to America from Haiti. In Haiti, my father had been a star – an acclaimed chemistry professor, who everyone loved, and who in return loved the people and the land that comprised island life. My mother, a talented and savvy government accountant, was a risk-taker who had other plans. She had vacationed in the US over the years and envisioned her future self and family living in the US. Eventually, my father came around, and they thus began the journey that would bring him, my mom, and my three older siblings, Fred, Marie, and Ketsia to my eventual birthplace: New York, New York! (My little sister, Rebecca, came along a few years later.)
My parents essentially had to start all over again. In the very beginning, they worked extremely long hours in harsh conditions in various low-wage positions until finally obtaining positions as paraprofessionals in a number of elementary schools; they simultaneously attended the City University of New York (“CUNY”). Even though my parents worked long hours and went to school to improve themselves – my parents eventually became certified New Jersey high school teachers, each with two masters (my father, a science teacher once again, was awarded “Teacher of the Year” for his entire county!) – they made it a priority to provide extracurricular instruction to the five of us. My father studied the Bible with us and taught us classics, including Latin, sciences, and mathematics – I already knew algebra at five years old. My mother also provided us with Bible lessons and focused on honing our reading and writing. Their hard work with their kids paid off. My brother, Fred, studied art history at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and became an award-winning artist, and my three sisters studied and worked in engineering and the sciences: Marie received her engineering degree from Rutgers University – New Brunswick and both Ketsia and Rebecca received their degrees from Columbia University; not to mention their graduate degrees. I was no different. When my parents eventually landed work as permanent paraprofessionals at P.S. 161., they were able to enroll me there as well. After taking several tests, I was placed in the top gifted and talented class and thrived.
I loved P.S. 161. and all the individuals that made it great: the best principal ever, Mr. Irwin Kurz, and my teachers, Ms. Barbara Adler, Ms. Madeline Augonnet, Ms. Cummings, Ms. Pearson, Ms. Damone, as well as the school librarian, Ms. Goldstein, who I had befriended during my visits to the school library. I had always loved libraries because I saw them as a getaway. After school, my parents would attend courses at night and take me along. And they always gave me a choice: I could sit in the classroom with them or wait in the CUNY library. Depending on the topics discussed or if there were movies played, I would sometimes stick around for the lectures and even ask questions. Most professors couldn’t resist engaging with a gregarious and precocious little tyke. But I usually chose the library, and not just because I would get free snacks from the nice cart vendors stationed in the hallways; I loved to read anything and everything, and in the library, I was given free reign. One time my mother came to check on me and saw dozens upon dozens of books stacked all around me. She exclaimed, “Sara, you made a mess! You have to put all of these books back!” The university’s librarian came over and chuckled, “No, that’s my job. She can take out and read as many books as she wants.” And read I did!
When I was in kindergarten, P.S. 161’s principal, Mr. Kurz, placed me in “The Principal’s Book Club.” One day, I was called up to his office to read a book out loud in front of a large audience. Upon completion, I not only received loud applause but also a button and ribbon from Mr. Kurz, which thrilled me. I would later find out my parents had been there as well, beaming with pride. Sometime later, I was selected to represent my school in state-wide storytelling competitions. These competitions required the participants to memorize voluminous children’s stories verbatim. Omitting or fumbling words would result in automatic deductions. Furthermore, the competitors were required to keep their hands clasped behind their backs and could only use facial expressions and their voices to convey the facets of the stories or else they would be disqualified. Involvement in these programs was a source of great pride for schools across New York. My parents and Ms. Goldstein served as my coaches, and I received special passes to train. My days became filled with memorizing and practicing: in the car rides to and from school, in the school library, in front of possibly every classroom in P.S. 161, and on the weekends.
Mostly, I loved it because I found it fabulous fun to embody the narrators and characters of the stories. I can remember my father going over the facial expressions and the inflection of every word with me, which I would imitate; my mother worked on my posture, stance, and dress. My siblings would cheer me on. However, there definitely were moments when it was extremely challenging to maintain the discipline required to excel. I was a rambunctious child and occasionally, I would rebel at the idea of standing with my hands clasped behind my back while reciting for long periods. Sometimes when it was time to practice, I would just run away or cry. But after some cajoling from the adults – my father would always say something funny to get me laughing again, my mom would cook my favorite meals to keep up my morale – I would always come back.
