Tell us a little about yourself, your practice, and how you came to Nixon Peabody.
I started my career with Nixon Peabody in our San Francisco office, but I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so moving back, joining the Los Angeles office, and growing my practice here feels like a full-circle moment. My family is all in the entertainment business; my dad, Kevin Hooks, was a child actor who later became a director and producer, and my grandfather, Robert Hooks, was also an actor, so I grew up around storytelling. That curiosity about how stories are built and told naturally led me to litigation, where you weave facts, expert insight, and client goals into a persuasive narrative. I gravitated to real estate and construction because the results are tangible-your work shows up in buildings, neighborhoods, and public spaces—and you can literally see progress.
What inspires you?
I have an endless curiosity, and the law rewards that. The landscape is always evolving, and litigation keeps you on your toes—no two cases are alike, and every matter brings new dynamics with clients, experts, and opposing counsel. That constant change is energizing; there’s always something to learn and a new way to engage, from mastering a new statute to unpacking a technical construction issue with an expert. I’m also inspired daily by my colleagues, who are so sharp and generous with their knowledge. The chance to solve real problems, craft strategy, and grow a little every day is what keeps me motivated.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming the first attorney in my family is a personal milestone I’m incredibly proud of. It represents years of work, the encouragement of my family, and the sacrifices of relatives who created opportunities I now get to pursue. Passing the bar, stepping into the courtroom, and earning the trust of clients have each felt like affirmations of that journey. It also comes with responsibility; I want to expand the table for those coming after me by mentoring, sharing resources, and demystifying the path. Carrying my family’s legacy of storytelling into advocacy, while forging my own, is something that means a great deal to me.
As we honor Black History month, can you share one of your favorite traditions from your own heritage?
Storytelling is one of my family’s great traditions. My dad started out as a child actor and later moved into directing and producing film and television. My dad appeared in the Academy Award-nominated film Sounder, which was nominated for Best Picture in the 70s and told the story of a Black sharecropper and his son. My grandfather was also an actor who was active in the Civil Rights Movement. One of his proudest moments was performing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. My grandfather also helped launch one of the first all-Black theater companies in the country, the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). I carry that legacy with me as a litigator—using narrative, clarity, and presence to advocate for clients.
What Black professional organizations have you been involved in, and how have they influenced your career and the communities they serve?
I’ve been fortunate to be involved with so many meaningful organizations, including through opportunities at NP, the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP), Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), and our own Black Resource Group. These spaces expand your sense of what’s possible and introduce you to people who become mentors, sponsors, collaborators, and friends. As someone who is the first lawyer in my family—and whose path doesn’t always look like my peers’—these organizations have offered a roadmap, invaluable advice, and camaraderie along the way. They also create concrete opportunities: leadership training, client-facing programs, and community service that builds skills and networks. For the communities they serve, they drive visibility, access, and confidence—opening doors and helping all of us reimagine our trajectories.
What advice would you give to young Black lawyers to help them advance in their careers?
Stay curious and keep an open mind. Life (and your career) will give you more questions than answers. If you meet each turn with curiosity and a willingness to learn—from your mistakes and your wins, and even from the plateaus—you’ll keep accumulating the information and judgment that guide you toward where you want to go. Seek mentors and sponsors, ask for feedback early and often, and get involved in bar and affinity organizations that expand your perspective. Build credibility by delivering on the fundamentals, and protect your energy—rest is part of performance. Growth isn’t always linear, but curiosity and consistency will keep you moving forward.
What are some of the ways you have been involved in advancing NP’s commitment to DEI?
I’m an active member of our Black Resource Group and currently serve as a National Co-Chair of the Associates Council. I take both roles seriously, and I’m committed to making the path behind me easier for diverse attorneys—at NP and in the legal profession more broadly. To me, that means building community both internally and externally to the firm, mentoring other diverse attorneys, advocating for opportunities for those more junior to me, and helping ensure that our firm is a place where talented lawyers can thrive and see a long-term future.
