Women’s History Month: A Message of Gratitude For (Some Of) MDK's Influential Women

Hello,

At MDK, our diversity is not only celebrated — it strengthens our ability to provide industry-leading expertise and legal services. The firm prioritizes an inclusive environment where people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences collaborate to make a meaningful impact for our clients and the industries we serve.

In this letter, I’m proud to express my gratitude to some of the outstanding women who help lead MDK into the future. These stories highlight the profound impact each of these women has had on my personal journey at MDK — and they also offer insight into the professional contributions women at MDK make as a stabilizing force during uncertain market conditions and as drivers of MDK’s future goals.

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Ann Marie Johnson: Leading by Example in Litigation and Mentorship

When I arrived at MDK in 2017, I was a young attorney with little experience and no professional mentorship. As soon as I joined the Cleveland office, Senior Attorney Ann Marie Johnson stepped in with training, guidance, and support that far exceeded the expectations of her role. She devoted her time to preparing me for an upcoming trial in a jurisdiction that, at the time, refused to grant summary judgment motions — which required significantly more preparation on her part.

On the day of trial, with me sitting second-chair, Ann Marie put on a masterclass in litigation that rivaled any legal drama. Not only did she secure a positive result for our client, but she also demonstrated what it looks like to merge meticulous preparation with professional excellence, all while respectfully navigating an inflexible opponent.

Over the years, she has continued to demonstrate a tenacity for delivering results while demanding respect throughout the process. Her commitment to excellence benefits our clients — and her embodiment of MDK’s values of respect, collaboration, and advancement has a lasting impact on our team, on the impression MDK leaves as a firm, and on the judiciary’s view of the clients she represents.

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Amy Vallance: Building Alignment Through HR Leadership

In 2023, I was promoted to Director of MDK’s Ohio Practice Group. Practice Group Directors are responsible not only for legal process and jurisdictional performance, but also for team dynamics, mentorship, and performance management. MDK’s Executive Director of Human Resources, Amy Vallance, was instrumental in helping me transition into this new role. She continues to provide invaluable insights that ensure team members are treated fairly and respectfully, and her leadership aligns our firm — and our people — for success.

Amy champions MDK team members for their contributions and brings a measured, poised approach to even the most complex situations. She lives MDK’s values — ensuring every voice is heard, every concern is met with care, and MDK’s culture is preserved so our team members can thrive.

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Megan Spanner: Representing MDK with Care and Vision

After I was named Practice Group Director, I was offered another opportunity — one I had little exposure to in my prior roles. Megan Spanner, MDK’s Executive Director of Relationship Management and Business Development, asked me to attend industry events and conferences on the firm’s behalf. Until that point, I had limited overlap with the RMBD team and hadn’t fully realized the scale of their contributions to MDK’s mission.

Megan leads the firm’s efforts to build strong, collaborative client relationships. She works tirelessly to ensure MDK maintains positive, productive communication with key client contacts and plays a leading role in the firm’s engagement with respected industry organizations. Despite the scope of her work, she maintains a warm, personal connection with each person she interacts with, often remembering small details that reflect the care, respect, and appreciation she holds for others.

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Jenna Rogers: Connecting with Clients and the Industry

Through Megan’s support, I was introduced to Jenna Rogers, a Senior Attorney on MDK’s Illinois team. Since early 2024, Jenna and I have represented MDK together at conferences for ALFN, AISLE, and other key organizations. She integrated me seamlessly into MDK’s external outreach efforts, introducing me to clients, peer firms, and industry and government leaders.

Jenna blends her outgoing personality with professionalism to deepen our client relationships. Late last year, she represented MDK on a panel of industry leaders discussing technology and AI integration. Jenna, Megan, and the entire RMBD team deliver exponential value to MDK — and I’m endlessly grateful to be an informal member of their team.

While this reflective is limited to my personal experience, the contributions of these women offer insight of their significant contribution to MDK’s past, present, and future success. As Women’s History Month draws to a close, the contributions of these women deserve recognition for their personification of MDK’s values, and on a personal level I could not be more grateful to be on their team.

Best Regards,

Richard Sykora

Ohio Practice Group Director