And, it was all worth it. The joy I felt for my family, my school, and myself after wins was exhilarating. These wins were unbelievably exciting for me and proved to be far-reaching in its benefits. During a time when schools were seeing their library, music, and art programs reduced or eliminated altogether due to budget cuts, my success resulted in the preservation of my school’s library program, which was accompanied by a grant as well as. I was honored with a celebration and a plaque situated in the library at the ripe old age of nine. I was also given the prize of understanding the joy brought about by bettering the lives of others through the honing and use of my abilities on their behalf.
I took those lessons to heart and, in addition to religious-based activities, always made the service of others a focal point of my life. Throughout high school, I worked as a library page and tutor. While a college student at Yale University, I worked with AmeriCorps, helping disadvantaged pre-k & elementary school children with their academics; I served as a public-school liaison, where I was tasked with assisting at-risk children in the public school system and connecting them with resources in New Haven and at Yale. I also started out as a teacher with and eventually became director of the Ulysses S. Grant program, where for several years, I helped with developing and providing a summer enrichment program for gifted and talented kids from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds.
In all of those roles, I had the honor of getting to know, interacting with, instructing, and leading children of all ages who were from all walks of life. It was a sublime experience filled with joy, learning, creativity, laughter, and awesome field trips. Sometimes, though, there serious concerns that had to be addressed. Showing genuine interest and empathy for those, I sought to help were vital in those circumstances. However, displaying them was only the first step. I learned it would also be necessary to be a persistent, thick-skinned, and, at times, tough advocate for those I served and for myself to get the resources crucial to resolving issues or fulfilling my mission. This mindset would become a critical factor in my eventually choosing to become a lawyer and using my practice to help my fellowman.
I am a firm believer that there “is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” Acts 20:35. So, today, in addition to being a civil defense attorney at Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP, I am also a volunteer with Atlanta Legal Aid and Children Reads Atlanta, programs which serve adults and children from low-income households across metro-Atlanta. In these capacities, I strive to never forget where I came from and to always remember to pay it forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to becoming an attorney and deciding on an area of law was quite difficult for me because I was torn about the direction I wanted to take. I had so many interests and committing to a single area felt like I was betraying my other passions. My father would always tell me that the many choices available to me due to my being good at multiple things was both a blessing and a curse, which in my case was true. These qualms persisted throughout college and law school and my indecision was on the cusp of paralyzing me. I am so grateful to my family, friends, and also for various instructors, who through their encouragement and confidence in me got me over the finish line and finally to my swearing-in, which was performed by the eminent Honorable Robert D. Leonard, II, Chief Judge for the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Just to name a few more are the following: Honorable Shlomo Hagler, Justice for the New York Supreme Court – an incredible legal mind for whom I served as judicial intern during law school; my superb and supportive high school teacher, Regina Edwards; my Yale Professor of Chinese language, William Zhou (“Zhou Laoshi”), who was so thoughtful and fun, and whose excellent lessons have stayed with me; the benevolent and considerate Paul McKinley, Associate Dean at Yale; and Ann F. Thomas – my professor & the Director of the Graduate Tax Program at New York Law School, whose example and encouragement helped to imagine and realize an improved version of myself.
I have been so happy about my choice ultimate choice to become a civil litigator and truly believe it is a blessing to practice the law. I am passionate about it; it is practical, interesting, fun, and deeply rewarding. However, like many professions, the legal field is fraught with difficulties: competing priorities and deadlines, figuring out complex issues in short time frames, dealing with uncooperative or excessively adversarial parties, and carving out the necessary time needed for religious, family, and personal needs. These situations can excite stress, negative emotions, and potentially unhealthy responses that can negatively impact one’s health and, at the very least, one’s performance. I have learned to turn to different measures to help me achieve my goal of balance: mentors and exercise. Mentors are key sources of wisdom because of their vast experience with the work, people, and structure of a particular industry. They have helped to me to identify out-of-the-box solutions or broaden my awareness of a variety of perspectives, which I may have missed either due to my unfamiliarity with a set of circumstances or penchant to be narrowly focused. In conjunction with our work together, Brad Marsh has proven to be an invaluable mentor to me who holds regular talks with me about our cases, inquiring about highlights as well as any predicaments I may be encountering. These discussions dramatically reduce stress and create and reinforce positive frameworks to approach and conquer similar issues in the future.
