Interview with Brannon Arnold, Partner with Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial
By Mia Gengler
Brannon Arnold is a Partner with national trial law firm Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial in the Atlanta office, where she serves as one of the three Executive Committee members leading the 125-lawyer firm. Her practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on product liability, catastrophic injury and professional liability. Admitted to practice in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, Brannon has represented a broad range of clients in cases involving serious injury and wrongful death across the country. She is also an active leader in her field at the local and national level: a founding member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (GDLA) Women’s Litigators, faculty member of the GDLA’s Trial & Mediation Academy–which is held each year and aims to help defense lawyers become more accomplished and successful at trial or in mediation–co-founder the Atlanta Chapter of Ellevate Network, a global women’s networking organization focused on investing in women both professionally and personally, and on a national level, She is actively involved with the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where she has served in numerous roles on the Product Liability Steering Committee. Outside of work, Brannon enjoys spending time with her husband Tyler and their two children, Reagan (10) and Townes (6). They enjoy vacations with extended family at the beach, ski trips out west and family game nights at home.
Recently, I have had the pleasure of speaking with Brannon about her career, advice she gives to aspiring attorneys, and what it means to be a member of spaces dedicated to women in the legal field.
Since its founding, the mission of WPLSA has been to empower students in their pre-law journey by fostering a community of like-minded, ambitious women who support one another. Central to this mission is self-reflection on why we are drawn to the legal profession and how our passion for law shapes us. What initially inspired you to pursue law, and how has your perspective evolved over time?
Interestingly, I was a Public Relations major in college which is very different than typical pre-law majors like History or English. My mother spent her career in Public Relations, and I thought that was for me. After a few internships in PR between my junior and senior year of college, I decided that maybe a career in law—like my father—was a better fit for me. My dad wisely told me that law school provides great preparation for any career. That gave me the courage to apply, and once there I knew I had made the right decision. Looking back after almost 17 years as a trial lawyer, I think my background in Public Relations provided me with a great skill set for communicating and connecting with jurors.
As a founding member of the Women Litigators Section of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association and an active member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, you have been part of spaces dedicated to supporting women in the legal field. What does it mean to you to be included in these communities, and how has being part of them influenced your professional journey? In your opinion, what are the greatest benefits of building a strong network of women in law?
There is nothing I love more than connecting with women in the law. Young or old, we can all learn from each other. My involvement in organizations such as GAWL, GDLA and Ellevate (a networking organization for female professionals across all industries) has not only been personally and professionally fulfilling, but has also been largely instrumental in building a network of clients who share similar views.
The WPLSA aims to equip students with the tools to succeed in law school and beyond. Reflecting on your own college experience, what is one decision you made that has been particularly beneficial to your legal career? Conversely, is there anything you wish you had done differently when preparing for the next steps in your career?
Don’t be afraid to believe in yourself. As women, I think we often doubt ourselves too much which results in missed opportunities. Sometimes you just need to “fake it ‘til you make it” as my mom used to tell me. So even if you have doubts about your own abilities, still take the chance, say “yes,” and go for it. Sometimes I was better about this than others. So, my advice would be to make the harder choice and grab that opportunity before you can find a reason to turn it down.
Many students enter law school with preconceived ideas about what practicing law will be like. Looking back, what was the most surprising aspect of your career in law? Were there any significant differences between your expectations and the reality of working in the legal profession?
Practicing law—especially as a trial lawyer—is not just a job. It’s a career, and it’s all encompassing. It’s not something you do 9-5. If you love it, like I do, and you want to be good at it, which I do, then it will demand a great amount of your time. Many call it the “jealous mistress” for that reason. Thus, time management, prioritizing and setting boundaries is crucial to achieve some semblance of work-life balance. I always knew that lawyers worked hard, but these tools are just as important as a strong work ethic.
As a successful lawyer and role model for aspiring attorneys, what changes or progress do you hope to see in the next generation of women lawyers, including those in the WPLSA? What advice would you give to students who are just beginning their path toward a legal career?
Stay the course. Many women give up their legal careers or voluntarily take a demotion based on fear of the unknown. The thought of juggling a family and a career as a wife/mother/professional can be overwhelming, but I’ve taken it one day at a time and I’m still here. There will be good days and bad days, but don’t quit based on the mere thought that it’s going to be too much.
Finally, as we consider our own futures in law, we look to those who have come before us for guidance and inspiration. If you could leave aspiring lawyers with one key lesson or insight—whether about the profession itself, personal growth, or the journey ahead—what would it be?
Make time for yourself. As women, we are always giving to others—to our families, to our friends, to our colleagues. We focus so much on taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves. My “self-care” is working out each morning. This way, I’ve started my day doing something for me. If I wait, I will give that time to someone else. Starting my day by doing something for myself helps me be a better person to everyone else the rest of each day.
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