Lawyering taxes all aspects of one’s self: mental, emotional, and physical faculties. To optimize my resiliency and stamina, I involve myself in activities that, in addition to amplifying and protecting my intellectual and emotional capacities, help keep me physically healthy. Consistently engaging in typical exercise workouts, as well as outdoor activities that allow me to appreciate the beauty and breathtaking design of our marvelous environment has been a source of joy in my life and has helped me to endure and keep at bay the various stressors and quandaries associated with work and life in general.
As you know, we’re big fans of Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers, LLP. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Swift Currie is a defense litigation law firm based in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. There, I work with Brad Marsh on construction, environmental law, and premises liability cases, as well as product liability, catastrophic injury, and automobile matters. We have successfully defended clients, whether they be corporations, government entities, or individuals, at all phases of litigation. Additionally, I have been a speaker and instructor for legal, construction, and insurance continuing education programs for a wide range of professionals including lawyers, engineers, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and insurance adjusters. As a result of these accomplishments and functions, I have been honored with the following awards: “Best Lawyers of America: One to Watch” in 2021 and 2022, as well as the National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40 in Georgia in 2019, 2020, and 2021. During the course of my representation, I make sure to become familiar with my clients, their needs and objectives, and to be available and adaptable as various issues spring up. I wholeheartedly want the best legal outcome for each and every client I take on and endeavor to make my desire reality. I take pride in being a zealous and effective advocate and feel extraordinarily privileged for the recognition I have received for my efforts.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my parents and all of my siblings upon leaving religious services. Both of my parents and each of my siblings are extremely comedic and funny; Ketsia was especially good at imitating voices. I would spend the ride home and the rest of the night laughing until I was delirious. We would usually stop at the supermarket, where my mom would pick up items for dinner, and the older three would get little bags of cookies and chips. I would either ask my father for a quarter or go digging in his pockets for one so I could get five Goldenberg’s ® Peanut Chews, which I still love to this day. We would go home and the raucous bunch of kids would switch into house clothes and talk and joke, laugh, and split the snacks in front of the TV until dinner was ready. Later that night, after having filled my stomach with Haitian delicacies, I would drift off to sleep feeling thoroughly entertained and totally loved.
Who are six local entrepreneurs, professionals or creatives that you know and admire?
I both know and admire the following remarkable individuals:
1. Brad Marsh – Brad is a towering figure in every way. He is an inspiring leader that is highly regarded and esteemed by all in the legal industry. His outstanding legal prowess has led to countless victories that have been met with well-deserved accolades and awards. What is more, Brad has been a wonderful mentor to me and many other young lawyers: a caring and thoughtful listener, who is proactive in providing opportunities, and who is committed to the professional growth and success of all in his charge.
2. Fred Ferrand – Fred is fantastic at so many things: practicing law, serving as mediator, and judging as an arbitrator. And, to top it all off, Fred is a fantastic person who always makes one feel at home with his heartwarming and hilarious sense of humor, which has truly been an oasis for me and similarly situated professionals in the sea of challenges facing attorneys today.
3. K. Martine Cumbermack – Martine is a force of nature that has not only become an industry front-runner in workers’ compensation law but also a preeminent voice for Diversity and Inclusion. She has worked tirelessly to create space for all people to flourish in the field she dominates. Countless individuals have benefited from her amazing accomplishments and will continue to advance due to her dedication in these areas.
4. Doug Gibson – Despite Doug’s tremendous achievements, including winning an extremely challenging case brought before the Supreme Court of Georgia, he is unfailingly humble and considerate, continuously seeking to be of service and freely share his insight to assist others. His confidence in me enhanced the confidence I felt for myself. Soon after attending my swearing in, he allowed me to take lead on the firm’s biggest case which we tried together and won.
5. Tammy Bryant – Tammy is a brilliant entrepreneur who, through her steely strength, surmounted overwhelming odds to become a success. What is more, she has been committed to sharing her vast knowledge in order to effectively train, motivate, and empower all those that have had the opportunity to work for her. I am so privileged to be counted among those who did.
6. Winter Wheeler – I know I’m limited to five, but I had to include Winter in this list. Winter is a truly gifted attorney and mediator. In addition to her professional talents, she is a compassionate and kind person who has willingly provided younger lawyers, including myself, the guidance and support needed to navigate their professional paths.
Contact Info:
- Email: sara.alexandre@swiftcurrie.com
- Website: https://www.swiftcurrie.com/attorneys-sara-alexandre
